I know nothing.

[sandetr]

While some that know me would thank me for finally admitting to the title of this post, I am actually referring to bow hunting in general. OK, nothing might be a little strong, but it points out my button buck status.

My background has always been with a shotgun in my hand, but having not been able to hunt the last 10 years, I am thinking of switching things up. I have only done target shooting with a bow a handful of times, but really enjoyed it.

What I am hoping to gather from this group, since you are all local is some insights on what to get, what to do, where to go (I'm sure some would be more than happy to tell me this), and any general advice. I am open to anything and everything and will eat my humble pie for not being the smart one in this group.

I want to be up front about a few items first. I am 29 with the first fawn on the way, so I want to be realistic about costs and how much time I can be out. Additionally, the 100 acres I used to have access to has been reduced to 20, not so prime acres of low activity land. I am located in Shakopee and the land I have access to and used to hunt is in Rice county.

What's a good bow to get and where is a good place to go? I have been checking online at Cabela's and just debating if the trip to Owatonna or Rogers is worth it. I'm sure a lot of this is by feel, but what's a good size and draw weight? What types of arrows should I get, aluminum or carbon? I don't even want to think about trying to assemble my own yet, so any recommendations? Fixed or mechanical? I am thinking I would lean towards fixed, but have no idea what works best.

As for hunting land, has anyone hunted WMA or the new WIA that they introduced this year? Just seems odd walking into someone's land with no permission required because it's been granted at a broader level. Is there too much traffic in these types of places to actually take a deer? Also, I always hunted ground level or a slight perch with my shotgun, so no tree stand in the garage. If I hunted public land, could one get by like that or with a portable ground blind or do I need to invest in a portable stand?

Also, does anyone suggest any good reading (books or websites) related to this. The one thing I never did when slug hunting was research into deer behavior. I would scout the woods a couple times in advance and then go out and hunt. Now I have a much larger respect for the sport as a whole and want to understand what I am doing and why. That is part of the reason I want to bow hunt now as well, that need to get closer in order to be able to make the perfect shot.

This is just the tip of my question iceberg, but it's a good start. I'd love to be energetic and take this excitement to get a license and get out before year end, but I know that probably is not the wise decision to make. The last thing I want to do is have a bad experience or worse yet, only end up wounding a deer. If you can convince me that I could get out this year, it'd make my day, but I am a realist.


Again, my thanks in advance for any advice and my apologies for introducing myself here and not in the introduction thread.

Regards,

Troy

[The General]

Troy,

This is just my opinion but you need to find yourself a good archery shop in your community.  I would not go to Cabela's or the big box stores until you know what you are doing because more then likely you are not going to get the best information (don't get me wrong you find the right person and they know what they are talking about).  Most often you local archery shop can beat the box stores prices anyway you just have to ask.  When I shot bows I always bought Hoyt but there are many good bows out there.

On public land you do not need a tree or portable stand/blind, but they are nice.  I have hunted many times backing myself up into some brush or using a fallen tree as a blind.  I've had deer within 15 yards plenty of occasions doing it this way. 

[Steve-o]

I have to agree that you should go to a good archery pro shop and they will help you with equipment selection.  I have had very good luck with Bwana Archery in Little Canada.  If you give them your budget they will work with you to find a bow you love and you will know that it is set up correctly.  And its not like the big box stores are that much cheaper either.

Since you are in Shakopee you have lots of public land opportunities.  Me and a buddy regularly hunt the Louisville Swamp, Carver Unit, and Wilkie Unit of the Minnesota Valley Wildlife Refuge.  We have taken deer out of all three spots.  Yes, these places get pressure on the weekends, but they hold deer and you just have to find them.

Many hunters are happiest in a tree stand, but remember if you go to public land you need to have strap-on stands and steps or ladders.  And these can be heavy to carry unless you invest in the aluminum stuff.  You may want to focus on getting the bow, scoutting/hunting your areas, and then decide on how to go after the deer with stands or blinds.

[lentz]

What's a good bow to get and where is a good place to go? I have been checking online at Cabela's and just debating if the trip to Owatonna or Rogers is worth it. I'm sure a lot of this is by feel, but what's a good size and draw weight? What types of arrows should I get, aluminum or carbon? I don't even want to think about trying to assemble my own yet, so any recommendations? Fixed or mechanical? I am thinking I would lean towards fixed, but have no idea what works best.


as they all said go to a arachery shop they are likely to know what there doing and are willing to teach you

i personaly like the pse stinger its a great price for the bow 399 for the package alls you need to do is buy arrows and a relse i walked out of my local arachery place bow and 6 arrows for $473 plus you will need a release so that will be 50-75$ and i dont know if you can shoot in your back yard but if i were you i would get a screen target because they last a long time (just cant shoot broad heads at them) can get one for like 30$ i think. draw length and weight are up to you they will get your proper draw length and you can decide whatever weight you want the guy at the place i go to he shoots 60 pounds because thats all you need. i use carbon arrows and fix broad heads ( my broad heads are muzzy mx3's)they got the job done last weekend. and i would get a ground blind if your going to be hunting mainly state because its lighter and fairly cheap

just google a few shops tell them your price range and shoot the bows and buy which ones comfertable and then go to the shop which you think is willing to spend more time with you

[Cody Gruchow]

go to CABIN FEVER its in victoria off highway 5. they are very friendly and they know what they are talking about. they can also teach you. the whole fixed or mechanical broadhead question will go 50 50, so go with what you think is best

[sandetr]

Thank you for the replies all. I think I will head over to Cabin Fever in the next couple of days to check them out. I am glad I found this forum and didn't go straight to a big box store. I also appreciate the advice on scouting the land and not investing in the aluminum equipment right away.

I know I had success on the ground with the shotgun, but should I have lower expectations with the bow? I do like the idea of using the natural cover and should have thought of that.

Again, I appreciate the advice and will continue to take input from all that will provide it. Hopefully some day I will be able to give back to the forum.

[lentz]

Stick around there's always good advice poping up

[deadeye]

First of all, sandetr, welcome to the site. Glad you are here and hope to see you around in years to come. 
One thing not memtioned here is the used bow market.  There are a lot of archers who like to get the newest and greatest stuff on the market every year or two.  There are a lot of good bargans to be had.  I would go to an archery shop first to find out some things like your draw length, desired poundage etc.  Then, if you find a used one that meets your requirements, you can bring it to a bow shop and have it set up for you.  As for bow models, it's like asking which is better Ford, Chevy or Dodge.  You will get a different opinion from everyone.  I shoot a Bowtech, why? because I got a good deal on a used one from another MNO member.  I also have PSE I use as a "spare" bow.  Why, I bought is use from a guy who had a medical condition which prevented him from shoot the bow.  My son shoots a Hoyt.  Why, because I won it at a Minnesota Deer Hunters Banquet (shameless plug) several years ago.   
Don't worry too much about being a newbe to the sport.  I started 4 years ago (I'm over 60 now) so you have plenty of time.  I suggest taking it slow, and just expect to make some mistakes along the way.  Mostly don't be overwhelmed by the vast array of bows, arrows, and all the doohinkies available.  Don't feel like you have to get it all at once to be a "bow hunter".
Good luck in your quest.
 

[sandetr]

Thanks deadeye. I appreciate your perspective. I am not overwhelmed yet, but I could see how that could happen easily and I am sure I will likely get there. I am fortunate to have tomorrow off so I am going to go visit some places and have some conversations. Again, thanks for the insight and hopefully I'll be able to share stories sooner rather than later.