SHG,
Warning: It's addicting.....
Here?s how I got into it, maybe my example will help you make choices?. Like you I followed in my Dad?s footsteps and rifle hunted. I wanted a new challenge and archery fit the bill. I knew NOTHING and was discouraged to see the price tags at the local shop. It's hard to start anything from scratch. The shop was very helpful and I was able to use them to measure my draw length. I started with a PSE brand bow from Cabela?s and bought inexpensive arrows, site, release and rest. It was a decent bow and I enjoyed learning the mechanics involved with bow tuning and shooting. I took to it quickly and joined a local club. That led to shooting 3-d events on the weekends? I was hooked. The time arrived when my skill level outgrew what my inexpensive bow set-up could do. Archery is similar to golf; the repetition of a mechanical movement and the desire to reproduce accuracy eventually requires an update in equipment. A lot of the people I met shooting events shot Mathews bows and I wanted to get one, but could never swing the 1000$ price tag for a new bow. I found that lots of people sell their older models on various websites (many people want the latest greatest and upgrade every year or two). I bought a bow on Ebay (so have other people I know, all with good success, just do some homework). Local shops aren't thrilled about losing business to the internet but for big ticket stuff but it made fiscal sense for me. Not wanting to snub my local shop (good shops are a new archers best resource), I bought arrows and accessories from the local shop to keep some business local and to build a relationship with the folks that knew more than I did. As time goes on you'll learn more and rely on the shop less and less? I still pop in there and spend a few bucks because I think it's good to keep it local. I'm still shooting that 10 year old Mathews. They?ve long since discontinued the model but it's still a shooter. I'm sure I'll update at some point but for now it still meets my needs.
There?s two schools of thought? start inexpensive and grow into it (like I did) or swing for the fences right out of the gate. For me the dollars involved made the decision. I thought about saving up for the best but I'm glad I didn't. Going ?entry level? got me going sooner than I could of holding out for top shelf stuff. I eventually sold the entry level gear to another guy getting his start so in the long run there was a return on that initial investment?.
The most important thing I learned was you have to get involved with people who shoot (club, shop, friends etc). Like anything hunting related, there are lots of folks willing to help and share what they know. The education is priceless and allowed the learning curve to be reduced?.
As for your second question, there's a bow for all sizes?. You need to get your draw length measured. Once you have that you can look for a bow that fits your required length. Some are adjustable, some are specific to a length. Once you have your bow you could work on an arrow length. For the first half or full dozen I'd work with the shop? just my opinion?.
Good luck and have fun??
five_point_buck
C.B.C.S.
