Posted: 1/30/2024 8:49:41 AM EDT
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My wife has always wanted a compound bow for target shooting since before we were even dating (we've been together for a little over 10 years now). Finally decided to pull the trigger and pick up a bow for here. My parents live about 2 miles away, and have a big open area that we can use to target shot with. Purchased a Bear Legit package, in the "Ghost" color (she really liked that one). Unfortunately, I had to order it online, since it was a limited edition color and very few people actually had any left. We do have a few "archery" stores around us within a reasonable drive (sub-30 minutes), and some even have indoor ranges. We also have a Cabelas about 25 minutes away as well. So as far as accessories, any help / direction would be much appreciated. Obviously the person in question is a novice / beginner, and discipline would be target shooting (not hunting). Brands to stay away from would be great too, or ones to lean towards as well. Thanks! 
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Originally Posted By BIG-DUKE-6: A nice target bag Binos Range finder Archery club Local 3-D shoots Better stabs ( front and side) Carbon arrows. Hard case Looks like you’re going to need a arrow rest as well ( full capture for beginners) Per the Bear site, it comes with: Trophy Ridge 4-pin "Joker" sight Trophy Ridge "5-spot" quiver Trophy Ridge "quick-shot" whisker biscuit Trophy Ridge 6-inch "Blitz" stabilizer I will know for sure in the next couple days what it physically has in the box, but that list above is what is included per the website. I did have someone recommend the Viper Venom sight as a possible upgrade. Supposedly the Joker is decent, but the housing is plastic and you have to be careful tightening the pins. The Viper Venom is all aluminum and a little bit better quality from what I'm told. Also looking at a possible release. Not sure how important that is on the list. |
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A descent release is very important. Archery , like any other adult hobby is a very deep rabbit hole. I recommend getting good parts that you can transfer to a better bow once she has outgrown (outshot) this one. Obviously you will want to wait to see if she even likes it before you start sinking serious money into it. |
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Originally Posted By BIG-DUKE-6: A descent release is very important. Archery , like any other adult hobby is a very deep rabbit hole. I recommend getting good parts that you can transfer to a better bow once she has outgrown (outshot) this one. Obviously you will want to wait to see if she even likes it before you start sinking serious money into it. Thanks, been reading a lot on releases. Think I may have settled on the Spot Hog Whipper Snapper. Had a couple people recommend it. Not too complicated, but a decent release for a new shooter. |
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Got the bow in tonight surprisingly. Pulled it out and the accessories didn't quite match the pictures on the Bear site. Sight is a 4-pin Trophy Ridge "gem" model. Plastic housing doesn't seem very sturdy. Not a huge deal as I was planning on changing it out. Stabilizer is the 5-inch Snubnose vs the 8-inch Blitz, so that may need an upgrade. I've read the Snubnose is nice and compact, but not so great at dampening. Quiver is the 5-shot as expected. Rest however was a small upgrade to the Trohpy Ridge "Whisker Biscuit V" model, which has the bristles in a triangular shape vs a round donut. |
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First thing I would do is find the closest mom and pop shop that's been around the longest and take your wife and the bow to get set up. Have them check the cam timing, check for cam lean, set the center shot, set the poundage, and set the draw length. Bear can often, even in their more expensive models /packages have some bad cam lean and either need shimmed or the cables/strings twisted to get it straight. ( I'm a Bear guy so I've seen it). I have a brand new Alaskan XT that had some issues out of the box. As far as upgrades.. Get rid of the tube peep. Those can come loose/untied and snap back into your eye. Have an aluminum no tube peep served in. There pretty cheap and come in different colors. Shoot the bow as is for a while before you start dumping money into accessories. That stabilizer and sight will be just fine while she's learning and getting her form dialed in. Arrows can be expensive Targets can be expensive Spend your money on that first. A good arrow that's tuned can make a big difference. I've been using a $50 ish dollar tru-ball index finger release for 10+ years. You don't need an expensive release to get started. Maybe change out the wrist sling. Those single cord trophy ridge ones are pretty stiff and not very comfortable. You can get nice paracord ones off Amazon or etsy for fairly cheap in pretty much any color you want. |
R.I.P. Betty. You were a great doggo
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Originally Posted By Wils91: First thing I would do is find the closest mom and pop shop that's been around the longest and take your wife and the bow to get set up. Have them check the cam timing, check for cam lean, set the center shot, set the poundage, and set the draw length. Bear can often, even in their more expensive models /packages have some bad cam lean and either need shimmed or the cables/strings twisted to get it straight. ( I'm a Bear guy so I've seen it). I have a brand new Alaskan XT that had some issues out of the box. As far as upgrades.. Get rid of the tube peep. Those can come loose/untied and snap back into your eye. Have an aluminum no tube peep served in. There pretty cheap and come in different colors. Shoot the bow as is for a while before you start dumping money into accessories. That stabilizer and sight will be just fine while she's learning and getting her form dialed in. Arrows can be expensive Targets can be expensive Spend your money on that first. A good arrow that's tuned can make a big difference. I've been using a $50 ish dollar tru-ball index finger release for 10+ years. You don't need an expensive release to get started. Maybe change out the wrist sling. Those single cord trophy ridge ones are pretty stiff and not very comfortable. You can get nice paracord ones off Amazon or etsy for fairly cheap in pretty much any color you want. Great info, thanks. I do plan on taking her to a local shop / indoor range, to have the bow fit to her (draw length & weight), as well as some basic lessons. I will make sure I have them check for the cam lean and timing at the same time (I'm sure they would check it anyways if they are a reputable shop, but I'll mention it regardless). And yes, the peep was on my list to change out for a standard 2-string "donut" style. I really appreciate all the info thus-far and advice. Thank you to all who wrote in here. Keep it coming! |