People buying new bows - YESTERDAY!

[markbouman]

I was at a rather large hunting oriented store yesterday (Sept 30) and was astounded at the number of people (3 or 4) looking to buy their FIRST bow for hunting this year.

I just know what I've gone through (the learning curve) since I started bow hunting 5 years ago. Practicing for months (conditioning), constant tweeking of the equipment (bows, rest, sight, arrows, etc.) and making sure EVERYTHING is compatable and PERFECT.

I also spend a great deal of time reading and talking to people that know a ton more about bow hunting than I do (a lot in this site) - and I STILL feel like a novice but have grown in confidence each year.

Please, if you're one of those folks, get some experience with the equipment before shooting at a deer - you'll be happy you did!

[GVSUKUSH]

That's why I don't bow hunt anymore, I never had time to practice, and if you can't place a shot with confidence that you'll hit the vitals, you may as well go bird hunting ;)

[jawbreaker]

I see that type of thing every year. It's nice to see people that have taken an interest in our sport. In the same breathe it is disappointing to see people take it so lightly that they think they can just buy a bow THE DAY BEFORE and be successful. Hopefully they will hook up with an experienced bow hunter and have a good mentor.

Jawbreaker

[BOSSTOM]

Unfortunately, you'll probably see a greater number buying their first gun on Nov 14th.

[markbouman]

It IS great to see people get involved in the sport and I really do hope that someone can mentor them. Hopefully, it starts with the bow shops making some good recommendations. The timing thing just frustrates me .... hey, maybe they're just getting an early start for next year? :lol:

[Adam Waszak]

Saw a lot of people at Gan Mtn this week buying bow, quiver, arrows and broadheads. But no field or practice tips??????? They must be very confident in themselves. Hopefully they are all clean misses and frustrating enough to them to inspire some practice. Although to play devils advocate here I had a bow break on me while tuning 5 days before archery season so I had to order a new one from Cabelas. Got it the day before the opener, tuned it and practiced with it and shot a deer on oct 3rd that year so I guess we don't know if they are first timers or people who had a spell of bad luck withing the last week. Also had a friend get his bow stolen the week before the opener so he would be one of those guys at the shop a day or two before. I hope these were the situations but I highly doubt it ;)

AW

[bucknduck]

I too was at a fairly large oriented hunting store, probably the same one. Stopped in to eat dinner upstairs and couldn't believe the number of people in line at the archery section taking numbers to be waited on. I stopped in to load up on scent elimination items along with the Yellow Jacket target block so i can take it up north and warm up during lunch breaks before going back into the woods.

[Utahan]

In defense of some of these people buying their first bow, some of them might be planning on not hunting for several weeks yet, and are planning on practicing alot during the interm.

Last year was my first year bow hunting, and it just so worked out that I was buying some equipment the day before opening day. And I am sure that from talking to me, some guys thought "this guy doesn't know the first thing about bow hunting, he shouldn't go out there and try it."

The thing that they didn't understand is that I wasn't going to go bow hunting for another 4-5 weeks, and that I was going practice a lot before I did. And finally when I did go, I told myself that I would only take a shot that was about a 10-15 yard shot if a clean shot presented itself. If not, I definately wasn't in a big yank to get a deer, as I was sure I would get one during rifle season. My first experince bow hunting last year was a planned way to spend an extra few days in the woods before rifle season, not a plan to shoot a deer at what ever distance and at what ever cost. During the season I had alot of good times in my tree stand, I saw probably more deer at closer ranges than I have ever saw before, and I even saw some shooter bucks, but I didn't try a shot because things weren't to where I would have felt comfortable.

This might not be the case with all of the guys buying the bows that you saw, but I would say that it was with one or two of them, at least I hope so.

This year I am still not planning of hunting opening day, because I have more practice to do, but I am closer to being ready for some hunting this year than I was at this time last year.

Utahan

[LReed]

I agree the timing is bad but you don't know what might be behind the story for them to be so late in their decision.

My 15 year old nephew has never had the chance to bowhunt before because he was into hockey and it took up all of his spare time. This year he is playing football instead so he can make it out. Long story short. Three days ago he mentions to me that he'd like to give bowhunting a try. Luckily I had a spare bow that my 16 year old out grew and it fits my nephew perfectly (can you believe that? Kisser button, peep sight, draw length, everything). About all he needs is some replacement blades for some thunderhead 100's and he's in business. I have had him in the back yard shooting every day (for the last three days) and he's on. Fortunately he has hunting experience from last years gun season. The kid took a doe on opening day and a 6-pt on Thanksgiving.

So I'll have the joy of taking my nephew out on his first bow hunt! :) :) Just one more reason to be geeked...........

[ArrowHawk]

I just have to comment on this thread as I was one of those guys last year that bought a new bow opening day.

I was shooting everyday with my Oneida. I had it tunned and shooting great.
Opening morning I had a nice doe come in and at full draw my timming cable broke. I tried everything to get a new timming cable but the soon as I could get one was two weeks(that wasn't going to fly). So I went and bought a new Hoyt completely set up and sighted in.

Within 2 weeks of having that new bow I killed 2 deer.

What I'm getting at is those people may have a reason like mine and I have also been shooting for some time and know what I can handle. I also hunted with one pin and knew my limit.

Arrow

[Swamphound]

I don't think it is a too big of deal. Many guys don't bow hunt until the rut starts anyway. Personally I never go out until right around Halloween...usually to warm and I don't want to have one spoil If I have to let it sit over night.

[wolfgang510]

I think its too bad. I'm sure a few have good reasons for waiting but most are too lazy to practice and are not into the sport like most of us on this sight. I don't know if its a good or bad thing but it is entirely possible these days to buy a bow one day and be shooting pretty good at 20yds the very next. I don't think people without time to buy a bow ahead of time and practice will put in as much stand time as other people also.

[Robert W. McCoy Jr]

I usually buy all my new bows right before the season starts.

I did put one in lay away this year just a couple weeks ago.

But I don't hunt with it the first year.

It takes me a while to warm up to a new bow so I like to shoot them for a while to make sure I like them before I hunt with them.

[east bay ed]

i sold two bows yesterday and i am sure we will sell a few more before the weekend is up.
most are to people who already have a bow and have been shooting, some will be new to the sport. we make sure they are sighted in and tuned before they leave, but with some guys you still scratch your head.

in 1989 i bought a new bow on october 3rd after i got out of the woods that evening. went back to camp and set it up, hunted in the morning with my old bow then at lunch i switched the sight over and shot the new bow. killed a doe that night. double lung at 25 yrds and she didn't go 75 yrds.

[skulldugary]

Unfortunately, you'll probably see a greater number buying their first gun on Nov 14th.



Yeah and sighting them in opening morning at 7:45 where they are going to hunt, but then again you don't know the story as to why...

[karaba23]

I am one of those folks that bought a bow for the first time this week. My father-in-law is a seasoned bow hunter and has gladly taken an interest in mentoring me. I can honestly say that I will most likely not go bow hunting this year as I feel I need all the practice I can get before drawing down on anything other than paper or foam. If I do make it in the field it will be to learn tracking and other field craft.

I will say that the few times I have had a chance to take some shots this week have been amazing. The bow I picked up is a Mathews Outback that has been an absolute blast to shoot. Thanks for reading the ramblings of a first timer.

[markbouman]

.... I know there's many folks on this site that could/do go out and buy a bow, set it up, and could hunt the next day. The only ones I question are the people that go buy their FIRST BOW and then try to hunt immediately.

[PITBULL]

On Sept. 28, 1985. I was in the process of my daily practice when the cable snaped off at the wheel of my old Darton SL-50. :( In a panic I tried to get it fixed. no way 2-3 weeks to have wheels and cables sent from the factory. I brought home a new Darton that night. With a tear in my eye I took the sights,quiver, and rest and transfered them to the new bow. I had it sighted in the next day and was shooting better groups than ever, Then like a sign I Robinhooded an arrow. :cool: On Oct 2nd I took a large doe at 30 yards. :p I have taken 8 Bucks and 5 Does with this bow and still use it today. When it breaks the way luck go's it will be around the first of October, and I'll be one of those in line. :bash:

It seems unlikely that everyone getting a bow just before the season starts is there because of a equipment failer. I just hope they have shot before, and get some practice in with the new bow before heading to the woods.

[Joe Archer]

I think that if you use everything that modern archery technology has to offer (efficient bows, peep sight, release aid... etc.) and you have someone experienced to help you with shooting technique, form, and shot selection that you could probably could learn to shoot this week and hunt next week. I just helped someone set up a bow and shoot for the first time the last week in September. She shoots 3 inch groups (or less) from 20 yards with broadheads. Because of her draw weight, I had her set up for a 10 yard (broadside) shot last weekend. She hunted, spotted one spike (facing her) and didn't get a shot. Her archery skills are just fine? Are her hunting skills? I guess we will find out. The bottom line is that I believe EVERYONE has to go through the pains of spooking a few deer before they learn how to shoot at close distances. In my opinion, if you can shoot decently you shouldn't hesitate getting out into the woods. There is still much to be gained and learned. <----<<<

[bucknduck]

First of all, I would like to also welcome those who are new to archery and hope that your new bow will bring you many years of hunting success.
It's true that you might be able to get the bow you just purchased last week tuned and shooting descent groups a day or 2 before opening day, and you can probably hit a dime at 20 yards but when your bow hunting there are no marked distances. So you have to take a good guestimate on how many yards away that deer is, and that comes with plenty of practice. Add to the fact that you are shooting from a tree 20 feet up and probably have not had a chance to shoot from an elevated position and make the necessary adjustments to shoot the same 20 yard shot. A lot of serious bow hunters practice year round in hopes of shooting 1 arrow during bow season. Take the new bow that you just purchased and spend the next year practicing. You owe it to the deer to make a clean and humane kill.

[WALLEYEvision]

Unfortunately, you'll probably see a greater number buying their first gun on Nov 14th.

:yeahthat:

[baydog2]

Must have been me. Bought my new PSE Firestorm Lite September 26th. with intention of not hunting with it till November. I set this bow up and shot it every morning except a few days since purchased. Well I'm shooting it better than my old Golden Eagle Formula 3-d. Keeping arrows within a tight group at twenty and twenty five. Carbons sure do fly flatter than the old alunimum ones. I'm now confidate that the new bow is better shooting than my old one. Heck with waiting, now all I need is the deer to cooperate. ;) Baydog2