Quality Entry-Level Bows

By John Gallaspy

I have a young neighbor that loves to hunt. He has shot quite a few critters in our many outings. But as of yet, he has not shot a deer with a bow.

“Why don’t you let me go bowhunting?”Sometimes he poses this question when I return from a bowhunting trip. Other times he has asked this of me while I am practicing shooting in the backyard.

The last time he asked while I was practicing, I simply gave him my bow and told him to pull it back.

He grunted a bit, giving it his best effort to draw the bow, but he soon realized he could not do it.

“You have to prepare to bowhunt much more than you think. While more effort brings more reward, it’s a different kind of hunting than point and shoot. It’s about having deer close and having the right equipment and being able get the most out of what you are shooting. Everything has to come together. Everything has to fit,” I told him.

The answer didn’t please the young man very much. He had a “toy” bow to sling arrows at targets in his younger years. But here again is a boy that has shot a lot of game. And even at his age (he just got his learner’s permit), he wants to do the same thing with a bow. He wants to be in the game.

Of course, he can be in the game. Some companies make high-quality entry-level hunting bows. And this specific bow could very well solve his/our problem.

Among the companies catering to archery enthusiasts is Mission Archery. They have, among other “missions,” the mission to design and build high-quality, economic bows for those new to the sport.

In the Mission arsenal for young arrow-slingers- to-be are the Menace and the Craze. But before we get into telling you about them, let’s talk about draw length and how it affects the draw weight. To measure your draw length, determine the length of your arm-span in inches. Stand with your arms out and palms facing forward. Don’t stretch when measuring. Just stand naturally. Have someone else help you, and measure from the tip of one middle finger to the other. Then simply divide that number by 2.5. The quotient is your proper draw length (in inches) for your body size.

Now, let’s talk about draw weight. There are several factors to consider here, beyond just brute strength. First and foremost, we strongly recommend that you choose a draw weight that is COMFORTABLE for you and suitable for your particular purpose. A good rule-of-thumb is to choose a draw weight that requires about 75% of your “maximum” strength. If your bow is too heavy, and you can only shoot a few times before you’re fatigued, then you’ll be reluctant to practice and improve your game. But you also want your bow to shoot with as much speed and power as possible, so you shouldn’t choose too little weight either. Again, the right balance between comfort and performance—for YOU—will probably be at your “75%” mark.

Now we can talk intelligently about the bows. The Mission Menace weighs under 3 pounds and has an adjustable module with a draw length range of 17-30 inches. As you change draw lengths, the minimum and maximum weight adjusts proportionally (see chart) within a full range of 16-52 pounds.

The all-new Mission Craze is in a class all its own for entry-level hunters. With a mere 3.6 pounds of gross weight, the Craze is unique in that it can brag of over 40 pounds of weight adjustment, with a draw length range of 19 to 30 inches and a full draw weight range of 15 to 70 pounds Why is that a big deal, you ask? Well, the first obvious reason is that the bow can grow with you. The other reason is more subtle. “Dad, you buy me this new Craze and you can use it, too! Even Mom!”

At $299, the Craze really appeals to adult beginners, too, who are looking for a high-performing bow that will fit an entry-level budget, since a lot of people don’t want to invest in more expensive set-ups when just starting out.

Now let’s talk about fit. Why is it so important for a bow to fit an archer?

Well, the “fit” of a bow is as it is with a gun. A good fit equals comfort, accuracy and success. The fit is paramount. If the bow and the archer’s frame are not matched you will never truly be on target with your archery goals, be it placing shafts in the bull’s eye, or bagging a trophy buck.

With bows like Mission’s Menace and the new Craze, young hunters not only get a desired fit, but they also get the capability to adjust as the archer grows. This feature allows the shooter to grow with his or her bow, while the bow is also in use long enough for the parent to consider it a worthwhile investment. Both these bows, The Menace and Craze, allow a well-suited progression in the sport of bowhunting—giving shooters of all ages and sizes what all archers want: comfort, accuracy and success.

Selecting Your First Bow

Y ounger hunters looking for a first bow have several things to consider, reports Bob Jenkins, Warranty Technician with Mission Archery. First of all, is “Where to buy the bow?”

“We recommend new archers to pro-shops, where there are experts with years of experience in taking people through the process of getting set up for their first archery experience. There are a lot of options in bows, accessories and gear, and the pro-shops are great places to find sound advice.” Many times there are indoor and outdoor ranges where beginners can test before they buy, practice with their new bow and eventually join competitive leagues.

These archery experts can also help you determine the best fit. The physical weight of the bow in hand and the poundage, or amount of pull it takes to draw the bow, are the important factors to consider in this aspect.

Tuning the bow to get exactly what you want to shoot accurately and comfortably is the next step. It’s another reason young hunters may want to consider purchasing a bow at a place that can set it up for them, match the draw length to the shooter’s arm and the draw weight to their strength.

“Having to shoot a bow that’s uncomfortable and inaccurate can give anybody a sour taste for the sport, and that’s unnecessary,” Jenkins explains. “Hunters of all skill levels should want their bows set up to their personal specifications.”

Jenkins also added that this is why the Mission Menace and new Mission Craze bows are great for all hunters starting out. To find an authorized Mission retailer go to www.missionarchery.com.