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Are you happy with your hunting bow?

What is your hunting bow status

  • Like it. Plan to hang on to it for a while or long time.

    Votes: 54 69.2%

  • I just get a new one every year. New or used.

    Votes: 3 3.8%

  • I have multiple ones. Constantly changing and hunt with what ever I am in the mood to use.

    Votes: 8 10.3%

  • All Trad baby! May have a few more than I need. But one go to.

    Votes: 5 6.4%

  • Would love to try everything. But not enough time and money to tinker with it.

    Votes: 5 6.4%

  • I finally broke down and just got a Hickory Creek.

    Votes: 3 3.8%
  • Total voters
    78
I’ve got a couple vintage recurves that I LOVE. A Ben Pearson cougar at 50# and a Damon Howatt hunter at 55# that I dropped from 30’ and it’s become a wall hanger - fortunately it only cost $50.

Last year I got a Hoyt RX5 and it’s absolutely dreamy. I can hit a baseball at 60 yards. My only regret is that I got it in 50-60 # and wish I had gone heavier, though not much. At the time I didn’t realize that it’s adjustment range was so small.
 
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I’ve got a bear legit I got for $400 a couple years ago. I just ordered the new athens elevate a few weeks ago after running around different shops shooting just about every flagship bow I could. That and the new prime where really smooth drawing bows for me and felt really nice. I wanted one of the bow tech cp28 or 30s but that draw just felt awful for me. This will be my second bow and probably not the last but this one should last me a good while. I got pretty serious Bowhunting this year and just wanted something a little nicer than the bear. They’ll both kill deer just as dead but I think I’m gonna have fun shooting that new athens this summer.


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For me, the bow is just a tool and as long as the tool works, there’s no reason to upgrade.

I’ve got a Torrex which is most likely slower, heavier and bigger than many but it puts arrows where I want them so there’s no reason to change. I even use bulk bin arrows and Montec broadheads “gasp”.


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Been shooting a 2011/12 PSE BruteX since late 2011. Haven’t needed to change anything but the string. I have honestly never been tempted to buy a new compound. I also have a Sage recurve from around 2014 that I haven’t hunted with yet but see no reason to update. I have been wanting a Killer Instinct xbow for use in a blind and for my daughter to start hunting. Once I find a bow that I like in a category, I don’t need to change. I’m actually dreading the day that I’m forced by happenstance to purchase a new compound.
 
Yeah, you got me on the trad stuff. I’ve got a half dozen bows now, two that I paid more than $200 for though. I’ve tried to get a deer with my 65lb Herters long bow for the last two years. I think next year I’m going to use the old Bear Kodiak Magnum at 55lbs, I’m just a little over bowed with the 65lb-er and am much more accurate with KM shooting 15-20 yards.

I did buy a Maddog Archery 60” 52lb that I may use in later season once the bush dies down.
 
I've got a mathews halon 32 I bought new in 2017. Bought it the year I got married and had more cash, lol. Now with a 4 year old and one on the way I will be using it for a while longer. Which is great. I've got it set up and balanced perfectly for me. I'm not the type to buy new stuff every year anyways
 
When I got back into archery hunting I used my dads old bow for two seasons (browning illusion). I shot it fine if I kept my ranges moderate. It has a smooth draw. It also cost me nothing. After two seasons I was thinking about an upgrade when a bow tech 360 came along used. After a proper fitting session it is shooting lights out. Given my shorter draw and lower weight (27”/60#), it’s about as much speed as I’m going to get out of a hunting arrow (265 fps on a 415 gr arrow). The bow is smooth to draw and dead on the shot. There isnt anything more I could ask for from the bow so I have no intentions of changing it unless it breaks.
 
First bow was a hoyt provantage rocket. That I used for about 22 years. Then bought a used PSE Vendetta in 2012. And used it for 10 years. Now I have a new bowtech revolt xl in lay-away that I get in March. This will be first new bow that i have bought in quite a few years and I am super excited. My draw length is 32.5 and going from 70 lb limbs to sixty to be able to draw easier when it's cold. So I guess you can say that I am not happy with my current bow. Lol.
 
Yeah, I have issues. My main bow is a 21 PSE Xpedite NXT. Smoothest speed bow I’ve ever shot. I would probably only upgrade that to the Omen but I don’t see a substantial speed difference between it and the Xpedite. I do like PSE’s new cam shim technology even better than Bowtech’s just because it is the most simple system in terms of mechanical obsolescence, there is none. There is really nothing to wear or have to maintain. My only reservation is its long term durability but it is still hidden compared to Bowtech’s system if you happen to hit something with the end of your limb. I do not plan on upgrading this year but I have also started getting more interested in crossbows. Not sure why just did. I want to upgrade the one I used last season.
 
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I have had the same 3 compounds for several years. Started Trad shooting almost 2 years ago. It's taken me this long to figure out what draw weight fits best (45@28) and what type of bow I like best (longbow). In addition, of course, learning to shoot.

Compounds: Matthews, Bear and Xpedition
Longbows: Bodnick, Black Ridge Hunter

My compounds sat out the season, but right now I can't let them go...
 
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I got back into bow hunting in 2018 and decided to update my old 1998 PSE compound. I went to a bow shop in March of 2018, no customers but me :)
They set up a Hoyt, Mathews and the Bowtech Realm for me to shoot. Four hours later I ordered the Realm. I liked them all but the Realm (to me) was smoother with the easiest adjustments. Plus Bowtech offered a nice discount for veterans.
I love this bow and have no desire for a new compound. Plus saddle hunting is taking all my money now.
 
My first real bow was a PSE Marauder (1990 ?) when I got into bow hunting. Sold.
My second bow was a used, 1 year old, Mathews LX (2007) fully set up, from a guy I worked with who got a new one every year (in closet still collecting dust :( )
Now a Mathews Vertix with all the trimmings and don't see another bow in my future.

Once I got into bow hunting serious, I haven't wanted to pick up my guns, I just like it that much. Been 20 ? years since I gun hunted I guess, maybe ?
 
Skunkworkx said:
My first real bow was a PSE Marauder (1990 ?) when I got into bow hunting. Sold.
My second bow was a used, 1 year old, Mathews LX (2007) fully set up, from a guy I worked with who got a new one every year (in closet still collecting dust :( )
Now a Mathews Vertix with all the trimmings and don't see another bow in my future.

Once I got into bow hunting serious, I haven't wanted to pick up my guns, I just like it that much. Been 20 ? years since I gun hunted I guess, maybe ?
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My wife wishes I would be out of tags by gun season. I kinda do as well.
 
Went through a phase where Id pick up a second hand bow or two per season to try. Got away from archery for a few years & opted to make a deal on a used CD34 & have been stuck on the CD 34 since 2018 or so.
 
I'm happy with the 2 main bows that I have. I will be honest that sometimes I do envy the guys that buy new bows every year. But honestly I'm not at a level where I can tell the minor differences. Some can, I just don't have the time dedicated to be able to. I switch between a Mathews Creed and a V3 27 all of last year, and while they feel different, I can't say that one is better. I certainly don't have the skill level to tell to be honest.

But I'm not planning to buy another compound bow ever again. Even if I watch all the release videos, I just don't feel the urges.
 
I like mine...only gripe is just wish they used stainless hardware. I started hunting almost 9 years ago and had 2 bows and only purchase a 2nd because the wife showed interest in shooting.....I kinda feel sorry for the peeps who buy a new 1 every year but it's not my money....scratches add character and it's hard to have an impressive collection of "notches on the belt" if u always changing belts/bows
 
Weldabeast said:
I kinda feel sorry for the peeps who buy a new 1 every year but it's not my money
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From an investment perspective, its not a good idea either as we all know compound bows depreciate incredibly. But then again I can think of a zillion other things that could be worse to spend your money on as well. I got a buddy who works at a local contractor store. If I go in to look for a new tool or something, he's always like..... " I could think of worse things to spend $200 on." I guess that's true. But if you're looking at a bow as a financial investment...... at least compound bows....... they are horrible. Its interesting though, A $1300 bow this season will be worth what next year? To get anyone to buy it you're at least probably shaving off $300 to $400. Some people can live with that, others cannot.
 
I had a youth bow that i grew out of. Then i bought a used bow and the limbs cracked on it so I bought a brand new G5 quest hammer bare frame. I replaced parts as they wore out and now 12 years later i had a limb crack on me so I bought a new mission frame and moved all my current accessories over and will keep this bow until it has to be retired for some reason.
 
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