Ben Pearson Jet Bow - thoughts?

[Tjraley2]

So I’ve never dabbled in the trad thing. I have a hard enough time getting deer on the ground with a compound. But I picked up a Ben Pearson Jet Bow for $2.50 at a thrift store, so I guess here we go. I have a few questions that I know I could probably find the answer to if I dug for 40 hours, but I’m wondering if you guys can save me 39 hours and 45 minutes..

1) Are these bows only for backyard shooting or is it a viable hunting option? It’s a 50 lb bow.
2) It needs a new string. Where should I start?
3) Should I bother with practicing with this thing? Or should I get into a better beginner setup like a samick sage if I would like to hunt with a trad bow next year?

 

[Jtaylor]

I have an old Ben Pearson Colt recurve I shoot a fair amount. The indicated poundage on my bow is less since I think the limbs have weakened with time. As long as there's no delaminating or weird thud or flat feeling when shooting, I wouldn't worry about it too much. I got my string at the local bow shop, it's an endless loop b55 I think. 3Rivers Archery is a good place to go too, there's tutorials on there how to measure your string length. I don't use it hunting just because it's kind of big and clumsy but it would definitely be a feasible option.
I'd probably buy it off ya for double the price you paid if you'd want to sell it
Edit: So I looked up the "Jet" and realized one of my friends has one of these, he found it in his basement of a house he'd bought. They're pretty neat old bows and ambidextrous I think?? Anyways, I think it would be pretty cool to take an animal with a $2.50 thrift store bow so I say go for it. Keep an eye on the fiberglass though for any strands popping up!

 

[Petrichor]

1: if it’s in good shooting condition and safe to shoot it’s definitely a viable hunting option.
2: look up Allen at ten ring strings. He’s very good
3: I don’t know if a sage would be better than that bow. But 50 lb is a lot to start with.

 

[sdorton]

1: if it’s in good shooting condition and safe to shoot it’s definitely a viable hunting option.
2: look up Allen at ten ring strings. He’s very good
3: I don’t know if a sage would be better than that bow. But 50 lb is a lot to start with.

I'll 2nd that Looking up Allen with Ten Ring Strings.

 

[Heydeerman]

It’s a good bow for sure but you might want to consider something around 40 pounds to cut your teeth on. A 40 pound Sage or Black Hunter or another used bow will be very beneficial.