Canadian Airgun Forum

Hey All,

I have recently took an interest in target archery. I went out to my local club the other day to do a little shooting and I quite liked it. I know there are a few archers here on the forum, so I was wondering if you could give an archery newbie like myself some advise. I have a couple questions:

1. I'm looking for a good (possibly second-hand) compound bow. Who are the best brands? Any good online Canadian retail stores?

2. Are there any Canadian archery forums or classifieds?

3. How does a mechanical release for a compound bow work? Would you reccomend one?

Thanks in advance!

_________________
-Canadian Plinker

Are you a left handed shooter by chance?

_________________
B51
QB78
Crosman Phantom
a pair of 1377s
2240
.357
Sigarms 1911
Condor

get a recurve 25lb learn to shoot before you go compound
bad habits come quick and hard to shake

Nope, I'm a righty.



I thought about that... but I'm not too worried. I would rather go big or go home. Plus I have an excellent fellow teaching me the ropes (26 year competitive archer) so I think he'll tell me if I'm doing something wrong.

_________________
-Canadian Plinker

1-best brands out there are (this is not an exostive list but point out the best) Hoyt , mathews , pes, Bowtech . (those are top of the line expencive bows ) some of those compagnies have sub brands for bujet build like mission. for target use from a newbb i will recomand a mission riot as its draw weight and draw lenght is fully customable. as your bow harm grow and you fix your draw lenght.
as for used bow what is your side (dominant eye ) draw leinght . and draw weight ( DO NOT OVER ESTIMATE DRAW WEIGHT it may end up in burcitist and kill archery for you verry fast.) for a beaganer i always starts low and grow from there it's easyer and let the shooter consentrate on form wish is the basic on not hurting your self.
visit your local archery store if you whant to have somthing custom made for you as a bow is often build for a particular persone. thay will help you setup ( for a price) if you did'nt buy from them.

2-there is a forum called bowzone.ca but it's not that great. archerytalk.com is the best whit a big canadian section. you will have to browse this one because it is humanly impocible to folow all tread in there.

3- there is 3 type of release wrist strap release, thumb release (3 or 4 finger hold) and back tantion ( build on the same principle of the thumb release but use the form to release the string.

there is no real adventage to eache type of realase exept personal preferances . back tantion is the choise of lots of competition peoples if you chose that be prepared to punch your self in the face a couple of time before you master the technique.


4- ( i know you did'nt ask) arrows .. arrows are custom made for each persone draw lenght and weight . ask your local archery about this.

5- bow sight - get the longest bowsight you can afford. use a peep sight in string as well.

6- arrow rest - best quality to price are the qad drop away arrow rest i use it on all my coumpond always worked superbly.

_________________
slavia 618
qb78 .177
crosman phantom .177 , Rex 2-6x28 (thank to lauchlin)this scope has died 02-02-2012
dasy 953 , ncstar 3-9x42 compact
crosman mk1
crosman quest 500x

then go home ... get in that club and get courses archery is way harder than it looks .

_________________
slavia 618
qb78 .177
crosman phantom .177 , Rex 2-6x28 (thank to lauchlin)this scope has died 02-02-2012
dasy 953 , ncstar 3-9x42 compact
crosman mk1
crosman quest 500x

Thanks for the great advice Poil! I will check out archerytalk.




I am part of a club, like I said I am recieving instruction from the owner of a shop who is high ranking competitive shooter. I will go to a few more sessions before making any decisions, but I would like to have my own equipment to practice with on my own time and get used to.

_________________
-Canadian Plinker

BEFORE you purchase a bow, make sure it matches not which "hand" you use, but which EYE.... If your left eye is your master (dominant) eye and you plan on shooting instinctive (ie no sights) then it is imperative you get a left handed bow.... My Ex had this problem, and I had to trade in her right handed bow for a left.... and then she had to learn all over again.... When later we took up .22 Indoor I simply taught her to shoot left handed from day one....

Bob

_________________
Dominion Marksman Silver Shield - 5890 x 6000 in 1976, and downhill ever since!
Airsonal; Too many! Springers, Pumpers, CO2, but I love my PCPs and developing them!

Life is too short to be wasted worrying about the opinions of others.

Thanks Bob. Yes, I am right eye dominant/ hold the bow in my left hand.

_________________
-Canadian Plinker

i was meaning mission rally

http://missionarchery.com/product/rally/

chek this one out it's a verry nice target /3d bow brand new it's not to expencive, get whit a ready made kit like the bow hunter pacage.


on top of that you'll need some arrows (ask your pro at the shop for the best arrows for you based on the draw lenght and weight) the trigger of your choice. ( i personaly use a thumb release by carter around 180 $) hip quiver harm guard and a bow case.

here is a smal idea on price of bow and accesory

bow (the mission i sayed on top ) 500$
acessory (rest stab sight and peep) 180$
arrows ( good quality shaft fletched whit point 12) 70$
release (whatever you choose ) from 50 to 250$
case ( symple plano case) 60$
quiver (toxofil or bowing) 40$

that's about it for a grest starter kid that will last years

_________________
slavia 618
qb78 .177
crosman phantom .177 , Rex 2-6x28 (thank to lauchlin)this scope has died 02-02-2012
dasy 953 , ncstar 3-9x42 compact
crosman mk1
crosman quest 500x

Thats great info Poil, thank you. That Ralll looks nice.... good low draw weight too.
Next time I'm at the shop I will ask all about that bow and those accesories.

_________________
-Canadian Plinker

1 Checkout TheBowShop in Waterloo first... Second Archer'sNook in London. They both have online stores and TheBowShop is a great place for advice, lessons, etc... It's worth the drive.

2 TheBowZone

3 Back to #1

_________________
Daisy Red Ryder
Marksman 2004
Finally acquired a Crosman 760!

I shoot a Hoyt Ultra Elite target bow at a 62lb draw weight. I bought it off ebay from a seller in the US. If I remember correctly it was a$1400 bow new but these things tend to hold there value for 3 or 4 years then drop like a stone. I think i paid about $450 for it plus $45 or so shipping. It certainly worth going to a reputable archery store and having your drawlength measured properly as you will need tobe able to adjust the drawlegth to suit you and probably need to have some arrows made to siit that draw length.

As for a mechanical release. I have never shot without one. I don't think i could as the bow string rolls off your fingers and I am not sure that i could be consistant enough. I personally use a thumb release rather than the trigger type, but that is really a personal preferance.

I find it a really quiet, relaxing hobby that like most others is as frustrating as hell. Unfortunately i don't seem to have made time to shoot my bow in 3 years now. Maybe this spring!

Cheers

DaveD

_________________
"THANK YOU AIRGUN SELLER.........................................................SORRY MR BANK MANAGER"
"The bitterness of poor quality lingers long after the sweetness of a low price is forgotten”

Thanks Derek and Dave!
I think my next course of action will be to spend some quality time at my pro shop.

_________________
-Canadian Plinker

I have an Older Golden Eagle Hunter Compound I am thinking of selling, believe it's 50-70# pull, cam along with a few bells and whistles, just not using it anymore.