Choosing the right bow for a first time hunter (12yo son)

[Mbm2191]

Hello all, looking for a little advice.

My little guy is now at the age yo hunt this coming season. He has been shooting a cheap youth bow for a few years in the back yard and does fine. And for Christmas I got him an accubow trainer to help him with technique and build his strength up. He's doing really well with it and is using an actual release that he picked out which I plan on having him use on his realy hunting bow.

This weekend we arr going to head to cabelas to look at at bow. I just want to know if anyone had any experience with this?

Just don't know where to start him as far as:
Draw weight?
Any suggested bows?
Any suggestions on other partsl( sights, rests, etc)?
Should we look at package deals or not?

Any insight at all is greatly appreciated.

And to answer 2 questions right off the bat:

Yes we plan on trying to get him up in a saddle or a hang on stand! I had him up in a hang on stand with me this last year a few times. But time will tell.

And we are going to cabelas because we have about $500 in gift cards so that's that haha.

 

[Hunter260]

For someone who’s that young and growing rapidly I’d recommend those super adjustable grow with you style bows like diamond or mission or some of the bear bows. They aren’t perfect for someone who wants to be super into archery but they’re more than enough to let you learn and have a ton of fun and success in the field.


When he’s older (15,16,17…) I’d recommend getting a secondhand flagship bow that’s a few years old. They’re just hands down better than even a new diamond, mission or cheaper bear bow at the same price

 

[Mbm2191]

For someone who’s that young and growing rapidly I’d recommend those super adjustable grow with you style bows like diamond or mission or some of the bear bows. They aren’t perfect for someone who wants to be super into archery but they’re more than enough to let you learn and have a ton of fun and success in the field.


When he’s older (15,16,17…) I’d recommend getting a secondhand flagship bow that’s a few years old. They’re just hands down better than even a new diamond, mission or cheaper bear bow at the same price

Capable enough to ethically kill a deer? That's one of my biggest concerns. I never really had these thoughts as I only started bow hunting when I was in my 20s

 

[lawrence]

Start with a diamond. Lots of adjustability. I still use my and I’m 55

 

[Hunter260]

Capable enough to ethically kill a deer? That's one of my biggest concerns. I never really had these thoughts as I only started bow hunting when I was in my 20s

My wife’s diamond set at 26” draw and 38lbs has passed clean through 2 deer. It’s all about shot selection, arrow and broadhead choice.

 

[NMSbowhunter]

Good advice above. I would think something he can grow into like the Mission. How big of a 12 year old is he? What is his draw length and what poundage can he comfortably handle? If he is big for his age, then maybe let him try a lower poundage adult sized bow. Also, plan to keep the shots close so he can be fairly assured of a good outcome. A good, super sharp, cut on contact broadhead is also a good idea.

Bows in the 35 to 40 pound range can kill deer all day long with a good arrow delivered to the right spot.

 

[Mbm2191]

Good advice above. I would think something he can grow into like the Mission. How big of a 12 year old is he? What is his draw length and what poundage can he comfortably handle? If he is big for his age, then maybe let him try a lower poundage adult sized bow. Also, plan to keep the shots close so he can be fairly assured of a good outcome. A good, super sharp, cut on contact broadhead is also a good idea.

Bows in the 35 to 40 pound range can kill deer all day long with a good arrow delivered to the right spot.

He's definitely a bigger kid for his age. Top 10 tallest kids in his grade, and just a sturdy kid too. Not tall and lanky.
Draw is about 24.5 right now on his accubow and he seems to pretty comfortable with that and draw weight is about 35# at the moment.

 

[archer4life]

With 4 sons we have both, Diamond and a couple of Missions. Either would be a great choice as the adjustability will allow him to use it for several years. My favorite is the Mission Switch which is a little longer ATA. That makes it a little heavier though so that may be a factor depending on his size now at 12. With practice and a good arrow set up you can definitely have a lethal combo for whitetail. And heck with that hang on, get him in a saddle at ground height for a little while and work up from there. Once my boys got a taste of the saddle there was no going back. Now they wear their saddles even on tress where we’ve had presets for years and just use the tree stands as platforms!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Exhumis]

I second/third/forth the diamond. Super adjustable(can even bow fish with one) poundage and draw length. He can beat it like it owes him lunch money and you won’t feel bad cuz it’s so affordable. Solid limb makes them easy to tune(usually) and forgiving(there’s that term again). If he really like archery you can get him into something more expensive and hold on to the diamond as a back up bow. I still have my first one, 15 years old and it still shoots dead nutz. I use it to introduce people to archery and as a back up.

 

[NMSbowhunter]

He's definitely a bigger kid for his age. Top 10 tallest kids in his grade, and just a sturdy kid too. Not tall and lanky.
Draw is about 24.5 right now on his accubow and he seems to pretty comfortable with that and draw weight is about 35# at the moment.

That's good. Sounds like he will definitely have some options. With the whole summer to practice he should be good to go by deer season. I wish I had gotten into archery deer hunting at 12. Best of luck.

 

[Camelcluch]

The diamond is a nice bow but adjustment can be difficult. However, if you plan on having a shop do everything then that’s a non issue. The mission bows are very nice too. We have a diamond atomic and Hoyt fire shot for my boys. While both are good the Hoyt is much easier to adjust draw length and tune. Then again, if buying from cabelas the diamond is a good choice.
Sheesh, that was very non informative.

 

[HuumanCreed]

Both Diamond and Missions make great 'grow with you' bow. But if you are limited to BassPro, a Bear is good too. I agree that any starter bow right now will kill a deer perfectly fine even at 40-50 lbs.

 

[CooterBrown]

My boy has the Bear Cruzer G2 and so far its great.

 

[kyler1945]

Is he the type of kid who's going to shoot on his own, without you needing to persuade him to do so? Is he going to shoot when there's no short term benefit to doing so, other than the enjoyment of shooting?

 

[raisins]

i'd get him the super adjustable/affordable bow that he likes most and is in your price range (one of the ones already mentioned) and probably get a ready to hunt package, unless he already knows what types of accessories he likes and does not (based upon experience and not just looks/packaging....which we are all prey to.....but sometimes especially so when younger)

the accessories can be traded out as he grows in archery

once he is tall/strong enough to get into an adult bow (and knows what he wants), then go for another bow if that is what your family wants

i would NOT get into the heavy arrow/high foc thing with him at this stage, i would get a standard diameter carbon arrow that is a mid to heavier weight arrow based upon wall thickness and that tunes for his bow, then a 125 grain or so broadhead

if he is developing his form, he needs an arrow that should shoot for him based upon charts/knowledge....so if he isn't getting good flight, then you know he needs to tweak his form or adjust the bow....and he isn't dealing with the added complication of having to "break a stiff arrows back with a heavy point" and then get that all to work out with the other variables

a 400 or so grain arrow with a razor sharp cut on contact broadhead will go right through a broadside deer at 20 yards with his setup.....so I would get something like a magnus stinger....perhaps 2 blade

 

[Mbm2191]

i'd get him the super adjustable/affordable bow that he likes most and is in your price range (one of the ones already mentioned) and probably get a ready to hunt package, unless he already knows what types of accessories he likes and does not (based upon experience and not just looks/packaging....which we are all prey to.....but sometimes especially so when younger)

the accessories can be traded out as he grows in archery

once he is tall/strong enough to get into an adult bow (and knows what he wants), then go for another bow if that is what your family wants

i would NOT get into the heavy arrow/high foc thing with him at this stage, i would get a standard diameter carbon arrow that is a mid to heavier weight arrow based upon wall thickness and that tunes for his bow, then a 125 grain or so broadhead

if he is developing his form, he needs an arrow that should shoot for him based upon charts/knowledge....so if he isn't getting good flight, then you know he needs to tweak his form or adjust the bow....and he isn't dealing with the added complication of having to "break a stiff arrows back with a heavy point" and then get that all to work out with the other variables

a 400 or so grain arrow with a razor sharp cut on contact broadhead will go right through a broadside deer at 20 yards with his setup.....so I would get something like a magnus stinger....perhaps 2 blade

Thank you. For the in depth response. Very helpful. And was planning on using stingers, mostly because that's what I use and have had good success.

Is he the type of kid who's going to shoot on his own, without you needing to persuade him to do so? Is he going to shoot when there's no short term benefit to doing so, other than the enjoyment of shooting?

As for shooting on his own, this kid is determined to be the next cameron hanes. He has been watching this guy for like 2 years, I had no clue who he really was until he showed me. Had heard about him but didn't really know. He wants nothing more than to be a successful bow hunter. I don't think getting g him to practice will be an issue.

 

[Camelcluch]

What are his specs? DL and possible draw weight?

 

[Mbm2191]

24.5" and weight is somewhere around 30-35 I think. Trying to work him up to atleast 35

 

[Fl Canopy Stalker]

Hello all, looking for a little advice.

My little guy is now at the age yo hunt this coming season. He has been shooting a cheap youth bow for a few years in the back yard and does fine. And for Christmas I got him an accubow trainer to help him with technique and build his strength up. He's doing really well with it and is using an actual release that he picked out which I plan on having him use on his realy hunting bow.

This weekend we arr going to head to cabelas to look at at bow. I just want to know if anyone had any experience with this?

Just don't know where to start him as far as:
Draw weight?
Any suggested bows?
Any suggestions on other partsl( sights, rests, etc)?
Should we look at package deals or not?

Any insight at all is greatly appreciated.

And to answer 2 questions right off the bat:

Yes we plan on trying to get him up in a saddle or a hang on stand! I had him up in a hang on stand with me this last year a few times. But time will tell.

And we are going to cabelas because we have about $500 in gift cards so that's that haha.

It’s hard to beat a bear g2 cruzr for kids. The draw weight can go down to like 20 lbs and all the way up to 70, and the draw length can adjust from like 22” up to 30”. It’s not even 4 lbs and it’s only like 30” from axle to axle….

 

[raisins]

It’s hard to beat a bear g2 cruzr for kids. The draw weight can go down to like 20 lbs and all the way up to 70, and the draw length can adjust from like 22” up to 30”. It’s not even 4 lbs and it’s only like 30” from axle to axle….

my brother has one of these maxed out in both dimensions, weight and draw length, and kills a lot of deer with it