Change~ when to do it?

[billygoat]

We often find much discussion over which bow brand is better. Even more commonly, we squabble over which accessories are more apt to improve our chosen bow brand. I for one have always been a Hoyt man. It is what I started shooting, and it is the bow I swore I would always shoot. Likewise, I hunted with Gold tip arrows, Cobra sights, and Muzzy products… I swore by Realtree Camo, and wore nothing but Rocky Boots.

Over the past year, I began to realize, that something in my setup was a miss. As I increased the amount of shooting I was doing, I began to take note to an increasing amount of erratic shots? Mind you, I have only been archery hunting for about 6 years, so I am , for all practical purposes, a novice. However, I have been hunting in excess of 20 years. When shooting, I would notice 4-10 exceptional shots, then I would fall off on 3-5 shots. As one would expect, I sought the advice of local proshops. Fate, being as it is, would have that the VTECH, which I purchased in 2005, was actually too long for me… way to long (2”). This discovery occurred around mid June, and the reality of “quality” equipment, finally hit me.

After the 2005 hunting season, I was able to purchase a Hoyt VTECH. When I purchased my VTECH (belle), I prided myself in being able to purchase of “quality” bot. A top end bow! Certainly, this was going to improve my shooting, and before long, I would join the 300 club. As all of you know, this was not the case. Instead, my shooting steadily declined. As my shooting declined, so did my confidence (not only in myself, but in my equipment). In spite of having all of the right equipment, I still couldn’t shoot.

So what to do? Here I sat, mid June, with another archery season quickly approaching,. I certainly didn’t want to break in a new bow now (did I?) I considered the options~

1. Don’t hunt (not an option)

2. Hunt with your current equipment (hope for the best, and hope you don’t injure an animal)

3. Bite the bullet, purchase equipment that fits, and bust your tail to get it broke in by the upcoming season.

As you can imagine, I chose the later. I looked at many bows, spent time shooting several bows, and then was fitted to the right bow. I changed my sight, but kept my same arrows… I crossed over to a new broadhead and rest, but wear the same boots!

So what is my point? Brand hype is merely that, HYPE! All of us can find a brand we like, and shoot it well, and 9 times out of 10, it won’t be the same brand. However, every brand is able to make a quality piece of equipment (and most do). This doesn’t change the reality of fit, though. If your equipment does not fit you resulting in lack of confidence in your equipment… you have one option: replace it.

It truly broke my heart, to hear professional after professional, tell me to “sell my bow”. I prided myself in making that purchase, and I prided myself in knowing that the brands I chose, would put deer on the ground. As I look back, I realize a new reality: It is not the brand that defines the quality, rather it is the hunter, who defines the brand. We are all “our brands” best sales persons~ that is why we shoot the brands we shoot. At the end of the day, however, do not be afraid to change… especially when the “lack of change”, may result in an injured animal.

My whole hunting setup, was changed as of July 10, this year. I have invested countless hours into shooting since that time. Arrows (in excess of 500) have exited my rest… and confidence is compounding daily. Certainly all of us, need to no the right time for change… but don’t be afraid of it… you might be surprised with what you end up with!

[preacherman]

very well put!

I did the same exact thing about 2 years ago when I bought my first "quality bow" as well. I was told time and time again that my draw length was 29 to 30 inches. I went to bow shop after bow shop and they were all willing to make the sale, anxious even! But I stopped in a little "off the road" "back in the woods" shop one day and the guy looked at me and said, "I have a 29 inch draw length bow; but I will not sell it to you." I said, "What?????" He said, "I won't do it because it is too long for you and you won't be happy with the bow, and in turn, you won't be happy with me." So he told me that if I wanted to buy a 29 inch bow that I was going to have to go somewhere else. Long story short, I still shop with that guy today. Best advice I ever had. Changed brands of bows and even did it again this year. But it is one of the best moves that I have ever made!

Thank you for the quality post! Great reminder!

[luvtohnt]

I fall into this catergory. This is my first bow hunting season. My fiance bought me my bow, a Mathews. Whether this is the right one for me or not remains to be seen. I know I'll have to give it a go for at least one season before I think about changing. (And he gets the next new bow b/c he really bit the big one getting me this one.) But I'm glad I got to read what you have gone through. Now I can say 'wait. maybe I want to try sonething else' and not get caught up in the brand name hype.

[Guest Finn]

The first "good" compound I bought back in 1996 or so was about 3 inches too long for me. Shot alot of deer with that bow, but kept my shots within 20 yards. Could never shoot past that with any accuracy.

Draw length is key....plus getting that Mathews doesn't hurt

[Tony]

how could you buy a bow that was 2 inches too long and not know it wasnt right for you?

the Hoyts come with adjustable cams why not go to the lowest setting? even if you bought a 30 inch max draw bow, you could still adjust the cam and a half down to 27.5 inches. most of the cam and halfs come with 2.5 inches of draw length adjustment. unless you bought a spiral cam model.

second its not the bow that makes the shooter, its the shooter that makes the bow. having proper draw length and draw weight are the 2 most critical aspects a person needs to buy a new bow. this allows you to have proper shooting form and shot execution.

so you sold your bow and bought a new one? why didnt you just buy new cams for the Vtec. or take it back to the person that sold it to you and tell them you needed a new cam because the ones ont he bow you bought were too long. this would have been a whole lot simplier.

it kind of up to the buyer to know what he wants and what fits him before he goes out and spends his cash. you wouldnt go out and buy 34 inch waist pants if you wear a 38 would you?

we have a lot of people here that can help everyone with any question or advice they need. but it seems many slip through the cracks and buy before asking.

i found out a long time ago that its not the bow that matters, its how it fits you.

Shoot Strong

Tony

[preacherman]

how could you buy a bow that was 2 inches too long and not know it wasnt right for you?

I can only speak for myself in this matter; but mine had to do with never shooting before in my life and not knowing what shop to go to and who you could trust. That is what happened to me, I got stuck. I didn't know what "too long" meant, much less anything about bow hunting. I just knew I wanted to get into it and went and bought a bow.

[Guest youngBlood]

In my opinion, I dont think you should of mentioned the brand names in your post. I know your not trying to bash Hoyt, but it may look like it to some.

If the bow in question was your size it would of performed better. Your new bow shoots better becouse its your size. Really had nothing to do with you changing brands.

Most high end bows shoot like... high end bows. Hoyt or Matthews, if your comfortable with it, you can get good with it. Looks like your happy with your new DRENALIN.

Im lucky enough to have a good shop nearby, they got me squared away perfect when I bought my Vtec.

[luvtohnt]

In my opinion, I dont think you should of mentioned the brand names in your post. I know your not trying to bash Hoyt, but it may look like it to some.

If the bow in question was your size it would of performed better. Your new bow shoots better becouse its your size. Really had nothing to do with you changing brands.

Most high end bows shoot like... high end bows. Hoyt or Matthews, if your comfortable with it, you can get good with it. Looks like your happy with your new DRENALIN.

Im lucky enough to have a good shop nearby, they got me squared away perfect when I bought my Vtec.

I think that's what they were saying. The brand name doesn't matter. I didn't take it as any name bashing. I'm in the same predicament myself. Just wanted to get into bow hunting so I took what I got and I'll go from there. Luckily I'm dead on so far. I actually can't wait to get into it a little more so I can try different bows and know how to compare.

[billygoat]

how could you buy a bow that was 2 inches too long and not know it wasnt right for you?

Easy: the first bow I bought, I bought from Gander mountain... new to the sport, they said... what weight? 60#... left hand... alright... here is your bow...

"we will get you all set up".

And so they did. 29" draw, 60#... all the bells and whistles... and I could shoot it pretty well. So when I went to upgrade, I went to a "professional" bowman... he asked to "see" my current bow, which was 29", he also

asked

me my draw length. Not knowing any better, I stated 29"... Putting my trust in him, that is what he set me up as! Since I had not shot previous to my first bow (and it was too long), how could I have ever known the "right" feeling of a bow, which is the proper lenght???

the Hoyts come with adjustable cams why not go to the lowest setting? even if you bought a 30 inch max draw bow, you could still adjust the cam and a half down to 27.5 inches. most of the cam and halfs come with 2.5 inches of draw length adjustment. unless you bought a spiral cam model.

The bow I purchased had the 29-31" cams (or 29.5-31 whatever ones they were? I had the bow set as low as it could go

second its not the bow that makes the shooter, its the shooter that makes the bow. having proper draw length and draw weight are the 2 most critical aspects a person needs to buy a new bow. this allows you to have proper shooting form and shot execution.

Agree... but if you are not working with an "honest" professional, one who wants to get you set-up right, how can you be certain of proper draw length and weight. I agree, these forums offer up great advice, but many of us (myself included) join these forums after we have already bit the bullet.

so you sold your bow and bought a new one? why didnt you just buy new cams for the Vtec. or take it back to the person that sold it to you and tell them you needed a new cam because the ones ont he bow you bought were too long. this would have been a whole lot simplier.

I did, infact, call the individual who sold me the bow. He was not willing to trade out the cams... but he was willing to sell me a new bow (how generous). So I shopped ebay, archery talk, and 3darchery, for new cams. The only ones I came across, in 4 weeks, were silver (target bow), and they were listed at $70.00. I called Hoyt. New price for a dealer would have been around $110. So I called a few proshops. They would exchange the cams, new strings-buss-and cable, and tune the bow, all for about 300.00... at the end of the day, I would have invested 300 into a 3 year old bow? I sold the bow on ebay for 470... and now have a brand new bow... which in theory, should last my 3 years longer than my previous bow...

it kind of up to the buyer to know what he wants and what fits him before he goes out and spends his cash. you wouldnt go out and buy 34 inch waist pants if you wear a 38 would you?

we have a lot of people here that can help everyone with any question or advice they need. but it seems many slip through the cracks and buy before asking.

That depends... would you walk into Bestbuy and by a computer... I guarantee you it has far more on it than you will ever use

(Bill Gates my have some insights to offer me

). Or would you know what to look for in a Bike shop (

I am quite certain, it would be easy for Lance Armstrong to critique my bike purchase

)... And like I said, I hadn't joined the forums when I purchased my first bow... so I have always believed that I WAS a 29" draw. When individuals talked to me about buying a new bow (here on the forums)... they all were under the pretense that my length was 29... Perhaps we are not asking the right questions before we give advice?

i found out a long time ago that its not the bow that matters, its how it fits you.

I agree completely. I had no intentions of bow bashing... I would proudly shoot any brand bow, and recognize now, how crucial FIT is. In time I am certain I will buy another bow... in fact, I would like to set up a target bow... To be quite honest, brand would have no bearing on the set-up.

Shoot Strong

Tony

Didn't mean to cause a ruckus, Tony... You are a mean shooter... I don't think anyone would argue, that you are the best shooter on the forums. You also have a vast knowledge base to draw from. In addition, you are able to reflect on years of experience. Bottom line, many people (myself included) do not have that luxury. We come to Realtree post haste... and try and "fix" our problems. By then, your preachin' to the choir.

[Tony]

no im not the best shooter on these forums by far and i did not take your post as bashing just cause i shoot Hoyt. just trying to understand your postiion is all.

i used to help out in a shop and im just horrified that people would sell a bow to a guy that doesnt fit him properly.

proper fit is absolutlely critical to having good shooting form. and good repeatable shooting form is critical to getting that type of accuracy all of us are after.

if a guy cant start out the right way, then he wastes time, money and frustration and then having to break bad habits to get to become as accurate as he can be.

its too bad we dont have a bow buyers post here for all new shooters to read before they make there first purchase.

sorry if i came off kind of defensive. i know here in the forums that many times we cant acutally know what the person behind the keyboard is thinking.

im glad your happy with your new bow and i hope it leads you to many successfull hunting trips.

Shoot Strong

Tony