New bowhunter?

[Hardcase]

Ok you bowhunters think of me as a brand new first time bowhunter. What do I need to start from a bow to what arrows, what targets, what setups etc. Remember this is for someone that has never even shot a bow!

[gd3006]

Hardcase,

I've got a bit of a list, so bear with me. ;D

First, find a local archery shop with knowledgable employees. Have them measure your draw length, and ask to shoot as many bows as possible, in order to find one that feels good to you. If you want specifics, try Hoyt, Parker, Diamond/Bowtech, and other big name bows. It's really hard to get a bad one these days (a lot of people have personal favorites, find one you like). Now for the list: this is kind of my "must have" criteria for archery.

1. Get a bow with at least 7" of brace height, more is better (if the guys in the archery shop can't explain brace height to you, walk out immediately) The more brace height a bow has, the more forgiving it will be.
2. Don't pay too much attention to advertized arrow speeds - the deer will never know the difference.
3. Get a shooters release - your fingers will thank you.
4. If you're just starting out, get a bow with a max draw weight of no more than 60 lbs. Have the bow shop turn it down as far as it will go, and build your muscles before trying to crank up the draw weight.
5. Get carbon arrows. They're either straight or they are broken. I'll never shoot another arrow that's not carbon.
6. Get a wrist strap for your bow, so you can shoot with a relaxed grip, or an open hand. This will eliminate riser torque, and make your shots more consistent.
7. Compressed layer foam targets seem to hold up fairly well. Also bag-type targets. Use the foam for broadhead practice, use the bag for field points.
8. When you start shooting, shoot 5 arrows and quit. as your stamina increases, increase the amount of arrows you shoot SLOWLY. If you're fatigued, you'll be developing bad shooting habits.
9. Always shoot your broadheads to determine point of impact regardless of the promises made by the manufacturers to "shoot just like field points".
10. Arrow rests have come a long way. I like drop-away rests, but most of them will work well for hunting.
11. Sights come with different pin sizes. Bigger pins are easier to see, but block out more of the target. Find out which ones work for you.
12. It seems like a lot of things to think about, but it's much simpler than I just made it sound.

And above all, have fun! But be forewarned: it's addictive!

GD