How often do you buy a new bow?

[Robow]

My buddy buys a new bow about every other year. I've had my hoyt since '97. I love my bow still and and hope it last me until my boy can shoot it. I was just wondering how often hunters bought new bows.

[TnRidge]

I buy a new one about every 3-4 years . I'm not one of the guys who has to own the latest and greatest , or a bow that shoots faster than my current model . I don't have a problem with that , but I just choose to keep shooting what I'm most comfortable and accurate with .
I keep my older bows for backup bows .

[rodboy]

Every year or so. Things are always changing for the better..

[passthru]

Every 2 to 3 seasons.

[Gobblerman]

I've been using a Martin bow for 6 years now. It is nothing fancy the cost was very minimal ($299) concerning todays bow prices. When I purchased this bow I looked at several other high end models. This one felt the best. Last year 2 nice 8 pointers taken with it.

I do have the string replaced every 2 years and have it tuned every year. I was at an archery show this past weekend and the number of people paying $800 to $900 for a bow and set up was staggering. Laying down the plastic, one kid looked like he was 17 paying for it with a credit card.

I know there are some awesome bows out there, however I would think you should be able to get 5 to 8 years out of a bow if not longer. All it takes is a well placed arrow to down a deer.

[Swamp Monster]

Depends how much it gets shot. Bows do not last forever! Parts start to wear, limbs fatigue etc. After a while, you start getting tuning issues, noise and worst of all safety issues. That said, todays bows are built to much tighter tolerances and with much better material so with proper maintainance, they can last a long time. Bows of 10-15 years ago are not in this class and should be thorughly checked out on a regular basis for signs of wear. Most common is axle wear in the cams...they start to lean or wobble and accuracy goes south.....before axle bearings were common, this was/is a common issue.
I'm hoping to keep my 03 Ultra Tec for 5 years, at least for my main bow.

[farmlegend]

This will be season #7 for my Mathews Rival Pro. Part of my wants something newer, but it still shoots great and feels comfortable.

[Adam Waszak]

This is year 5 for the Mathews and I see no need to change at all the bow I had before this one I had for 10 years and shot a bunch of deer with it. Now I shoot it occasionally but not often. I don't see the sense of new every year. Ilike to get used to something that I am comfortable with and keep using it until I have to quit.

AW

[dinoday]

This will be the 9th yr. for my Golden Eagle...I'm thinking mabye next year, as my son will be hunting next year,but I have so many "notches" on this one I'm not sure if I'm ready to give it up!
Newer bow are definately a lot lighter and faster than mine,but it's really comfortable.I had my last one..a Darton for about 8 years.

[john warren]

still killing deer with my 1981 bear grizzly 2, when it stops working i'll get a new one i suppose.

[ArrowFlinger]

This is my 8th year with my Mathews. My boy is old enough to hunt next year, so he may get it. I'm due for a new string. I'll have to check and see if I will run this string one more season, then have it sized for him (and i get the new bow).

[fulldraw]

I can say I have bought a new bow since my first bow in '96 but just a robin hood with the almost 10 yr old bow and it feels great. Just like everybody is saying take care of it and it will last you a long time. A new string once a yr. and cables every other. Keep wax on your string and drop the $40 for tune up. Shoo properly spinned arrows and your will last at least ten yrs. and most bow companies now are offering lifetime warrenties so if you like your bow their really is no reason to buy a new bow. Only if you want the latest and greatest and have the money to spend.

fulldraw

[Swamp Monster]

. and most bow companies now are offering lifetime warrenties so if you like your bow their really is no reason to buy a new bow. Only if you want the latest and greatest and have the money to spend.

fulldraw

Thats usually only on non moving parts such as a risor and sometimes the limbs. Moving parts wear and parts that wear eventually fail and those warranties won't cover that.

Most folks that are buying new bows every year or every other year shoot more arrows in that time period than many others will in 5 years.

[Kelly Johnson]

I had one for 2 years once :D

I had 9 last year, 6 or 7 the year before...I kept one from last year, bought its identical twin in Jan.

I found that shooting a lot of different bows has pros and cons...

Pros are...you learn how to set them up quickly and learn about the eccentrics by doing the work yourself and seeing all the different designs.

Cons...you never really get really really commfortable with a specific bow and never really "master" it.

[Cherokee]

Still killing with a Proline Force XL from the early nineties. I don't shoot in leagues and never take long shots. I would love to race out and drop several hundred bones on a newer model, but other obligations around the house etc. preclude that currently. When I shot Nitron blades last season and had a pass thru figured all is still well and the excellent tasting brats are a great reminder to that fact.

When it breaks I'll replace it. Maybe I'll be absent minded and leave it laying on the ground and run over it:cwm27: Then I'll be "forced" to get a new one....


"Frugal" Rob

[D_Hunter]

Late 80's bought a new Oneida H250
1993 bought a used Mountaineer
2005 bought a new Oneida Black Eagle ESC

I have to make sure I get my monies worth out of them ya know...:lol:

[fulldraw]

Well the martin that I have the string broke on during a league shoot which then the cables took all the strain which twisted the riser. Mind you the bow has been off of warrenty for 6 six years. Called martin up and they set me a new no questions asked. Also know that Bowtech stands behind everything limbs, cams, riser basically everything except axles, bearings/bushing, and string/cables.

What I am saying is that if you buy a bow from a reptuable company like Martin, bowtech, ect... They will probley will replace parts little to no trouble if it is do to manufacturing. We all know what parts on a bow ware out and that is understood that those parts will most likly not be covered.

fulldraw

[Kelly Johnson]

I know PSE is pretty good as well.

Their Mach series are supposed to be "the last bow you'll ever have to buy".
Replace anything that goes wrong....if you have that old Mach 6 from way back and they can't find parts?? You get the new latest mach series.

That's customer service ;)

[Swamp Monster]

Well the martin that I have the string broke on during a league shoot which then the cables took all the strain which twisted the riser.

fulldraw


:yikes: The Risor actually twisted due to a string breaking? I would hope they would replace that, as it does not say much for their risor design. I would have requested new limbs as well if that was actually the case....that would have caused some serious limb stress. Either way, I'd be in the market for a new bow and quick!

[Swamp Monster]

Their Mach series are supposed to be "the last bow you'll ever have to buy".
Replace anything that goes wrong....if you have that old Mach 6 from way back and they can't find parts?? You get the new latest mach series.

That's customer service ;)

Thats true.....unfortunately, they have to build a bow you want to shoot in the first place! PSE Hasn't seemed to do that in a long time though they are getting closer.
Ofcourse the AR line is a different story!

[KalamazooKid]

... shot that bow for about 6 years and just loved it. There have been lots of improvements since then ... speed, sights, arrows, drop away rests, etc. and I felt it was time to upgrade EVERYTHING.

BTW ... I gave the Hoyt to the neighbor that cuts most of my deer up - it was an upgrade for him and I like to keep him HAPPY.

[noname]

I am on my 4th bow for the year, I usually buy and trade with folks just to try somethin differant. Just bought a new Wheeler Monday. I go threw alot of accesories as well rests and sights I'm still trying to find the perfect setup I guess.

[Kelly Johnson]

they have to build a bow you want to shoot in the first place!

Looked at them lately? Venegance, Scorpion, Primos....pretty much anything with the hybrid cams are looking pretty nice IMO. That Mach 12 is a screamer too.

[Swamp Monster]

Looked at them lately? Venegance, Scorpion, Primos....pretty much anything with the hybrid cams are looking pretty nice IMO. That Mach 12 is a screamer too.

This is true....I have shot the Primos, one of the earlier models and I liked it, but it was a bit noisier and had more recall than the others in that same class. The vengance looks pretty sweet though, I would shoot it, but I would have to fall in love with it immediately to make me fork over the cash for a PSE. The AR's are another story, I like them.

[fulldraw]

swamp monster do you have to be a critic about everything everybody says. It may be your opion but at least state that it is your opion.

When comes to the Martin I would buy another in heart beat. It is as accurate as any bow even with the twisted riser. The reason I bothered about getting a new riser was because it was very loud being that the upper limb was rubbing with risor.

I love my MARTING AND THAT IS MY OPION,

FULLDRAW

[Joe Archer]

I have hunted with about 4 bows since 1983.
First bow ever a Darton SL-50 (Still shootable even today!)
Second - A Martin Lynx (later sold to my brother-inlaw and I went back to the SL-50)
Third - Darton 600wxr (all wood, risers and limbs) SWEET bow.. my oldest son now shoots this bow.

In 1999 I purchased my Darton Cyclone and I don't think I will ever need another bow. <----<<<

[Swamp Monster]

swamp monster do you have to be a critic about everything everybody says. It may be your opion but at least state that it is your opion.

When comes to the Martin I would buy another in heart beat. It is as accurate as any bow even with the twisted riser. The reason I bothered about getting a new riser was because it was very loud being that the upper limb was rubbing with risor.

I love my MARTING AND THAT IS MY OPION,

FULLDRAW

If I say it, you can pretty much figure out that it is my opinion since I am not talking for somebody else. I don't think I have been a critic of anything in this thread, (maybe PSE) but pardon me if I clarified your lifetime warranty info, but I certainly did not criticize it.
And if you are happy with what you shoot I wouldn't be so concerned with what others thought. If your happy with what you shoot, isn't that all that matters? (I don't recall criticizing Martin, matter a fact I have owned a couple). If we all shot the same thing, there would never be a need for a discusion.

[Kelly Johnson]

I have shot the Primos, one of the earlier models and I liked it, but it was a bit noisier and had more recall than the others in that same class.


I'll say this and you can take from it what you will...

PSE Came up with the NV system on the limb bolts. They sell a lot of them ;) :D :D

I'm waiting on a Vengance to come in now so I can rob the string silencers from it and strap it on my AR :lol: I should just break down and the the STS but I'm too cheap. :p

Now quit pickin' on Fulldraw's toys :lol: ;)

[Swamp Monster]

:lol: :D :D

[deepwoods]

I've had my Onieda Aero Force for about 11 years now. I thinks its time to to put it out to pasture.

[dtg]

I bought a PSE Spirit about 9 years ago when i decided to get into bow hunting, it was cheap and I figured that if I ended up not likeing bowhunting than I wasn't out a lot. I got ride of it two years later due to the 12" drop from 20-30yrds. i missed a few does over those two years. I ended up finding a Browning Afterburner on Ebay, brand new for $200, i was sold, it is lightening fast and quiet with a stabilzer, limbsavers and string leeches. I'm now shooting 175ft/scd or so and the deer don't have a clue of what the hell hit them.

The funny thing is, I lost a lot of fletchings shooting at targets with that Spirit, it was a tack driver. I could stack arrows at 20yrds. The Afterburner is fast, but my grouping is now at 3" or so, still in the kill zone, but not a tack driver. I'm not particularily fond of the 5.5" brace height as I usually smack my forearm the first shot of the year to practice for the season. A painful reminder to say the least. But anyway, back to the thread. I see no reason to replace a bow, unless it's outlived it's practical use. Although the Afterburner is a ballbuster to shoot, it's done it's job effectively and although I would like a more foregiving bow, I'm holding onto it until I NEED a new one.

[dtg]

Make that 275ft/scd :dizzy: , 175 was about what my spirit was shooting.

[Kelly Johnson]

There's a significant difference in thinking from the Bowhunter to the archer as well here though.

I love archery in general. 3D, Spots, Field, Launchin' them in the back yard...and most of all hunting. But I'd shoot my bow even if I couldn't hunt.

To many bowHUNTERS....the bow is just a tool to get the job done.

Not trying to sound like that's a bad thing...just different.

I think that explains a lot of the differences in how long people keep their gear and whatnot though.

[nky_bowhunter]

still killing deer with my 1981 bear grizzly 2, when it stops working i'll get a new one i suppose.

WOW! I started hunting with a bear grizzly 2. I thought they were all gone by now! I bought a Martin phantom fusion with magnum limbs 2 years ago, I plan to stick with that for several years.

[TnRidge]

There's a significant difference in thinking from the Bowhunter to the archer as well here though.

I love archery in general. 3D, Spots, Field, Launchin' them in the back yard...and most of all hunting. But I'd shoot my bow even if I couldn't hunt.

To many bowHUNTERS....the bow is just a tool to get the job done.

Not trying to sound like that's a bad thing...just different.

I think that explains a lot of the differences in how long people keep their gear and whatnot though.

Very good observation ,Kelly . I guess I fall more into the bowhunter catagory . I'll keep a good bow for 3-4 years .

[rjolenic]

I have purchased two Hoyts (used 01 MT Sport & 05 Vtec), a Merlin for competetion and a AMF Redwing Hunter, all within the last three years. The wife was about ready to hang me.

Since my last purchase, I gave my old Hoyt to her and now she's getting into archery ........ OH NO! :eek: Actually it's pretty cool, watching her build her confidence. ;)

Ray

[victor mi pro bowhunter]

I can pick up any of my old bows and kill a deer.but after 6 years or so i just want a new toy.

[Alpha Male]

1984 - 1988 Browning Black Knight
Disposition: Traded in towards new bow.

1988-1989 High Country Trophy Hunter
Disposition: Limbs delaminated, warranteed and sold.

1989 - 1992 Active Duty...never even saw a bow during these years.

1993 - 1997 Golden Eagle Predator
Disposition: Sold dirt cheap to a kid who wanted to learn.

1997-1998 Golden Eagle Ultra Evolution
Disposition: Returned to retailer for exchange after three trips back to Florida. It ate cables monthly.

1998 - 2003 Browning BloodBrother
Disposition: Limb cracked, replaced by 'Browning' at no charge with an Eclipse (?) as BloodBrother parts no longer available. Eclipse got sent back and replaced with a Tornado...the older style pre-F5. Elipse didn't 'feel right' but was well built.

2003 Browning Tornado
Disposition - Hangs as backup in basement. Have killed a few deer with it, but wanted something more refined at this point in my archery career.

2004-Present Mathews Outback
Disposition - I like this one and will stick with it until it doesn't work anymore.

These have been my primary bows...there were a slough of Bear Whitetail hunters, Martin Warthogs, etc., that were garage sale beater bows. Those usually lasted a couple of years before getting tossed out as scrap.

[Ack]

Not often enough! After making due with a High Country I bought back in 1997, I finally got my new Mathews ordered yesterday. It's going to be a night and day difference between these two bows...cannot wait to get it!