Bow hunting is the greatest form of hunting. Ive had all the brands. Mathews is the brand is shoot. Are they the best? Maybe they are maybe they arnt, but its what I like and feels good to me. Some guys spend money on golfs clubs, I like to spend it on hunting and trapping stuff.

Been bow hunting since I was 14. Started with a Browning Micro Midas. Then Bear Whitetail Elite, Bear TRX 32, Bowtech Extreme VFT, Now a Bowtech Admiral. It’s a great way to hunt, very rewarding. I would buy a good condition used bow, 5-10 years old. If hunting only ( not comp shooting ) I would recommend Whisker Biscuit rest, spot hogg sight, swhacker broadheads. Works great for me ! Keep it simple .

John

Few pics from this fall so far

I doubt you can buy a bow now that isn't good.
Get one that fits you and practice.
You DO NOT need to spend the big $$.
Buy it and get it set up from a place that knows how to do it proper.
Bowhunting is piles of fun.

22 years with compound, 14 years since with traditional. My favorite is my longbow.

I've hunted with a bow for over 45 years. Gave up gun hunting for deer probably 35-40 years ago. Never had too fancy of bows. I bought a new Bear Whitetail Hunter at K Mart but that awas a slow heavy bow. Then I bought a WhiteTail 2 used that killed anything I wanted. Got to be pretty good with it. Gave it to a youngster and then bought a PSE Baby G compound. Hunted with that till I tore up and had to have my shoulders stitched up. DR told me to get rid of the compound and go crossbow. Now I have 4 of the lesser dollar Barnets and Killer Instincts. They all work. I've killed elk, deer, antelope, coyotes, coons, bobcats, and a bunch of other small game critters. Get and start with what you can afford. You can always move up. Bow hunting makes you a better hunter and let's you really spend more time outdoors !!

Great job!!

Yep I go

Ya'll trad guys have my respect!!!!!

Been bowhunting since 1990. The satisfaction and thrill of harvesting game with a bow can never be duplicated in my book. I will lose a part of my "soul" when I have to hang up the bow for a crossbow. Yes I have shot big game with a rifle and muzzleloader but never felt the same satisfaction that I have when harvesting something with the bow. I currently shoot an Elite Hunter I think its the 2017 model. Really have no reason to change to anything else. Huge let off after its drawn, very easy shooting bow, shoots where I have it aimed. LOL not always where I want to be aiming.

I enjoy it as I grew up bow hunting southern Oregon, now that im in Nevada I tend to just hunt antelope with my bow. It an oldie but I like it bowtech General, last time i put cables and strings on it the guys at the shop couldn't believe how quite it was compaired to the newer bows.
Shop around especially after the first of the year , you can find last years new bow cheap or one already set up a year or 2 old . Buy good sites and rest that can go from bow to bow if you trade up.

Bow, up too what feels good for you
Rest , ripcord
Site spothog
Detachable quiver
Arrows, ? I shoot fullmetal jackets
Broadheads, i like montec or muzzy or g5 rear deploying mechanical

PM sent.

I am in my 50th season chasing whitetails with a bow. I was into traditional for years shooting a longbow. When the compounds came on the scene I jumped on the 4 wheeler craze and eventually bought a 2 wheeler. I used a compound until my body parts wouldn't allow me to draw a string. A few years ago I picked up a Tenpoint X-bow which allowed me to continue my passion however nothing will bring back the excitement of hunting with the long bow. Many places allow a person to try before you buy and without a doubt it's the best way to go. Lots of the low to mid range bows today offer what top end bows from just a few years ago offered. Don't forget the used market is flooded with good bows also, another good option.

WS

Started bowhunting in 1984 with a Jennings Forked Lightning. I have had a few different bows since but picked up a crossbow several years ago due to shoulder and eye issues. And, frankly, I did not enjoy taking the time to practice like I had when I was younger. Other things seemed more important.
However, I picked up a 45# longbow two years ago and have been practicing with it. I must say, I get more enjoyment out of shooting the longbow than I ever did with anything else and hope to fill my tag with it this year.

From this season so far...

I use a older hoyt x-tec bow, I'd find an older hoyt with 2 cams on it and put new strings on it from 60x and practice a bunch. If you don't have the time to practice go with a crossbow, them ten points are good. Bowhunting isn't easy and very frustrating at times, patience and practice can make it very rewarding when your moment comes. I guess your hunting up in Canada by the location shown, one thing to keep in mind wearing a lot of clothes makes it a lil more challenging to shoot a regular bow, that's probably where a crossbow would be better in the cold.

This is my 32nd year bowhunting I started out with a old BEAR compound
that was given to me, I used that for 3 or 4 years then I bought a new
Jennings I used that bow up until 2000 at that time I had to switch
to shooting left handed so I bought a used Jennings buckmaster
off of ebay I'm still using that bow. I dont think I could bring myself
to spend the money they want for new bows now, if I was younger maybe.
I still shoot aluminum arrows and around 5 years ago I went
using a release

This year I enter my 40th season of bowhunting in WV. In my later years I have bought a new bow about every seven years. I have never owned the same manufacturer twice. Every time I shop for a new bow the one that fits me and feels right is different from the last manufacturers bow that I owned. I purchased an Elite Synergy in 2015 due to the awesome draw cycle that was very friendly to my shoulders that are gradually wearing out. It is not a speed demon by any stretch, but is very forgiving, shoots nice, and kills if I do my part. I am at the 7 year point and thought it was time for a new one, but I think with the price of new ones I'll keep the Elite a few more years. The technology (Bows, arrows, broadheads, rests, etch) has changed a lot over last 40 years, but the basics are still the same. Practice, practice, practice so that when the moment of truth comes it is all sub conscious when buck fever kicks in. A well placed lethal shot is just that whether it be a 40 year old wasp/muzzy broadhead or the latest whiz bang expandable broadhead.

Started as a young kid with a cheap fiberglass 15# recurve.
In the mid 70's I hopped onto the compound bandwagon. Owned a few Bear archery, PSE, and Hoyt 50# to 75# compound bows.
Early 1990's opted for a nice 50# recurve.
In 2000 broke down and went towards using a custom 45# Longbow.
The Longbow has been the most fun I've had in years.
I love the skills I've learned and enjoy myself immensely.
Last week I was blessed to meet this 8 point Buck.
Made a very tight quartering away shot.
He only made 35 short steps before collapse.

Been bowhunting for 51 years. Don't know if I could even bring myself to shoot a deer with a centerfire anymore. I'm still shooting a pair of Browning bows. One is from 2004. The other from 2009. Drawing somewhere between 65-67 pounds, but my creaky shoulders may have that coming down a little pretty soon. When it comes time that a crossbow is my only option............ I'll quit.

Pretty much any company's "ready to hunt" (RTH) compound package will be good. My daughter just bought a Bear Legit RTH package for $400 this year. It's very good. Buy the straightest carbon arrows you can afford. I prefer a cut-on-impact broadhead and use Steelforce, personally.

Those are great pictures. What's a good draw weight for dropping bears, deers etc and how do you properly measure draw length for compounds ? Everything i have read is different. I know the legal weight for here but what is a real weight.

I'm pretty small so I will likely need a smaller draw weight anyways.

Go to a reputable dealer near you. They will help you with everything you need to know.