what do you do when looking to buy a new bow?

[mazzgolf]

I think it might be time. I'm still hunting with the first bow (compound) that I bought, probably close to 10 years now. I still love this bow, and it kills things I shoot at. But I think I want to look at maybe getting a new one for next season (go shopping in the spring or summer when bow shops aren't busy).

How do people go about shopping for bows?

Last time I did this, I just researched everything online and when I picked something I thought I would like, I just went to a shop and asked them to order it and set it up for me. This time around, I was thinking of calling up a shop (Cheyenne Mountain, most likely) and ask if they could carve out some time for me to come over and just try a bunch. Not sure if shops "make reservations" like that.. do they?

I'm a lefty, and I have no idea if shops have a good number of left-handed bows to try out. Plus I shoot low-poundage - not sure if many bows today can be easily configured for 50#... seems like so many are minimum of 60#. So I'm not even sure if it's worth it to go to a shop, if they only have a couple models to shoot.

 

[LanceinNJ]

If you are OK shooting a 10 year old bow now, (I am as well BTW), then what I do is look for new bows from last years models. Much like the golf equipment I buy, I refuse to pay top dollar when the improvement from year to year is negligible. Shoot as many as you can, and something will jump out at you. Just my .02.

[joeyguts]

Maybe go to the show in Harrisburg. I’ve never gone, but I’m sure they have bows you can try and see which one you like.

[Booner]

Go to Lancaster. They'll probably  have lefty bows in stock to shoot. 

Shoot them all. Buy what you like. They basically  all the same. 

Don't fall for the " was dead in my hand " nonsense. I get nauseous  when I hear that. 

They all good. Just different. 

So drive ford's. Some drive chevy. They all get you there

[BowhunterNJ]

Go to a shop, tell them to just start handing you bows within your budget.  Don't look at the name or the price, just shoot it and keep a mental tab on what felt best.  Rinse, repeat until you narrow down on your top 2-3 and then pick from them!

[BHC]

Compound bow is a very personal choice

Handle each on your list.

When I shot a compound..

I like a 30" axel to axel

The grip had to be comfortable,  PSE was never comfortable for me, Hoyt sometimes in the mid 90s changed the grip and it  wasn't for me anymore shot hoyt for many years prior. Mathews I ended up loving, but all of the major players make great bows these days

[Trophy8]

Best is try a few models and see what you like. Before going to a shop, call and see what they have for left handed bows.

They may be somewhat similar is design but there are major differences in:

Draw cycle 

Valley

Wall.

Draw length can vary depending on manufacturer.  Don't get caught up with speed numbers, way more important to find a bow YOU feel good with.

 

[nmc02]

Simple..............shoot a bunch of bows and buy the one that feels best in your hand

[Devil Horns]

Lancaster is a great idea. They will probably have the best selection. Try the Rack Shack too. 

[KBfishing]

Save a ton of money. Bows are freaking expensive now a days. 

[Devil Horns]

If you find something you like, search the ArcheryTalk classifieds. May save a few hundred bucks. 

[Booner]

29 minutes ago, Devil Horns said:

If you find something you like, search the ArcheryTalk classifieds. May save a few hundred bucks. 

I'm in the market for a new bow since my son took my Bowtech. My plan is to shoot some bows i like the specs on then go to Archerytalk to buy one. 

Some of those guys are nuts. $1800 for the bow and they shoot 25 arrows out of it. They either don't like it or they read somewhere  the other bow has " no hand shock " and sell the bow for half price to buy the new better bow. SMH. 

The thing that's really crazy is the price of accessories. Hunting sights now average $3-400. Rest if it has a brand logo little cheaper than the sight. Quivers same boat. 

I remember walking out of a bow shop for a thousand. Now it's $2500-3000

That's what's crazy. Bows and eggs. Almost same price

[flukebelly]

I only buy my bows used off of archery talk . You can get last years flagship bow that someone had to have new, for about 4-6 hundred less than they paid after they used it for one season. Try them out in a store , then buy from AT . The only real catch is you will need to be able to tune the bow yourself, or take it to a shop and listen to them say…..you should have bought it here. You should have no problem finding 50 pounders, but the choice does slim down for lefties. If all else fails, i agree with going to Lancaster. 

[JRL]

I’m a lefty as well, and have bought my last 5 bows from Cheyenne Mt. 

They have a handful of the popular brands in left handed, so you can have the opportunity to shoot a few different bows 

What they won’t have is color options in LH models. For example, I like “black ops” (all black), so I’m always stuck ordering after I decide which bow I want to buy. 
It’s no big deal, but you won’t be walking out with one that day if you go that route. 

Do everything you can to get Vinny when you go there.  He’s extremely knowledgeable and is second to none when it comes to setting up a bow, from assembling all accessories to tuning.  He will never let you walk out of there unless your bow is perfectly tuned, which is critical. 

Again as others stated…. Keep it simple 

Shoot a few and go with the one that feels best in your hands 

Good luck ! 

[jerseyboy32]

Lefty bows are hard to find. I was looking last yr. A lot of low end but higher end no. I went from north to south nj   The lefties in stock is like a stepping stone. A idea. Flagship bows are gonna be preferred  to order   I got lucky and got a left over as in a lefty also.  What a pita to find a left bow I like and to try was hard