How Much It Costs to Go Bow Hunting
I thought it would be interesting to calculate what it would cost to get back into archery. For this experiment, I assumed that the person has very little to get started and will need to buy everything. I used Bass Pro Shops prices. This says nothing about whether you should go to a store like Bass Pro or Cabelas versus a local pro shop. Bass Pro just made it easy to get the numbers for the sake of this post. So, here it goes.
Bow
PSE Nova Hunter S8 Compound Bow Package - $279.99
I am going to pick the PSE Nova due to good online reviews. This prepackage bow combination is designed as a entry level bow. Bass Pro Shops describes it as…
Perfect entry-level bow. Slight-reflex machined-aluminum riser; compression molded limbs; 70% let-off Synergy 8 machined-aluminum cams. Brace height: 6-3/4″. IBO Speed: 295 fps. Axle-to-axle length: 37-3/8″. Weight: 3 lbs. 8 oz. Color: Universal camo.
“Set Up, Ready to Shoot” with factory installed accessories. Package includes: 3-pin fiber-optic sight, prong-style arrowrest, Mongoose 6-arrow quiver, peep sight, sling and nock loop.
I’ve heard some people suggest upgrading the pre-packaged accessories. For this example, we will keep all of them.
Bow Accessories
- Plano Protector Compact Bow Case - $29.99 - I don’t need to go with the camo pattern. So, we’ll save $5 here and go with black.
- Release: RedHead XPS Caliper Bow Release - $29.99
- Stabilizer: LimbSaver S-Coil Stabilizer - $16.99
- Kisser Button: Deluxe Kisser Button - $1.99 - I’m splurging a bit here. I am getting the Deluxe kisser button.
Arrows
- Arrows: RedHead CM Blackout Arrows - $59.99 (for 6)
- Field Tips: Satellite Field Points - $4.99 (for 12)
- Broadheads: RedHead Blackout Fixed-Blade - $24.99 (for 3)
Target
- Deadstop Carbon 5000 Bag - $34.99 - Didn’t know what to get here. What ever happened to hay bails?
Accessories
- Bowstring Wax: Seal-Tite Bowstring Wax - $4.99 - I need this stuff, right?
- Silencers: Whisker String Silencers - $2.99
- Split Limb StabilizerL LimbSaver AlphaShox - $17.99
- Arm Guard: Neet Pull Adjust Armguards - $14.99
Clothing (*For the sake of this example, I am going to assume that people have shirts, sweaters, long underwear for layers underneath.)
- RedHead Silent-Hide All-Season Jacket - $69.96 - This jacket gets good reviews and looks like I can wear it throughout the season.
- RedHead Woodland Camo Pants for Men - $19.88 - I’ll use these early in the season.
- RedHead Silent-Hide™ Insulated Bibs for Men - $59.95 - I’ll use these late in the season.
- RedHead Beanie Camp - $9.99
- Primos Stretch Fit 1/2 Mask - $9.95
- RedHead Shooter’s Gloves - $19.95
- RedHead Buddy-LokScout Fanny Pack - $14.95
- RedHead Thunderlight™ Camo Rain Jacket - $29.95
- Rocky 10” Blizzard Stalker Boots for Men - $79.99 - My feet get cold very quickly. I want a good boot.
Scent Elimination
- RedHead® Endura Scent Elimination 5 Pack - $27.88
Treestand
- Ameristep Hitman Climber Treestand - $219.99
- Hunter Safety System® Treestalker Safety Vest/Harness - $74.99 - My wife says I have to use a vest if I am headed up a tree.
Total
Is that it? Let me get out my calculator. The grand total is $1162.30. Now, I have some of this stuff as I am sure most hunters who are thinking about getting back into archery do. Certainly, you can spend a lot more or a little less on many of the items that I’ve mentioned. I will be trying to hit yard sales hard this spring to get some of this stuff at a discounted rate.
Posted: February 25th, 2008 under PA Hunting.
Comments: 3
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