Youth Bow purchase advice needed.

[Brinx]

Hello everyone,

My son's b-day is today and he turned 10. I figured it would be enough time for me to get him a bow, practice all summer and be ready for the season this fall.

I want to get him a youth bow. Does anyone have any advice? I want him to have a nice bow. I don't want to get him one of the "starter" kit bows. I'm a very seasoned flyfishing veteran and I know too much about the "beginners starter kit" sets that I know I don't want to do that with him with a bow. My thought is to take him to the local archery shop to get him fully measured and fit for draw, string length and draw weight. I can't afford a new one so my intention then will be to seek out a used youth bow. Does anyone have any advice of which bow is a good youth bow to seek out on the used level and which is not? Then, what is a good price to expect for a used one of these bows?

Thanks,

Brinx

[rrm]

Go with a Browning Micro Midas, fast, easy to tune and he probably won't want to give it up. For Hunting use 90 grain first cut two sided broadheads and carbon arrows with feathers. I bought my son one when he was eleven and he's dropped some impressive bucks with the bow.

[ChromerRoamer]

I think you're right on with the idea of going to a pro-shot and having your son measured up for a bow that fits. Unfortunately, there are a lot of people in your situation looking for a used youth bow. My experience has been that anything worth a darn for a kid is snatched up pretty quickly. Hopefully you can luck into something good, used, and that fits, but be prepared to do a little looking...
Also, keep in mind that archery technology has rapidly advanced over the past 10 years. A top-of-the-line bow that's 10 years old doesn't match up to a decent new bow; it's just the nature of the market. I would recommend checking out some of the affordable new youth bow packages out there; most every company has one. You'll be able to get something that's a proper fit (sometimes hard with a used youth bow) and at most shops you'll have several options. The best thing to do would be to take your son along and have him shoot different models and pick which one he likes best. While most people have their favorite brand name, everyone's seems to be different ;)
So, what would I do if I was in your situation? I would go to my local pro-shop with my son and see what's there. They will help you find something in your price range and that's the right fit. Any good shop will let your son shoot a few bows before buying one (if they don't, go somewhere else.)
On a side note - check out purchasing carbon arrows for him. GoldTip makes a youth arrow that's as cheap as aluminum. The big advantage is they won't bend if a tree jumps into the line of fire (wish they'd have had 'em when I was a kid!)

Shoot Straight!

[jeffthedj]

my 10 year old shoots a pse spyder at 25# and it smokes!!!great bow and its 15-45# of adjustment i got it on ebay for 100.00..ive seen them in some shops for the same price used!

[love2fish2]

My son has the Alpine Micro and it seems be a pretty good bow.

[Cip Morse]

Parker makes a great youth bow as well. Lots of adjustment. I've been looking at one for my daughter. It shot a little faster than the Browning and was also a bit quieter. Parker also has a program where you can update the limbs to a higher pound set for a nominal price.

[ianmccririe]

i posted earlier this year with a similar question my only advice is talk to people around your area you might be amazed at the number of good used bows available for dirt cheap. to get a new bow identicle to mine it would have easily been $1,500.00 but we found a guy we new who sold it for $600.00 all my freinds think its a great bow and i get to use it for the first time this fall but im already dammaging my knocks from a ways off and from around 20 yards most of the time all my arrows are touching each other almost the full length of the shaft. plenty of people were getting rid of their youth bows in my area ask around:)

[Red Moose Lodge]

I have a browning micro midis, womens & youth very nice bow for the money plenty of adjustment. Most improtant is fit and feel. :) I'll give a little plug for Van's Archery in Whitmore Lake, Mi is a nice place to spend money and sometimes have used bows and a indoor range to try them.

Clint

[Brinx]

Well, we spent all day so far running around to various archery shops and pawn shops and 2nd hand stores. As we thought, there's no way we're gonna be able to buy a new "youth" bow. The bottom line is to buy a new youth bow will be $300.00 any way you slice it. No matter the brand or style.

So, after all the running around to used shops, we found an Alpine Micro that looked to be a couple years old. An awful site and and awful rest but the rest of the bow was in great condition and had good adjustability. We have it on hold until 5:00 tomorrow for $75.00. All black, no camo. I figure we could use camo tape on it once we got it. I'm just so nervous 'cuz I don't know if I'm getting a good deal or not. Cole likes the bow and actually chose it over a more expensive Jennings Carbon something or other for $95.00. So, whatcy'all think. With what I saw today, I think it's probably my only way to go unless I want to hold out and try to get a steal on E-bay.

Thanks,

Brinx

[Redleg]

I hope a limb doesn't explode or string break on a used bow with unknown history for a first timer. My first bow was a bear recurve. All the pulleys in the world on the compounds didn't matter to me at the time. That was my first and it was MINE.;) Wooden arrows getting damaged and lost until you get skilled doesn't hurt the wallet as bad either. It was fun to build my first arrows and drawstrings for it too. Got pretty accurate with that thing. Mowed a lot of lawns to get my next bow. Not trying to preach, just giving another perspective.

[Reel_Screamer]

Well, we spent all day so far running around to various archery shops and pawn shops and 2nd hand stores. As we thought, there's no way we're gonna be able to buy a new "youth" bow. The bottom line is to buy a new youth bow will be $300.00 any way you slice it. No matter the brand or style.

So, after all the running around to used shops, we found an Alpine Micro that looked to be a couple years old. An awful site and and awful rest but the rest of the bow was in great condition and had good adjustability. We have it on hold until 5:00 tomorrow for $75.00. All black, no camo. I figure we could use camo tape on it once we got it. I'm just so nervous 'cuz I don't know if I'm getting a good deal or not. Cole likes the bow and actually chose it over a more expensive Jennings Carbon something or other for $95.00. So, whatcy'all think. With what I saw today, I think it's probably my only way to go unless I want to hold out and try to get a steal on E-bay.

Thanks,

BrinxSorry i came in on your thread so late..My buddy has a bow that he bought for his son 2yrs ago and his son used it 3 times to hunt and its been in the case since. I know he would sell it for a fair price. And for the name of it i think its a PSE dont know the model. But this sounds like what your looking for. I would'nt post this if i did'nt think it was a good bow and not a piece of crap, i'am a avid bowhunter and know all the new adult bows, but as for the youth bows no clue..If your interested in the bow pm me with a phone # and i'll give it to him......He lives in Bay City (Saginaw Bay area)