Finding and Keeping a good bow

Still shooting a Bear Whitetail Supreme. 30” 65#. Here in Colorado in the high country not much for shot opportunities above the 20-30 yard range that are decent so this bow has worked wonders and still shoots a dream. Don’t look to change it til gives up the ghost. It works when I work then when I’m off it’s off. Practice and shot placement is what it’s all about. Not distance for braggin’ rights.


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What type of terrain and cover are you hunting in the Colorado mountains that only gives you 20-30 yard shots?
 
I just sold my 11 y/o Mathews Switchback as I bought a Xbow (shoulder). I had it 7 years and didn't shoot everyday, but shot it fairly often. It left my house with the same string it came in with. I expect the new owner to get the rest of his lifetime out of it. My buddy just got a new Elite this season and he says it feels the same as my Switchback, so 11 years of bow technology got us where? Some folks just like shiny new things every couple of years.
 
I just sold my 11 y/o Mathews Switchback as I bought a Xbow (shoulder). I had it 7 years and didn't shoot everyday, but shot it fairly often. It left my house with the same string it came in with. I expect the new owner to get the rest of his lifetime out of it. My buddy just got a new Elite this season and he says it feels the same as my Switchback, so 11 years of bow technology got us where? Some folks just like shiny new things every couple of years.

Most of the Elite line of bows were actually a step backwards in some ways, as well as a step forward. They seem to have stayed away from the speed bows and promoted easy drawing shootability. Good for us old guys with worn out shoulders.
 
In the grand scheme of things, not much has changed with compound bow design, other than past parallel limbs, and riser material advancements. Before I bought my new bow last year, I was in the same boat as you and thought not much has changed until I tried out a new carbon riser bow. Day and night difference between the new Hoyt Carbon Defiant and my 2007 model bow.
 
12 year old Black Widow longbow. Had Widow take the weight down last winter to 50# from 55# due to some rotator cuff issues. I thought about selling it and buying a different bow, but I've killed a lot of deer, squirrels and my only hog with it...would be like selling my hunting buddy! Made up a dozen new arrows for it last week and got them tuned up and ready for later in the week when the temps (hopefully) drop a bit.
 
Will have to try a new bow some time - my old one was flawless on a doe last week, its hard to walk away from something we hold dear.
 
I plan on keeping my current bow, 2012 Elite Hunter, till it dies or I do. I have never liked and shot a bow as well as it. Just put a new set of strings on it.
 
I started out with a Bear Whitetail Hunter also back in early 80's, killed a few deer with it and then traded up to a new PSE. Owned a couple of PSE's and a Hoyt then went back to Bear.

I have a Bear Legion, Motive and Carnage now..they are set up just the way I want. I put new strings on them every couple of years.
 
I currently shoot a 2015 Hoyt Nitrum 34 and plan on having it a while, My previous bow to the Nitrum was a 08 Hoyt Katera xl. And before that I shot Alpine bows, i still have 2 of them hanging in the basement, never know when you will need a back up or 2.
 
For a while, I was buying a new bow every year two. I kept the 4 best bows I ever had: an Allegiance, Guardian, Invasion and an Experience (all 60lb). My boy now uses the oldest two (from 06 and 08) and I use newer ones (we always keep all 4 tuned and ready to hunt with). I’ve checked the latest and greatest from Mathews, Hoyt and Bowtech for the last 6 years and frankly haven’t found anything justifying the expense. I replace strings every couple years and have the local shop throw it on a tuning board periodically. All is good.
 
I’m still shooting my 1991 Hoyt Fastflite. I’ve replaced cables and string a couple of times and one bushing. Still shoots fine. Very forgiving bow. I was shooting a fairly heavy aluminum arrow with 125 thunderheads. Pro staff talked me into changing to carbon arrow with 100gr. Muzzy broadhead. Last couple of deer I shot, I did not get a pass through. I pull 62# which I feel comfortable with. Thinking of going back to the heavy arrow set up. I know this bow is slow but it’s really been a good bow. Anyone have any ideas or suggestions? Thanks
 
Everything now is speed. Fast, fast, fast and faster. The push to shoot a million miles per second. If you've been shooting that set up and you were very happy about the penetration and performance, I wouldn't hesitate to go back to the heavier arrows. Your bow will thank you.
 
Everything now is speed. Fast, fast, fast and faster. The push to shoot a million miles per second. If you've been shooting that set up and you were very happy about the penetration and performance, I wouldn't hesitate to go back to the heavier arrows. Your bow will thank you.
Thanks for the input Buckley. Think I was getting 208 speed with heavy set up. With new set up it’s still only 228. Probably wait till after this season to change back to heavier set up or check into a different bow. I have torn rotator cuffs and am 65 years old. Not really sure about pulling the newer bows. When I bought this old bow you were not allowed over 20% let off to qualify for Pope and Young. I did take a legal P&Y with it in 2000. Now all that has changed and do not think that’s even required anymore. Would be nice to only be holding 20# at full draw. Holding about 50# now.
 
I also have had a Bear Kodak that I first used. Then switched to a High Country American that I keep around as a backup bow now days. I have been using a Martin Jaguar for the last 10 years or so. I have had to replaced the serving and string about 3 times, and the cables once since I bought it. I have tied a few new bows and have not found one that performs better than my older bows do. The only problem I have is getting some of the main parts for them, as the manufactures do not seem to want to supply them for bows over 5 years old now days. They just want to sell new bows that cost way more, and do not work any better in my opinion.
I've always been a firm believer that if it works then why change it. Just do the maintaince as you should, and it will last a lifetime.
 
Anyone know where I could get bushings for my 91 Hoyt Fastflite? Great shooting bow and I purchased it new. Harvested many deer with it and just hate to retire it. Thanks for any help with finding parts.
 
With the many options out in the market, and with many people suggesting different things, listening and reading on all these choices may actually be more confusing than helping one be more enlightened about what bow to get. Many bows are built for the long run, with good maintenance, so it really may not be necessary to be buying a new bow after 3 years of usage. So, you do not have to be envious and always look to get the newest one in the market. In fact, it may also be a good idea to keep the bow you have, and further customize it to your liking with accessories that you can purchase independently. With good maintenance, a bow can be used for even over 10 years, with only needing to change some parts like the string. Otherwise, it can still perform the same way it did when you first purchased it. My search result https://hunthacks.com/best-compound-bow/
I think you should check this link also https://huntingguide.info/beginners-guide-bow-hunting-tips/
 
With the many options out in the market, and with many people suggesting different things, listening and reading on all these choices may actually be more confusing than helping one be more enlightened about what bow to get. Many bows are built for the long run, with good maintenance, so it really may not be necessary to be buying a new bow after 3 years of usage. So, you do not have to be envious and always look to get the newest one in the market. In fact, it may also be a good idea to keep the bow you have, and further customize it to your liking with accessories that you can purchase independently. With good maintenance, a bow can be used for even over 10 years, with only needing to change some parts like the string. Otherwise, it can still perform the same way it did when you first purchased it. My search result https://hunthacks.com/best-compound-bow/
I think you should check this link also tips for bow hunters
 
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