Saturday, March 18, 2006
Why Buy A New Compound Bow?
Oddly enough, I get asked the above question quite often. A hunter with a C.P. Oneida bow comes in, to have his bow checked or a new string installed, and they occasionally ask this question while admiring the newest models.
From a person who makes a living selling books, it’s one we hear often. And, in these economic times, it probably is a good question for someone to ask.
There are many reasons to buy a new compound. Let’s take a brief look at some of them.
*Improvements are made every year on our bow. I believe our bows are at the top of the bowyer’s art, and that should be of paramount importance to someone considering the purchase of a new bow. Is it better, and in many cases, significantly better than my present bow?
*Is it smoother and easier to draw? Many bows are rough when they roll over as the bow comes to full draw. A smooth draw and smooth shooting bow makes launching arrows more fun and much easier.
*How does a new bow feel in your hands? Some bows are simply more comfortable to hold, before shooting or as the bow comes to full draw.
*Is there any felt recoil? We’ve made some unique changes in our bow designs, and the way in which they are manufactured has solved the recoil that is felt when shots are taken with other bow. The recoil may not be excessive in other bows, but it can be felt and it is disturbing to some people. An archer or bow hunter doesn’t feel any recoil in our new models.
*Is the draw really smooth? With many bows, there is a noticeable feeling when the bow rolls over as it comes to full draw. Our new bows have eliminated that feeling, and ours are now the smoothest drawing bow on the market today.
*It seems that many people want to shoot a very light bow. Our bows weigh from 3.10 to 4.6 pounds. A bow that is too light is difficult to hold steady when a hunter is drawing 55 pounds or more. Our bows are certainly not heavy nor are they light. They are at the precise weight they should be for accurate and consistent arrow placement.
*Some people worry too much about moving parts. Our new bows are easy to tune, and have fewer moving parts than ever before. Part of the bowyer’s art is to make bows that are less complex and easier for the owner to work on, if that need ever arises.
*One common complaint by some folks is “we want a quiet shooting bow.” Well, so do we and our latest bows are whisper-quiet. The shot is taken and it can hardly be heard. It is one aspect of our newest bow technology that we are very proud of.
*These are just some of the reasons to buy a new bow. Another one is to acquire the latest technology. Working on new models, changing things around a bit, using high-quality products—all of these things are important when someone decides to buy a new model.
However, as much fun as having a new bow to practice and hunt with may be, the thought of being afield with a new model bow is comparable to choosing between a beater and a new car. Obviously a new bow or vehicle is more fun to drive or shoot, and the most important thing is how well the new bow shoots.
Anytime an archer or bow hunter can improve their ability to place the arrow in the right spot, time after time with ultimate confidence, it is a vast improvement over what may have been possible before.
I can build bows, and advise people to practice, but it’s a proven fact that people practice more with a new bow than with an old one. That helps boost their confidence, and that is always a good thing. Confident hunters shoot better, are more accurate, and make killing shots.—The Whitetail Wizard