Shoals Outdoors got out of the hunting business so that leaves me with Van’s or Full Draw. Any other recommendations in the NW Alabama area?

No recommendations but, what's your primary needs from a shop?

Primarily for putting a new string on my bow during the off-season. Also to occasionally buy arrows as needed and have them cut to my length.

Bass Pro... just kidding! 😬

Just make the ride once a year down to Archery Unlimited. Well worth the trip.

There is also backwater in Gurley and custom archery on south parkway in Huntsville

The people at Bass Pro have always been very nice and helpful to me. When I got my hand me down compound from my son in law they got it all checked out and set-up for me and didn't charge me anything. And their fly fishing guys have always been helpful too.

I know a local place is a better choice for a serious compound bow guy, but I just wanted to relate my experience, that they have always treated me well there.

Idk about Bass Pro, but I can tell you that the employees at Cabelas do not know their head from their you know what. The positive is that I took this experience and vowed to never let another man touch/mess up my bow. This occurred during my first season of hunting before I knew a bow shop was a thing.

These are the other two I was thinking about.

When I want built arrows, I order from south Shore archery. He's great to deal with.

I know this is going to sound crazy, but actually Cabela's has a guy that is incredible. Agree, some of their employees do not know very much, but as far as working with bows, he really knows what he is doing. I talk to him all the time. He is now the hunting and archery lead so he doesn't get to work on as many bows. He fixes bows that Full Draw has previously worked on. Many folks that buy bows from other places, including Full Draw Archery, will take them to him and let him set them up and tune them. He is a bow whisperer. I've been shooting and tuning my own bows for nearly 40 years and I assure you, he really knows his stuff. His name is Taylor.

X2 on southshore archery for arrows.

Twelve Ring Archery in Athens, AL used to get my business when I lived in Decatur. Bought a Matthews S2 at a great price from them in '08 and they set everything up for me, did a great job. Might check them out.

EDIT: Nevermind they are permanently closed now.

If you go to Van’s make sure Joey is working that day. Young guy but knows a lot and has always done really good work on my bows the past few years.