I may buy the boy a bow for Christmas. You think the deals come before the end of year OR after the new year?

Depends on brand. Bowtech doesn't release new model until after New Years

Yep. What stinks here is the closest bow shop for us is an hour plus drive. Hoping he wants the Icon. I dang sure ain't spending much more on a bow. I like mine and I could use his as a spare, haha

Got 3 places I'll take him to shoot a few. I have 1 more place to call tomorrow that supposedly may already have some sales going.

Wait until Mathews release their new bows in late November / early December and get on Archery Talk and swipe one of those slightly used Halons people will be trying to give away. I bought my HTR last December, with a QAD Hdx on it, for like $700 shipped. I thought that was pretty good since they were still selling new for $899 + tax.

Archery talk beats the heck out of buying used.

You mean NEW?

I'm not too fond of buying a used bow from an unknown source. To even consider it, I'd have to have him shoot some bows and get a good feel on what he wants.

I just bought 2 off archery talk. Got a Mathews Z7 that didn't hardly have a scratch on it for $300.

Yes I meant new. That's up to you. But you're leaving $4-500 on the table easily.

I refuse to buy new. You have an immediate drop of atleast $500 over the first two years, then it bottoms out. I normally buy a 3 year old bow and hunt it for a few years then get my money out of it.

Funny, I just went on FB and saw a photo of a bow stating it was his 4th shot from a 2nd hand bow he purchased. Pic showed the upper limb folded in half.

Depending on the bow he likes and the costs, I'll consider used bows. It will also depend on transferrable warranties. If he picks the Icon, I'll just grab a new one. I have a few new I don't mind paying for but, if its a bare bow more than $600, he'll get used or pay the difference.

Correct me if I'm wrong but, the Z7 and Z2 are pretty much the same bow, correct? I'm gonna have him shoot the Icon, Hoyt Powermax, PSE Bowmadness epix, Z3, Z2 for sure.

Yep, the Z2 is a re-release of the Z7. The ZXT is a re-release of a Z7 Xtreme.