I'm new to the archery game and I am getting a Matthews Z7 Xtreme as an engagement gift and I  am seeking your guys input as to what you would do to a plain bow out of the box.

I'm interested in hearing all opinions on what I need to get this bad boy ready to shoot, including what arrows, sights, targets, etc to get.

 Imagine you have an unlimited budget to outfit said bow, so give me some ideas as to what you would do if this was your bow and what other things I should look into.  Basically, I want to set my bow up right out of the box and practice as much as possible before next years deer season.

Bow right out of the box..  I started shooting in Sept of this year.  

My bow out of the box needed some adjusting to get it prefect for me.  Luckily my FIL has a small archery shop basically in his garage.  Check your draw length first, we did mine just under my wingspan/2.5 and put a D loop on the string.  We adjusted the poundage some and he taught me some correct form.  Once we had the draw length down I stood about 10 ft from a target and shot a few times getting the sight generally in the right place, then moved to 20ft and did the same thing.  Once I had the sight generally in the right place I went to set my 20 yard pin.  And have been working on form from there.  Once I was comfortable with 20 yards, I moved to 30 yards, and finally to 40 yards.  My whole FIL backyard is set up with a few targets going out to 70 yards.  As for targets a simple box style target from Dicks sports will work with a backstop... Someone has posted a home made backstop that I am going to make when I move again.  I try and shoot everyday just a few times and work on my form.

Within the first week of shooting I realized I hated the whisker basket I got with the bow and finally replaced it last week (wife did this for me, early xmas gift) with a drop away.  

Dont strong hand grip the bow with your forward hand, let it sit softly and balance slightly in your hand... not sure how to really say this.

Arrows... I have already learned how to fletch and set up my own arrows.  Learn this skill, it will save you money and I have already had to refletch my arrows many times while learning... i think the whisker basket messed up a few of the vanes too.  Figure out how your arrows group by weight and what not.  

Honestly you dont need a lot of stuff just beginning.  Bow, with sight and arrow rest, a few arrows, and a simple target.  I could have this totally wrong but this is how I have done it and seem to be doing alright so far.  And only hit my arm 2 times... when I tried shooting my bow for the first time before I talked to my FIL on how to do it correctly.  Right now I am shooting about at 45yards with a shot group of a softball.  

Good Luck.  I am enjoying it and hopefully will be able to get out and hunt soon.

Thanks for the reply.  

I should say that I'm not a total rook when it comes to compound bows as I used to have a Browning when I was younger. I just never did much more than shoot at some hay targets with no sights.

Now I'm looking to take it up a notch and get get good with one and go hunting with it.  

Nice bow.  My Z7 was a laser. I had/used everything on this list except for the QAD hdx. Its new for this season.  I prefer the Red Eye peep and won't use anything else, but I won't recommend them to anyone because there have been a lot of strings cut by them.  G5 peep sights are good.  I like the Beast ii release enough to buy another for when the first wears out.  The hook style is faster to engage, doesn't make any noise, and has a good trigger.  My next bow will have/use:

Axel Armortech HD sight with .010 pins

QAD Ultra rest hdx

Red Eye Peep (redesigned version)

KTech stabilizer

Mathews T5 quiver

Easton Full Metal Jacket arrows

Tru Ball Beast ii release.  

Broad heads are a personal choice imo.

Just set up my new Invasion last week as follows-  QAD HDX rest, Octane Stabilizer, Black Gold Rush sight, G5 MagLoc Quiver.  73lbs/29 inch

Currently shooting Gold Tip XT Hunters 75/95 with Montec and Ramcat broadheads.  I also have a random mix of Beman Elite Hunters, CX Maxima 350's and Easton Epics.  All are 340 spine.

My backup bow is a Hoyt Katera.  70lb/29inch.  Sword Twilight hunter, Posten stab, QAD HD rest.

I really like all of the components on both bows.   I am becoming a gear nut when it comes to archery, and am interested in trying new stuff, I just don't need anything else.

Whats your draw length/weight?  Most arrows have accompanying spine charts to help you out.

Thanks for the replies guys.  I'm not sure about my draw length yet as I will get that done at the Pro Shop once I am ready to pick it up.  

Any tips on good 3D targets or those target blocks as well?

Rhinehart 18-1.  It's good for broadheads and field points and has a one year warranty.

rhinehart 18-1 , your bow is going to shoot pretty fast so a single pin slidder would be your best bet for a sight . HHA, spot hogg are the better ones with great CS any problems they will fix or replace . A containment drop away rest would be better , QAD and AAE and apache by nap is good . B-stinger in 8" with 8 oz weight or doinker dish is the better stabilizers and hold the bow steady at full draw . Gold tip or carbon express arrows are tuff but i just switched to carbon force by PSE and these are some great arrows . Start off with a mid level arrow . Wax string after 50-10 shots .