-By Brandon Wikman
Strolling into your local archery pro shop, or simply thumbing through the pages of last months hunting magazine in search of a new bow is like trying to pick your favorite candy off the shelf! It can be a real sticky situation that is sure to make any archer nutty.
The Crunch - It seems nowadays bows may retail as much as last month’s paycheck! At the rate manufacturers have been slapping price labels on bows, there seems to be no limit. When looking for a quality bow, putting the crunch on your bank account isn’t necessary. People seem to have the common belief that if it’s more expensive, it’s better. That is often times a false accusation.
In today’s day and age, the latest technology and super radical gizmos built in, on, or around bows seem to draw the most attention. It is important that we let the bow speak for itself, rather than putting faith into the wise and witty marketing team that creates the fancy designs, eye-popping ad layouts, and power to force you to buy their product. There isn’t a way to draw upon conclusions until you actually have the bow in your hands and in action. Let the sales gurus put their ad money where their mouth is, and see if the bow does what it’s supposed to do.
The Taste - I’ve always believed you can tell a man by the bow he shoots. A bow is a mirror image of what we crave and expect, whether it’s looks, feel, or performance.
There are several bow manufacturers who make great youth bows, including PSE, Browning, and Whisper Creek. Whisper Creek Archery’s new lineup consists of the Panther and Phantom. These bows fill a gap in the current archery market between youth and adult bows. The Panther is 31" axle-to-axle, set with parallel limbs, and was carefully built for a newcomer or seasoned hunter. It’s adjustable from 20 to 50 pounds, and has draw length capabilities from 17-27 inches! It’s important to look for versatility in a bow with the ever so changing teenager.
The Phantom is specifically designed for people just getting into the sport of archery, a perfect bow for a young gun that has never shot or held a bow in their life. This 29" axle-to-axle also comes with the works. The draw length can be adjusted from 14 to 24 inches without the use of a bow press.
We all know that the future of hunting is in the hands of today’s youth. We must equip them with not only the right gear, but demonstrate leadership and role modeling skills to preserve our heritage. I cannot stress the importance of getting kids involved into shooting and hunting early.
The After Taste - Savoring your purchase to the very end is imperative. If you’re willing to make an investment on a brand new bow, you need to know your satisfaction is guaranteed. Take time to talk with several people, surf the web, meet with dealers, and don’t be afraid to call the company directly to ask questions. Purchasing a bow for your newcomer is a ‘sweet’ deal!
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