I’ve been a crossbow hunter for years now, shot vertical bows when I was a kid/teenager though (25-30 years ago) and I’m thinking about getting into it for real now.

I’d like to support a local shop and I know I’ll need some measuring, adjustments and even some basic instruction on form (I don’t have much experience using a release and never had good form or consistent accuracy) I’m leaning toward one of the Bear ready to hunt packages, so I’d prefer a shop that stocks them but it’s not a deal breaker. Basically, if a guy was looking to spend $1k or so on a ready to hunt setup and a duzen arras where would you recommend I go?

Ive been to fulldraw and while they said there was traditional archery there it was nothing but bows with training wheels. Cabelas has some crumby take downs and currently 2 bear grizzlys and 2 montanas. Both in the 50-55# range.

That being said there may be other bow shops in the area?

EDIT* just seen you mention release so I suspect your looking at the wheel bows. Full Draw is your place. North parkway

Thanks tradbow, I appreciate the input! They’re on my way home so that would definitely make it easy to stop in there.

Full Draw on North Parkway has the Bear lineup, including a package setup I think is less than $500.

Custom Archery is on on South Parkway and carries Mathews, among others.

Both will help with measuring, setup and such. If you need help with trad or crossbows, they can do those, too.

Copperhead's in Morgan City. Scott's a Bear and Prime dealer. And, he's a great guy, to boot. I bought both my Bears, a Status and an Execute, from him. I honestly won't go anywhere else.

Go see George at Custom Archery on S. Parkway.

Great dude.

What brands does he carry and does he keep a good selection in stock to try? I checked his website, but It doesn't have much info and gives the appearance that he doesn't keep much inventory.

Mathews and I want to say they carry Bowtech as well as some used bows.

I actually just called up there just to see if George is in the shop today bc I'm going to pop in this afternoon. My boy is growing like a weed and need to adjust his bow.

Yes! We went in there at 4:30 one day to ask a few questions when my son got a Genesis for school archery. He helped us, then took him in the back and showed him some tips and tricks. I offered to come back another day, but he wouldn't leave until he was happy with the way my son shot. It was almost 6:00 and he closed at 5. Didn't charge us for tweaking the bow or time. We bought some stuff just to spend a little money with him. He won me over big time. We've been back several times now.

Yep. That's Scott.

Thanks for all the input guys, I ended up stopping by Full Draw since it’s on my way to/from work. Talked to them about some options, shot a few bows and ended up getting a Hoyt Torrex package. They got me setup with a release, dozen arras and had me shooting 2” groups at 20 yards in no time. I’m looking forward practicing more and getting some muscle memory built up