by Russell Roper

Created on: November 23, 2007

The good thing about hunting bows is that there are so many to choose from. However, the bad thing about them is that there are so many of them. This dilemma causes a lot of confusion, especially among the novice archers. Because of this, there are many guides out there to help you decide on your needs and wants of your next purchase.

When going out to purchase a new/used bow, whether you're a first time buyer or have been involved in the sport for several years, there are some things to think about; do you want to purchase the bow and accessories separately or as a bow package? What kind of budget are you working with? What is your bow going to be used to hunt primarily, Deer or Elk, Hogs or Bears?

One of the primary focus points for many archers is accuracy. All bows are not created equal. While you do not necessarily have to spend a large sum of money to get a good bow, quality generally does come according to the price tag. For example; The Alpine Micro Elite Compound Bow Package has a price of $299.99. This bow has 65% let-off, 8" draw length adjustment, 3-pin fiber-optic sight, and weighs just 3 pounds. However, if you are lucky enough to have an extra $849.99 burning a hole in your pocket try this one. The PSE Mach X NX compound bow with a weight of 4.20 pounds, adjustable let-off between 80% down to 65% and an IBO speed of between 304-312 fps (feet per second). Just remember, the price is for the bow alone, all the accessories must be purchased and installed separately.

Speaking of speed, the faster arrow speed is generally related to longer shots and is not really a factor for deer in the woods that is where the accuracy comes in. One other thing is noise reduction. Some bows are noisier than others. There is limb noise, string noise, etc. The string noise has caused many a miss by warning "educated" deer an arrow is on its way. With the use of string silencers, and the manufacturer's quest to eliminate the noise during assembly, this problem can be lessened greatly.

So get out and check out the new equipment available for the bow hunter. With prices ranging between $299.99 and $900.00 there is something for every hunter and every budget.

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