Getting Back into Bowhunting Questions

[Guest ckcranch]

I am just getting back into bowhunting after about 10 years since I last shot my bow. I haven't done much deer hunting at all since high school, I just didn't have the time. This past season I did some gun hunting and got 3 deer and I'm hooked again. I wanted to get backing to bowhunting because of the early and late season advantage, and just because I enjoy shooting a bow. Last Friday I bought a PSE Stinger and I love this bow. In the 5 days I've had it I have shot about 200 arrows. I am already shooting groups in a 3 inch diameter, but I still have some questions.

My first question is, I am shooting at 70lbs right now, should I stay at that poundage or come down some? I handle the draw weight fine, but is it necessary to have it that high? I have heard that this much draw weight can wear-out your bow faster. Also will it be much more quiet if I come down with the draw weight some?

Second question, I am shooting 100 grain field points right now and need to start shooting some broadhead so I can do some hog hunting; what kind of broadheads would ya'll recommend? I use to shoot Thunderheads but that was 10 years ago, I don't even know if they make them anymore, and I only shot them because my Dad did. I know that good shot placement is more important than the kind of broadhead you use, but I still would like to shoot good broadheads in the case of a poor shot.

Any opinions or tips for these questions I have or on any other bowhunting topic would be welcomed and appreciated.

Thanks,

Charlie

[Bowtech_archer07]

I had a PSE Beast as my first bow and loved it. As for your draw weight.. as long as you are 100% positive that you can draw that with your hunting clothes and in any hunting situation. I don't know about it wearing out the bow faster, but I wouldn't think so. I shoot between 65-70 pounds and my bow is quiet as well. If your bow is loud you could try string silencers or limb saver silencers. Reducing your draw weight can reduce the noise, but if you are comfortable shooting that weight, then I don't see any reason to drop it.

About your broadheads.. I shoot Muzzy 100 gr. 3 blade fixed broadheads and love them. Really, it's a matter of personal preference and what kind of broadheads your bow shoots accurately.

Since your just getting back into shooting, you seem to be doing the right thing by shooting alot! Just remember, form, form, form!! That is the most important thing with archery. I've said this another post as well, if you're having a bad day shooting, walk away. Don't fight through it, you could damage your form, your confidence, or your bow, if you decide to see how far it will fly. LOL.

Also, welcome to the forums and good luck hunting!

[Dubie]

I wouldn't drop the draw weight. I've been shooting 70lbs on my PSE Polaris for over a decade now, and there ain't nothing worn out on it. As for quiet, you can try adding a few silencing things, such as limb-savers, string silencers and what not. The archery shop should be able to set you up with something. If noise is realy bad, maybe try a heavier arrow. It absorbs more of the strings energy then an ultra light arrow, and results in less rattles and vibrations.

They still make Thunderheads, and they still work fine. If they're shooting good for you, why not stick with them? There area also plenty of other fine broadheads on the market if your willing to shell out the money to experement and find another kind that'll suit you. I used to shoot Thunderhead 125's, but am putting my arrows on a diet and am looking for something a little lighter before next season myself....

[Straight Shooter]

You bow will be fine shooting 70#, it'll only wear out if you shoot to light of an arrow through it. There hasn't been a whole lot change in the last 10 years except the bows technology and speed. Arrows are still pretty much the same as well as the broad heads, you've just got a better selection of them now to choose from.

If you are comfortable shooting the 70# then leave it there, just concentrate on your release and shooting form. Only shoot 3 arrow groups at a time until you get your muscles built back up, then increase your groups by one arrow, etc.

For a broad head, its all in the shooters preference. I've been shooting a 3-blade Muzzy for 16 years now. I know shooters that change there broad heads like they change their underwear. any broad head will do the job if you put it were its supposed to be on the animal. Personally I like a fixed blade head, don't have to worry if the blades are going to deploy or not. JMO good luck to you and feel free to ask anymore questions and welcome to the forums.

[HOYTnMUZZYboy]

If you sighted your bow in at 70#'s and you drop your weight you will lose some accuracy. I have shot 100 grain muzzys for the last 4 years, great broadhead IMO. There's alot of good broadheads out there. Let us know what you go with.

[Guest ckcranch]

Thanks

Thank ya'll for the response, ya'll pretty much all said the same thing and is what I kind of thought also. I believe I will leave my draw weight at 70#'s. I guess there is no good reason to lower it. My bow is quiet and I handle the weight fine. As far as the broadheads, I think I am going to try out the Muzzy 3 blade fixed, it seems to be the most popular broadhead out there and I'm sure it's for good reason. Again, thank you for your advise, I appreciated it.

[HUNTINGMAN]

I was useing the muzzy three blad for some time,when my bowshop did not have anymore of them i bought the four blade 100gr.After shooting the four blade I will probably not go back to the three blade,I think i picked up some accuracy and they fly a little better also.

[Guest ckcranch]

I was useing the muzzy three blad for some time,when my bowshop did not have anymore of them i bought the four blade 100gr.After shooting the four blade I will probably not go back to the three blade,I think i picked up some accuracy and they fly a little better also.

Thanks for the input, going to a 4 blade is something I'll think about. I would have guessed that it would have been the opposite, that you would have lost accuracy. But that was just a guess, I don't have any experience with a 4 blade broadhead.

[Bowtech_archer07]

I was useing the muzzy three blad for some time,when my bowshop did not have anymore of them i bought the four blade 100gr.After shooting the four blade I will probably not go back to the three blade,I think i picked up some accuracy and they fly a little better also.

My archery shop tech said that when they started selling them, they had people complaining alot because they were so inaccurate and making the arrows fly extremely weird. I'm not saying that you had different results, but just thought i'd throw this out there as you try to make your decision ck

[fly]

Welcome to the forums CK and back to the best sport in the world.

Glad to see you're staying with 70lbs as everyone recommends. I know muzzy's are great and less expensive than a lot of other broadheads, but I use Rocky Mountain Gators. You can only get them at Bass Pro. I like them because (at least when I shoot them) they are just like my field points. I also like the 2 inch diameter cutting and the simplisity of the mechanics involved. I'm not a fan of most mechanical broadheads, but I like this one. Check out this web site for scores on select broadheads. The gator is somewhat like the sniper. I don't like the mechanics as much on the sniper.

http://www.american-hunter.com/broadheads/broadhead_test.htm

Being old school you may have shot aluminum arrows. You might want to consider carbons? I switched last year and haven't been disappointed.

[Guest ckcranch]

Welcome to the forums CK and back to the best sport in the world.

Glad to see you're staying with 70lbs as everyone recommends. I know muzzy's are great and less expensive than a lot of other broadheads, but I use Rocky Mountain Gators. You can only get them at Bass Pro. I like them because (at least when I shoot them) they are just like my field points. I also like the 2 inch diameter cutting and the simplisity of the mechanics involved. I'm not a fan of most mechanical broadheads, but I like this one. Check out this web site for scores on select broadheads. The gator is somewhat like the sniper. I don't like the mechanics as much on the sniper.

http://www.american-hunter.com/broadheads/broadhead_test.htm

Being old school you may have shot aluminum arrows. You might want to consider carbons? I switched last year and haven't been disappointed.

Thanks for the info, I checked out that website and it's pretty interesting. But I believe that I am going to try the Muzzys, those mechanical broadheads kind of worry me. I did shoot aluminum arrows back 10 years ago, but now I am using carbon arrows. When I got back into shooting a bow, I went and got all new equipment, the only thing I use now that I used back then is a quiver that I use when practicing.

[Rhino]

First off welcome to the forum.

Just my opinion but by the time next bow season for deer opens you should be able to draw your bow from a seated position in your stand. You may need to practice that. You should also be able to draw your bow straight back with a minimum of up/down and side to side movement. That isn't a big problem hunting pigs because their eyesight is pretty poor compared to a deer. As you continue to practice drawing a 70# bow all that should become easier. If it doesn't, you may need to back off on your draw weight.

If the muzzy broadheads don't work out for you, try Montec G5's. They are just about the only fixed blade broadheads I've used that shoot the same as my field points out of my bows.

It's a little early for it now but there will probably be a time when you have questions about gear such as rangefinders, bow holders, etc. There's plenty of time for that as we get closer to the season.

By the way...as it warms up you might need to get a thermacell to keep the insects at bay. That may be a problem for you depending upon when and where you go pig hunting. You'll probably need one for early bow season deer hunting too.

[Guest ckcranch]

First off welcome to the forum.

Just my opinion but by the time next bow season for deer opens you should be able to draw your bow from a seated position in your stand. You may need to practice that. You should also be able to draw your bow straight back with a minimum of up/down and side to side movement. That isn't a big problem hunting pigs because their eyesight is pretty poor compared to a deer. As you continue to practice drawing a 70# bow all that should become easier. If it doesn't, you may need to back off on your draw weight.

If the muzzy broadheads don't work out for you, try Montec G5's. They are just about the only fixed blade broadheads I've used that shoot the same as my field points out of my bows.

It's a little early for it now but there will probably be a time when you have questions about gear such as rangefinders, bow holders, etc. There's plenty of time for that as we get closer to the season.

By the way...as it warms up you might need to get a thermacell to keep the insects at bay. That may be a problem for you depending upon when and where you go pig hunting. You'll probably need one for early bow season deer hunting too.

Thanks for your opinions. As far as the 70 pound draw, I am starting to be able to draw back with very little movement. I haven't bought any broadheads yet and I was interested in the Montec G5's as well as the Muzzy's. It will be between those two. And about the bugs, I live in south Louisiana so I deal with the bugs pretty much all year long here. I planned on getting a Thermacell later on, but don't know how well they really work. Sent control is going to be my biggest issue, because down here it is still pretty hot when bow season starts.