So you’re wanting to go bow hunting….what now???

Well, one of the first and arguably the most important steps is selecting the proper Compound Bow that fits you best and will perform for the task at hand. There are hundreds of options for you to choose from, so how do you get started? In this article, I will try and shed some light on what considerations you should take into account when purchasing your bow.

Compound Bows come in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors, and levels of sophistication and it can be a very daunting task of selecting the right one. Everybody is made different and everyone has a little different taste, so ultimately you want to select a bow that fits the best and feels the best for you.

The archery industry as a whole is a major marketing warzone. One brand says it has all the things you will ever need and the next says they have even better merchandise and that all other brands are sub-par. Don’t get caught up in all the hoopla, just focus on the bow that best fits you in the following categories:

• Hunting Purpose

• Shooting Style

• Skill Level

• Budget

• Size and Strength (your stature and strength)

If you stick with these few suggestion, you should be able to come away with a great bow.

Keep in mind that all Compound Bows are basically the same in-that they all have the same make-up, some are just tweaked a little different than others.

The Bow frame is as good a place as any to start a selection from. Here you will need to determine what type of limb design you want, your choices are solid or split. Solid limb bows are said to offer better torsional stiffness and more accuracy than split limbs. Split limb bows are said to be more durable and produce less hand-shock than solid limbs. No hard evidence has been reported confirming either statement is correct. On limb decision, it will mainly come down to your personal preference rather than a performance factor.

The next aspect will be your axle length. This can be a major decision for you to make, so take some time on this one. There is a fairly wide range in bow lengths but they can be broken down into three main categories:

1. (Under 32") Short Axle Bow

Short axle bows are very popular with Eastern tree stand hunters and those who want a compact, lightweight, and maneuverable bow. These bows are best shot with a mechanical release and require a little more practice for best long-range accuracy.

2. (32" to 38") Mid Axle Length Bow

Mid axle length bows represent the majority of the market and include the majority of today's most popular units. The mid-axle bow offers a good blend of maneuverability and long-range accuracy.

3. (Over 38") Long Axle Bow

Longer axle bows are sometimes called "finger-shooter" bows, as they offer a less acute angle at full draw for a more comfortable finger release, often considered "too long" for tree stand hunting.

The decision here will be yours to make, with no right or wrong picks. The most popular models among the majority of hunters today fall between 31"-34". As a general rule of thumb, the longer the bow, the more forgiving and accurate. That being said, with a little practice, you can be just as good with a shorter length bow.

The Cam design is yet another decision to be made. Do you want single or double cams? Do you want Binary or Hybrid? The main decision here should be based on let-off. Let-off, in its basic definition, is the percentage of the draw weight that is held by the cams when you reach full draw. So, if you have your bow set up with a 70lb draw weight and you have 80% let-off, then at full draw you will only be holding apprx 14lbs instead of the whole 70lbs. This is a very nice feature to have! Practice with a few models and see which one you like the best.

Next, let’s kind of wrap all the previous categories together and talk about power and performance. Speed of the bow is a big seller now a days and is easy to get caught up in, but let’s break it down a little bit. If a manufacturer is selling a bow that shoots 330fps compared to another that only shots 310fps, then the 330fps sounds a whole lot better right? Maybe not, in order to achieve that 20fps more, how much more effort do you have to put in to it? A bow is nothing without its shooter. Without you pulling back on the string and then releasing it, a bow cannot shot anything. If it takes every ounce of strength you have to pull back the string, is it really going to be an enjoyable experience and hunt? The foot per second speed is all relative to the amount of work you are willing to put in to it. And when it really comes down to it, does that little bit of extra speed matter? Neither you nor the deer will ever notice the difference. Below is a list of recommended draw weights:

Very Small Child (55-70 lbs.) 10-15 lbs.

Small Child (70-100 lbs.) 15-25 lbs.

Larger Child (100-130 lbs.) 25-35 lbs.

Small Frame Women (100-130 lbs.) 25-35 lbs.

Medium Frame Women (130-160 lbs) 30-40 lbs.

Athletic Older Child (Boy 130-150 lbs.) 40-50 lbs.

Small Frame Men (120-150 lbs.) 45-55 lbs.

Large Frame Women (160+ lbs.) 45-55 lbs.

Medium Frame Men (150-180 lbs.) 55-65 lbs.

Large Frame Men (180+ lbs.) 65-75 lbs

Along with draw weight, you will need to figure out your draw length. All bow dealers should have a bow gauge to help you determine you draw length. Draw length is another factor that affects the bow speed. The longer the draw the faster the arrow will be. Most men's bows adjust between 26"-30" draw length, which fits shooters from roughly 5'5" to 6'3". As a rule of thumb, every 1" of draw length relates to approximately 10fps in bow speed.

There are several other minor factors that go in to selecting a compound bow, but the one listed here will help you narrow your selection down and choose from among the better bows out there.

So in conclusion, follow the steps below and you should be fine and remember, it’s all about having fun and getting to spend time outdoors. You want to end up with a bow that is the most comfortable and easy shooting for you. You want to be able to have success with it at the range as well as in the field, so pick one that you know and feel is right for you and let everyone else worry about what the new craze and hype are all about.

• Be sure and buy a compound bow that will suite the task at hand. Are you simply using it for target practice or are you going to be hunting wild game with it?

• Keep your physical limits in mind. You don't want to end up with a bow that your not even going to be able to pull back. Go with what feels good to you.

• Price can be a big factor as well, but don't just go for the less expensive bow to save money. There are several quality bows that are less than others but makes sure you are getting good quality as well.

• Talk with local experts or visit a range and get some different points of view on what other archers like and dislike.

• After all is said and done, you want to end up with the bow that best fits your physical limits, comfort level and price range. Most bows have a draw weight range that can be adjusted, so if you got with a lesser weight at first and decide you want more later, you can always adjust the draw weight instead of buying a new bow. Get what makes you happy, you might be stuck with your decision for a while.

As always, Happy Hunting!