People of ALdeer....I have never bow hunted but I want to give it a try. I have shot a bow but it was 10+ yrs ago and only for about 10 minutes. I would like to start practicing asap and probably wont make it until late this season if at all (which is perfectly fine). What do I need to just begin (bare essentials maybe) my experience in the back yard shooting a target? Round about prices? Then how would I/what would I need to progress?

Thanks ahead for any and all info.

Find a decent person to set you up with the correct draw length, poundage, and peep sight location. The rest will flow after that.

Ask around and find a good pro shop.. Go to them and have their bowtech help you out.. Shoot lots of different brands to see what you like.. Stay away from big box stores such as bass pro.. etc
you can always pm if you have any questions

As stated before, find a reputable shop and have them measure you for your correct draw length. Try out as many bows as you can to get a feel for what you like. Once you have this info, start looking around for a used set up. Since this will be your first bow, I wouldn't drop a bundle on a new set up. Get with a buddy that shoots for pointers. Or, go to a local 3D shoot. They'll be folks there that will be more than happy to work with you. After you log some string time, if you still have the itch, invest in a new set up if you wish. You'll have a better understanding of bows and accessories by then.

Agree with find a good pro shop. They may even have some used bows u may wanna consider first. I buy a lot of used stuff of ebay once you know what you want. Good luck!

Where in North Alabama do you live?

Thanks guys for all the info. I will be going to the bow shop in Athens, 12 Ring Archery, and talk to those guys and see what I can come up with.

Elkhunter, I live just north of Athens in Limestone County.

I don't know anything about 12 ring, they might be great, however, they are going to lead you to whatever they sell. You owe it to yourself to go to 12 ring, then drive over to Huntsville and go to Full Draw Archery, CC Outfitters, Backwater Outdoors, and Custom Archery Center. You should be able to catch all the major brands and some of the smaller ones with those 5 stores. Shoot every bow you can get your hands on and find what works best for you, not what works best for the bow shop trying to sell you a bow. Then if you find what you want, go to archerytalk.com and look at their classifieds. You can probably find whatever you want barely used for 100's off of new price if you look hard enough. Also, if you want to shoot a smaller name bow that is hard to sample, you can PM me and you can sling a couple of arrows with mine. Good luck, and let us all know what you end up with.

RedMan,

I'm down the road off 53 between Harvest and Madison if you need any help. I have a bow press, arrow saw, and fletching jig.

foldemup, I will go to all those places before I buy so i can make a good comparison.

Bowtechdan, I have some old arrows that my dad's friend gave me. They are at my parents house, I will bring them home and see what they like. I will post a pic of them and see if you think they are even worth re-fletching cause i dont know anything about them.

Okie Doke. But try laying the arrows on a table edge or countertop and roll them. If you see wobble, they won't be worth the effort. Or spin them like a top with a good field point.

foldemup hit the nail on the head (along with everyone else). Once you find your draw length/weight and a bow that fits YOU good, you can get awesome deals on archerytalk.com on used set ups. I wouldn't drop the money on a new setup until you KNOW that you are going to love shooting/hunting with a bow. A GREAT 1-3 year old bow on archerytalk will be PERFECT. Most bows on sale there are from the people that just HAVE to have the LATEST AND GREATEST setup and get new bows each year. That is the only reason they are selling a 1 year old bow on there!

Here is what they all look like. I spun them are none were bent. These are Easton 2117 Gamegetter. I also have 3 Easton 2016 Gamegetters, 1 2020 and 1 XX75 1916. Worth it?

Do you have a bow yet? What is your draw length/draw weight? How long are those arrows? (they could be too short for your drawlength). Those 2117's are 400 spine which might be okay depending on what bow/draw length/draw weight you are shooting. The 2016's are 500 spine which will be too flimsy unless you are shooting a kids bow. You need to get a bow first with the correct draw length, then worry about arrows. Don't mix and match arrows or different spine and weight or you will never be able to hit consistently.

Those 2117's may work, but foldemup is right.......get your bow setup 1st. The bow comes first with draw length, poundage. And then you choose the arrow size based on spine (stiffness). A bow with higher poundage and/or draw length will require a stiffer arrow vs a lower poundage shorter draw length bow.

Ok thanks for the info guys. My search began today on the internet. I will let yall know what I come up with.

500 spine arrows aren't for kid bows, Foldemup.

I know....kid's bows, women's bows, and wimpy target bows...lol...J/K.

I've killed many a deer with a 500 spine arrow.