Recommendation for kids bow

My 8 year old son has taken an interest in bow hunting. A few questions.
1) What sort of FPS would be antique to kill a deer? I wouldn't want to take him and just have him injure a deer.
2) Any brands that are recommended or to stay away from. I don't want to spend a ton just for him to not like it.

Thanks!

Well, that's a many faceted question, depends on weight of arrow, broadhead selection, etc. Trad archers kill deer all the time with relatively slow bow speeds, but most of them use arrows weighing more the the common compound arrow, so it's not a question of speed only.

Have someone you trust recommend a bow shop and discuss this with them and let your son be there where they can properly judge his strength, draw length, etc. I would recommend getting a bow that's highly adjustable in both draw weight and draw length. That way it can "grow" with him or you'll be buying a new bow every time he has to have new shoes or longer pants. There are several bows on the market that do just that. Good luck !

Edit to say: Don't be afraid to buy a used bow, especially from a pro shop. New bows lose value much like new cars. I've not bought a new bow in years, because just like cars, some folks want a new one every year and I like to buy used but in great condition.

To add to Drycreek’s post, make sure you know which eye is dominant...even if right handed, if the left eye is dominant it will be easier to learn left handed bow shooting...

Great advice from Drycreek!!! Most states have a minimum draw weight for hunting, usually somewhere around 40 pounds. I bought my god daughter a used Bear Apprentice 2. Adjustable draw length from 15 -27", likewise with the poundage, fully adjustable, from very low all the way to 50 lbs. There are several youth bows to choose from, Good Luck!!!

Minimum draw weight is usual spelled out legally. I started my boys with Martin or Bowtech/Diamond youth model in the 35-40lb ranged. With 85g stingers (7/8” cut)., they killed pigs and deer, usually with an exit. My recollection is they were 300g arrow at 220fps. My proudest moments with my boys was watching them kill there first animals after countless hours of practice. Even though they’re in their late 20s, we still meet in TX every year to hunt pigs.

I will add a method that will tell you which eye is dominant.
1. Spread the fingers and thumbs out on both hands.
2. Extend your arms with fingers and thumbs spread - now move one hand over the other so there is a small oval above the thumbs with the palms making an oval.
3. Put the corner of the room where two walls meet the ceiling inside the oval with both eyes open.
4. Now close the right eye - if the corner of the room remains inside the oval you are right eye dominant.
5. Now close the left eye - if the corner of the room remains inside the oval you are left eye dominant.

The brain receives both images but the dominant eye's image overrides the other eye's image.

Hope this helps.

Wayne

I bought my 7 year old a bear cruzer lite.
Draw weight is 5-45 lb. So eventually he will be able to kill a deer with it.

Most 8 year olds won't be able to draw a legal draw weight. My wife shot a pig with her compound a few years ago. She's 5'2" and has a 23.5" draw length. Her bow weight was 32 pounds at the time and she was shooting an arrow under 300 grains, 100 of that was the broadhead. This combination performed well, she got a complete passthrough on a small wild pig but I would consider her situation to be very close to minimum for deer size game.

The minimum draw weight in Hawaii where she shot her pig is 30 for compound and 35 for traditional. In CA your arrow has to be able to travel a certain number of yards, that would be interesting to prove to law enforcement.

My advice would be to have him work towards very specific goals for draw weight and accuracy. Keep shots close and ensure his equipment is precisely tuned. A scary sharp fixed blade broadhead should be your only option while he's shooting low draw weight and short draw length.

I think you should focus on practice before shooting deer. He's a new archer and have a lot of skills to learn until that.

My daughter started with a micro midas and now shoots a mission and those things fling an arrow,I would bet they are faster than the first compound I started with.

Practice can't be stressed enough. All children are different but until they are truly ready they should not attempt it. My daughter is 10 and has been shooting for 2 years and draws at 28lbs and she is still not quite there. More importantly make sure he (your son) has someone to go with him to teach him what to do. In NY you need to be accompanied with a established Hunter of at least 3 years. Have him try the lawn mower exercise (Google it) it builds the exact muscles used for drawing and holding a bow. So much so that I incorporated it in my workout to this day.