Whats your bow of choice?

[Drycreek]

Started out with a Bear Whitetail II and killed two deer the first year. I said " There ain't much to this bowhunting " and went the next three seasons with no hit, no runs, etc. I left bowhunting for awhile and then my oldest son got into it so I bought myself a used High Country and killed a doe. Since then, an MQ 32, an Outback, a Z71, and then shoulder problems. I heard folks talking about the smooth drawing Elite bows, so I bought an Elite Pure used. I liked it so much, I bought a used Answer. Then a couple years ago I got a chance to buy a like new E35 for about $250 off the new price, and that's what I'm shooting now. It and myself will leave in about three weeks to go and shoot a speed goat ( if we're lucky ) !

Well, things change. I've added another Elite to the stable ! I bought a new-to-me Elite Synergy this spring and I really like it, so I'm pretty sure that's what I'll be using this fall. It came with a single pin slider, something that I thought I wouldn't like, but since most of my shots are close, I'm thinking I'll stick with it. I like the uncluttered sight picture.

 

[Tap]

Allegheny Mountain recurve since 1996. Bracken bury recurve before that. Started with a Bear Kodiak Special in 1970...1st thing I shot with that bow was a running rabbit at 40 yards.
Shot a Jennings T Star from 1979 until 1992 and got sick of the direction high tech archery was going so I went traditional. That's the way it'll stay.

 

[Stickbow Felty]

Allegheny Mountain recurve since 1996. Bracken bury recurve before that. Started with a Bear Kodiak Special in 1970...1st thing I shot with that bow was a running rabbit at 40 yards.
Shot a Jennings T Star from 1979 until 1992 and got sick of the direction high tech archery was going so I went traditional. That's the way it'll stay.

Tap, You ever try Stickbow.com. It's a pretty good site.

 

[Tap]

Tap, You ever try Stickbow.com. It's a pretty good site.

Yeah, I lurk there once in a while. There just isn't enough time in the day to go on all the sites I'd like to.

 

[TrampledbyTurtles]

Mathews Switchback, first an only bow I've ever purchased.
Bought it new my junior yr of high school. Replaced the string twice an the Limbs r getting an upgrade to 70# this yr.
Other than that, haven't had a reason to change come up yet.

 

[Sir Miss A Lot]

Mathews Creed
50lbs@ 28.5"

 

[Bullwinkle]

I have 4 bows and plan to get another next year

Hoyt enticer - junk. Never could get it timed to shoot well. Committed to myself never to buy a Hoyt again

Matthew outback

Mathews Z7 extreme - best bow I’ve ever owned

Matthews Creed - love the size and feel. Takes a lot of practice and good form to shoot well. It’s my main bow because it’s so small and easy to carry on moose and elk hunts.

I picked up and handle one of the new Mathews. Weird feeling bows. Limbs so wide, kind of ugly. I’m wondering if Mathews has lost ground

Thinking I might look at Elite. So many models to choose from. I want my bow reliable, quiet and easy to carry/handle/shoot. Anyone have any advice on which model I should consider?

 

[DocHolladay]

The Bowtech Realm or Realm X are super nice. The Bowtech Prodigy is a great bow. All 3 are super easy to tune and you can choose how you want your draw, from smooth to "course" and fast.

 

[Elkaddict]

Every year, I shoot the flagship offerings from Bowtechs, Hoyt and Mathews. Nothing has tempted me in 5+ years. After 6 bowtechs, I took the Mathews plunge. The Hoyts just haven’t got me excited when balancing, feel, performance and cost. With the Bowtech Realm and Reign and Triaxe all set to 62lbs, I compared velocity, smoothness, noise and vibration. I went home with the Triaxe. I was concerned the shorter draw length would impact my accuracy. Out to 40 yds, it’s shooting as well as my 7” braceheight Invasion and Experience ever have. It also shoots as fast while being much quieter with a more forgiving valley. I figure I’ve got a winner for hunting at typical whitetail/exotic ranges (usually out of blinds). For western mule deer and elk where shots have averaged 50 yds or so, the Bowtechs will still be first in line. If I had perfect form, I believe the Mathews could dominate out west as well. Sadly, form has never recovered from shoulder surgery in 2012..... I really don’t understand why.

 

[HB_Hunter]

2012 Elite Pure. My draw length is 31.5” so my choices are somewhat limited, but I really like the bow.

Just ordered new JBK string/cables. Don’t plan to get a new bow anytime soon.

 

[TheArdentOutdoorsman]

I currently and for the past 6 seasons have hunted with a Bowtech Assassin. Its a super sweet shooter for the price, fast, light (3.8lb), short, quiet and vib-free. I have owned Hoyt, Mathews and PSE which were all nice bows in their own ways but I always said I wouldnt switch up again unless it was something special. I think the new Elite Ritual may be special enough to call for a change of guard in my bow case.

 

[Drycreek]

I currently and for the past 6 seasons have hunted with a Bowtech Assassin. Its a super sweet shooter for the price, fast, light (3.8lb), short, quiet and vib-free. I have owned Hoyt, Mathews and PSE which were all nice bows in their own ways but I always said I wouldnt switch up again unless it was something special. I think the new Elite Ritual may be special enough to call for a change of guard in my bow case.

A friend in Mississippi bought one this year and moved his Elite Synergy to backup position. He really likes it.

 

[Creek chub]

I shoot a 2004 Mathew Q2. I’d like to get a newer bow but this one keeps the freezer filled. Also, shoot VPA broadheads. One piece, tool grade carbon steel fixed blade that fly true and are tough. Highly recommend these

 

[Mennoniteman]

I snagged this almost new bowtech bow, case, quiver, rest, sights, arrows, broadheads, and release off of Instagram for $80. I'm going to use it for a spare. My son has laid claim to my Matthews for the last few years.

 

[DocHolladay]

I snagged this almost new bowtech bow, case, quiver, rest, sights, arrows, broadheads, and release off of Instagram for $80. I'm going to use it for a spare. My son has laid claim to my Matthews for the last few years.

Bargain!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Cedar Ridge]

I snagged this almost new bowtech bow, case, quiver, rest, sights, arrows, broadheads, and release off of Instagram for $80. I'm going to use it for a spare. My son has laid claim to my Matthews for the last few years.

Wow MM that’s a heckuva deal. Congrats.

 

[KSQ2]

I’ve been shooting a Prime Rival LD for 4 years now. I like a longer axle-to-axle bow because I have a 31.5” draw. I LOVED shooting a Bowtech CPXL years ago but had to let it go after having a second set of limbs splinter. If Barnsdale would ever make some limbs for the old CPX bows, I’d track down another CPXL in a heartbeat; but I’m pretty satisfied with the Rival.

 

[410001661]

Excalibur Micro 335.......a good Canadian product

 

[Mennoniteman]

Excalibur Micro 335.......a good Canadian product

They are reliable and accurate, and would be the ultimate in crossbows except the limb width is a little wide for smaller hunting blinds.

 

[RyanPHogan]

I bought a bow and a crossbow about 12 years ago off of craigslist. The deal contained an Excalibur ExoMax and an older Browning compound set to 70lbs with a 29 inch draw. I became proficient enough with the compound, but separated my shoulder in a mountain biking accident. Needless to say I used the crossbow that year. I was so impressed with the crossbow I continued to use it up until last year.

Really wanted to get my son into bow hunting, and thought it would be an awesome thing to do together. I decided I would challenge him to see who could kill a deer first with a "real bow" (not being controversial. I have only ever bow hunted with a crossbow.). I bought him a Bear Cruzer G2 fully outfitted with everything he needs. My plan was to use a 45# Samick Sage I have been toying around with for years. I may still use this to give my son an edge in our little competition. However, I found a Diamond Infinite Edge (basically never used) on craigslist for $100. It had everything.... arrows, release, hard case, broadheads, wax, you name it.

I got it all tuned in. Had to give the arrows to my son which is still useful, but I was not able to use them. Whoever originally shot the bow was only pulling about 38lbs. I now have it set to about 63lbs.

This is going to be fun! I plan on trying to get proficient enough with the recurve.... so far it ain't working. I would not feel comfortable shooting at an animal. I need to spend some more time getting the bow tuned in, but shooting/ tuning the Infinite Edge is fun and easy. Can't believe I snagged it for $100.

One last note... super impressed with the Cruzer G2 as well. I know these are all budget options, but the compounds sure are nice for the price. My son never picked up a bow in his life and was shooting decent groups in matter of 5 minutes. I'm super stoked and hope he really gets into it.