well tom, to be honest a bow is in the eye of the beholder. all people like different bows. i have shot many bows(hoyt, matthews, pse, and darton). i like them all but i like you am limited to the amount to be spent. i currently shoot a darton. we have a dealer in my hometown and it is convenient for me. i love how they shoot. i have two darton storms. they both shoot awesome.

i won another darton storm saturday night at a NWTF banquet. it is set up with a whisker biscuit rest and tru glo sights. i would be willing to sell it to you cheap because i need money and i already have two of them. if you are interested p.m. me and i will give you the details and my price. i would be willing to sell it for around 300-350. it retails from darton at around 500 i believe and my dealer sells them for them for around 515 set up. so i would be willing to cut you quite a deal, just pm me if interested.

Welcome to the Cabin.

You will get a lot of different opinions on this topic. What I recommend is to first decide how much you are willing to spend on the setup. Once you get that figured out go to a pro shop and shoot as many as you can in that price range and see which one fits and feels the best for you. Don't go buy a bow just because someone tells you it is the best one made. It may fit them good but may not fit you, only you know which one fits you best. There are many good quality bows made by alot of companies out there.

Some companies with lower dollar bows worth checking out would be PSE, Diamond, Reflex, Bear, and others.

Sights are personal preference, I like my Copper John 5 pin, I also had a PSE F-15 and liked it also. Pick one that is bright and clear, costs can run anywhere from $30 to $150, again take this into consideration on your overall cost. For releases you will want to try a few out also, I have to find a new one myself this year and still have not found one that fits me comfortably.

Quivers are another personal choice. One piece, two piece, hip quiver. I have an Alpine Archery soft lock and just love it. I also have a hip quiver that is real nice if you don't want the extra weight on the bow during long walks.

Rests are another item that you will get a dozen different opinions on. Many will say the whisker bisquit is the best, others will say one type of drop away is the best, another will say this brand is better. Have your pro shop set up different rests and try them. I have used many different rest in the past 28 years and am now shooting a NAP 2000 drop away that came on my bow when I bought it. It shoots good so I see no reason to change yet.

Try as many different bows and setups as you can and have fun doing it. Pick what feels good and shoots good for you. I hope this helps and have fun and good luck in what you decide to purchase.

ebay is the place to go, great deals and huge selection. Get something cheap to start and see how you like it then learn as you go and you can upgrade in a year or two.

Tom for a first time bow hunter Id really recommend you take the time to visit a good pro shop and get set up properly. A properly fit and set up bow will go a long ways in making your transition a lot smoother. Not sure where you are located here in OR but if you are around the Eugene/Springfield area go down to the Bow Rack and talk to the guys there. They are very knowledgable and can really help you out in your decision. Plus they carry a wide range of bows in all price ranges.

thanks oregon archer im near salem attending school, but from south coast, and not many bow shops down there. I was also thinking of going to the bowtech factory outlet on hwy 99, do you have any experience with them???

got to bowtech, go to bowtech, got to bowtech. i have 2 of them allready and the 3rd is on order.

you cant go wrong with the diamonds they are great and the same as some of bowtechs older bows at least the high end ones like the victory and liberty for the price you cant beat them i am getting a victory my self this year.

sights hmmm well theres tons of them might i recomend toxonics and their top dog series not too expensive good quality and super bright

i dont use a bow mounted quiver but if i was i would use the bowtech or diamond quiver it is really nice

if you are mainly hunting i would go with a wrist strap style release i like scott archerys releases they are top notch like the mongoose and wild cat you cant beat them another good one is a carter quickie

arrows i would say go with carbon express you cant beat the quality of them and they are extremely tough.

for a rest i would highly recomend a drop away and you can get them now for fairly cheap and close to the price of a wisker biscuit and the others in a sense they will make you the best shot you can be.

all other things are just a matter of opinion like broadheads and other things.

im not sure i agree with jimbob on getting something cheap what you really need to do is shoot someone elses or if you really know you are going to like it get something thats good i made the mistake of getting something cheap and now it hasnt even been a year and im already looking to upgrade my advice is look into the diamond line alot of bow there at a great price you wont be sorry. now that i have rambled on i hope i helped you a little.

Go to ebay and do a search on Mathews bows. You can get an Excellent bow completely outfitted used (only a year old or less!!!) for Penny's on the Dollor. Look at the most exspensive Bows. Look at the detailes for the bows and you will get a good feel for what people are using.Sights,Strings,D-Loops,Rest's,Stabilizers some even come with arrows!!! Good Luck

i live 5 minutes from BowTech and have yet to step foot in there. I get great personal service from the guys down at the Bow Rack. they really do go that extra mile to help out their customers and make sure that they are set up right and know what they are doing before they walk out the door.