Do I need a new bow? Question for the experianced

[txtrophy85]

this is gonna be a bit long winded so be forewarned:

Me and 3 other guys drew tags for Wyoming antelope. They have been twice before and each killed good antelope during the archery season. even though our tag is good for rifle we want to tag out with our bows in August.

As you can imagine, antelope hunting with a bow calls for some longer shots. While they have had shots in the 30 yard range, most of them are in the 50-70yard range with the longest kill being at 78 yards. Yesterday we all started practicing and got up to the 90 yard mark. Here is where my dilemma lies....

They are shooting Mathews bows (Z7 Magnum and the new No-Cam bow) and those bows are wicked fast. even at 90 yards the amount of arc (or lack of) is amazing. I'm shooting a 2010 Diamond Iceman set at 72 lbs. I love the bow, LOVE IT, its smooth, quiet and easy to shoot. Its also slow. when I bought it If memory serves it chrono'd at 284 fps with a 370 grain total arrow weight, but I question that. With this set up, I don't have room for a pin past 60 yards. I can accurately shoot at 70 using my level as a pin but that's not what I want to rely on. 20-50 yards is fast and flat past 50 it drops like a rock. Compared to the bows they were shooting, its like comparing a Dodge Hemi Challenger to a Ford Focus. Pretty disheartening to see them dropping 3 arrows in the kill zone at 90 yards and your arrows falling 10 feet short.


That being said, I am afraid that I'm going to go up there under-equipped if I take my current set up. I don't want to miss a chance at a monster pronghorn because of inadequate bow speed. If I can't close that extra 10 yards I don't want that to be the difference between the antelope running off and it riding home with me. question is: Do I need a newer, faster bow AND what bow do I get? I do not keep up with new bows, I don't know what is the best/fastest bow on the market. Another issue is I'm left handed AND have a short draw length (26.5") so it limits me in bow selection and speed becomes and issue due to short draw


Any suggestions would be helpful

[flywise]

Nope

Just shoot'em at 50 instead of 90

[txtrophy85]

Nope

Just shoot'em at 50 instead of 90

and what if you end up somewhere between 50 and 90.....then what?

[AggieArcher]

Check out a Mathews Chill R! Much faster than your setup now and super smooth with the rockmods. Everyone has their preferences but thats a sweet setup. Also a Hoyt Nitrum Turbo, its a little faster than the Mathews so that may help you with your shorter draw.

[JTRichardson]

and what if you end up somewhere between 50 and 90.....then what?

crawl closer?

[Jmh05]

If you can afford to get a new bow, esp a Matthews why not fade yourself?

Plus the day I start going out of state to hunt western big game, it's always nice to have a second bow aka a good back up like your 2010.

[flywise]

and what if you end up somewhere between 50 and 90.....then what?

Dont shoot
An hunt is just that, maybe you grt one in range with your equipment maybe you dont. Its hunting. Same question could be asked if you spend tons of money on new equipment and get great at 90 and cant get closer than 105

[txtrophy85]

Check out a Mathews Chill R! Much faster than your setup now and super smooth with the rockmods. Everyone has their preferences but thats a sweet setup. Also a Hoyt Nitrum Turbo, its a little faster than the Mathews so that may help you with your shorter draw.

the Chill R was what was recommended to me

[txtrophy85]

Dont shoot
An hunt is just that, maybe you grt one in range with your equipment maybe you dont. Its hunting. Same question could be asked if you spend tons of money on new equipment and get great at 90 and cant get closer than 105

so your saying your advice is to handicap myself with obsolete equipment?

[AggieArcher]

Yeah I would check it out then! Dont go into it with your mind made up, shoot a few and see what you like! The question is whether your NEEEED one, probably not... But if I was going on a western hunt or any hunt, I'd want to know Ive given myself the best chance to complete a successful hunt. Plus if you get that bow and can shoot 90-100 regularly, when that antelope ends up broadside at 70 itll be a chipshot for you!

[RiverRat1]

so your saying your advice is to handicap myself with obsolete equipment?

Just because it's not the most expensive or fastest bow doesn't mean it's obsolete. I'm sure there are bows faster/better than the ones your buddies will be shooting, should they upgrade?

Sounds like you may be wanting to buy a new now. If that's the case then go buy one.

[txtrophy85]

Just because it's not the most expensive or fastest bow doesn't mean it's obsolete. I'm sure there are bows faster/better than the ones your buddies will be shooting, should they upgrade?

Sounds like you may be wanting to buy a new now. If that's the case then go buy one.

they don't need to upgrade because they can accurately shoot their setups at 90 yards, I can't. Really don't want to buy a new bow but my feeling is the situation dictates it may be necessary. Plus I'm not planning on this being my last antelope or mule deer archery hunt


I'm gonna go look at the chill R today

[Buck assasin]

You could get a new style of sight something like a slide type to give you that extra yardage. I shoot a cbe tek hybrid 3 pin but i can slide it to 200 if i want. Not that i would shoot an animal at that distance more or less to cover the full length of the slide..

But if you want a new bow the turbo is nice but so is the nitrum 34 you can get it in 80lb if you want a lil extra to pull..

I went on a mule deer hunt in new mexico and ended up having to take a shot at 60 plus.. That the time i used a diamond outlaw with a surlock sportsman special single pin ranged out to 150 with ce blue streak arrows i think it chronied at around 305.. Def not the fastest as i could see the arrow the whole way and it seem like it takes forever from shooter point of view but it packed a punch and the deer went 40 yards and rolled the rest of the way..

[boomerball]

Sounds to me like you already know what you want to do.
If i was in your situation, i would be bow shopping and getting reps in on the new setup.

If, on the other hand you simply dont have or are not willing to spend the $ on a new setup, then make peace with that decision now and dont let it eat at you as you prepare and enjoy the hunt.

[Tyler's Outdoor]

I think the bow may be capable, it's just whether or not you are. And I don't mean that you are a bad shooter or anything like that. It's all about you being comfortable and confident with your current setup for this hunting scenario. If you aren't confident with your setup and have the money to buy a new one, then do some research, shoot the bows you're interested in, and pick one that suits you and your hunting needs.