General archery ?'s

[Smitty]

As far as the type of bow, every one has there favorite and I don't think there are any bad ones. I currently shoot a Mathews & Hoyt. Both bows are great bows. I use the Mathews for 3D & Turkey hunting and the Hoyt for Deer & soon a bear hunt. The Mathews is set @70lb. & the Hoyt is set @80lb. You don't need 80lbs. for deer/bear but I once hit a shoulder and wish I would have had the 80lbs. I don't know if it would have made a difference but it would not have hurt.
Rest - I like the Trophy Ridge fall away rest. This is the only fall away I ever used so I don't know if it is better than other rest or not, I only know it works for me.
Sight - As far as sights, look at the pin's and the fiber optic. I would not own another sight with the pin made from any thing other than metal and make sure the fiber optic is well protected. Cobra makes a very good sight that is durable. The one I have is the side winder and it cost around $50. the other $130 dollar sight is in a box with a broken fiber optic cord.
Arrows - I shoot carbon mainly for durability and I believe the smaller dia. improves penetration as long as you don't buy the real light weight shafts.
Broad heads - I have only used expandables on Turkey and they work very well. As for deer I have only used fixed blade broadheads for the same reason I shoot 80lbs. If my arrow meets heavy bone I want it to have every change to bust through.
Release - I have shot both hand held & wrist strap. I prefer the wrist strap basically because when I am hunting I always know where it is. With that being said when using your hand for other things you have to be careful not to make the metal to metal noise. There are pros & cons to both.
Quiver - I always take mine off when I am in a stand or blind, it will make your bow shoot a little different if you usually practice with it off.
Archery can be a very expensive sport, just starting out you may want to go with a cheaper rig just to figure out what you like / dis-like for your self. Every one has there own opinion and preferances and with experiance you will find out what yours are. Good luck with archey, it can become very addictive.

[DaveR]

I was a novice during the summer and did alot of research. Archerytalk.com is a great forum also. You can find a ton of info by searching on google for say "beginning archery" and so forth. Read all you can and research before you invest. Some things you may not need right away. As far as preparing for hunting plan on shooting hundreds of times in practice and sighting in you sight, getting your form consistent the same every time and practice some more, keep your string waxed, and once you know your "effective kill range" go up a tree and shoot down at a target and make sure you know what yourself and your equipment will perform like. Then practice some more. Then you'll be ready to go hunting. Stuff gets pricey, so take your time. Good Luck.

[Fisherjoe]

I was a novice during the summer and did alot of research. Archerytalk.com is a great forum also. You can find a ton of info by searching on google for say "beginning archery" and so forth. Read all you can and research before you invest. Some things you may not need right away. As far as preparing for hunting plan on shooting hundreds of times in practice and sighting in you sight, getting your form consistent the same every time and practice some more, keep your string waxed, and once you know your "effective kill range" go up a tree and shoot down at a target and make sure you know what yourself and your equipment will perform like. Then practice some more. Then you'll be ready to go hunting. Stuff gets pricey, so take your time. Good Luck.

I hope to be set up by Feb/Mar and hit the practice real hard to get ready for '08 archery season. I plan to get comfortable with ground shooting and then move to simulated stand shooting. I have two buddies who do the 3-D shoots so I hope to try them as well. Thanks for the input from all who answered.

Joe

[tracker4stroke]

practice with those 3d targets and you will be dead on for sure. good deal.