archery hunting beginner
Another archery equipment question?
I’m a beginner and I have the details on the things I need to buy, but what brand of bow works best? I’m also interested in buying an Olympic recurve and I have no intentions of going hunting, I just like the sport in itself. I’m also left handed if that makes a difference on the brand.
(Yes I know this is practically a repeat sorry!!!)
And thanks for your help ^.^
Most olympic style bows made today will outshoot just about anyone. Hoyt recently has gone back into the beginner market. Their 2009 models include the Hoyt Excel, a bow priced for beginner but has the look of an advanced bow. Machined aluminum riser, very nicely made for around $150. The only drawback to the Excel is that it’s only available in 21 and 23″ sizes. That means it’s useable only for short statured people or kids.
Other really good beginner risers are the Win&Win Winstar II, or I think this one has moved over to being a KAP Winstar II. KAP is WIn & Win’s beginner equipment division. The Winstar II is available in 23″ and 25″ sizes, and is fully capable of shooting world class scores. It’s also priced at around $120.
Those prices are for the riser only, the limbs are extra. What I usually suggest is finding a range first. If you’re lucky there will be a range near you, and if you’re extra lucky they’ll let you shoot for free using their equipment, as is the case with our range here in Los Angeles. Shooting range equipment has several advantage over buying outright. You get to start with the proper poundage, very important for target archery, and you don’t have to spend a fortune climbing up the poundage ladder. You also have access to instruction from the local coaches. If you’re in the us, head over to www.usarchery.org and do a search there. Use range equipment until you’re strong enough to get something that will keep you going for the rest of your archery career.
Now back to talking about equipments. Most brands today offer risers in both left and right handed. A few years ago you might find it difficult to get left handed risers from some of the Asian manufacturers (like Win & Win), but now they always make both.
I usually suggest you get the riser that you want. The riser will stay with you forever, limbs change. So, buy a riser that you really like, then, if you can’t find a range with equipment, buy a crappy pair of very light limbs. The Samick Privilege is about $70, I believe the KAP T-Rex is also about that same price point. Then once you’re strong enough you can either keep the light limbs, a good idea as you never know when you might need it again, or sell it towards a heavier pair. Then only after you’ve reached your target weight, you can shell out the big bucks and go for the good limbs. Good limbs nowadays can cost up to $700.
Picking riser, really boils down to picking what looks good to you. They won’t make a difference in your score. The hand fit on the riser is customizable. I took my riser handle, I own a Hoyt Helix, and shave down it’s sides, then I took a tube of epoxy putty and build up the grip angle. Most advanced archer built their own grip.
Feel free to email me if you have more questions.
How to Shoot a Bow and Arrow: Beginner’s Archery : How to Take Care of Your Bow & Arrows
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