Terrible, terrible experience.

As a beginner bow hunter looking to get into the sport, I've taken the advice of many friends and TexAger's of staying away from the "big box" stores and hitting a local pro shop for 1-on-1 attention. I drove out to Viking today hoping to find a fairly empty store and someone that was willing to spend time with me.

I was the ONLY customer in the entire store. Perfect, right? No way. I explained how I was a rookie and needed help with everything from draw length to selecting a bow that fit me. The guys response: "All these bows do the same thing, any will fit you - its just about how much you want to spend."

Ok - not off to a good start. I ask if they have any bows that I can shoot - with assistance- in the EMPTY range behind the counter. He tells me they don't have any set up to shoot. Super. I eventually get the dude to measure my draw length. I give him one more shot - asking if he had any other advice or help he could give me. His response: "Talk to your bow hunting buddies, see what they like, then come back with more infomation." Thats what I came to YOU for dingbat!

In and out the door in 10 min tops. So much for better customer service at a local pro shop. Driving home, I was really turned off to the store and bow hunting in general. He made me feel it was above me. Anyone have advice for a bow shop in the Houston area that will help? I'm looking at driving up to Spring/Humble today. Google is showing two places up there.

God help me if I can find anyone that will get off the stool behind the counter.

Yep. Best bow experience I got was at Cabela's in FT Worth. The behind the counter was more than helpful and more than willing to earn my business.

Was it the old man? If so, that's why. He's notorious for being an A-hole. If his son (the blonde one, Brad, I think) was there, you would have been treated better.

Generally, bow shops don't want a rookie shooting their bows b/c theres risk in it. A novice shooter could ruin a good bow. I went in there knowing what I was talking about, and the owner let me shoot HIS Hoyt Vectrix. I shot 5 in the 10 ring with it and 4 out of 5 in the X ring.

Shoot me an email (tx4guns@aol.com), and I might be able to help you out on selection. AggieChemist is another good bowhunting source, as I just target shoot right now. I plan to get a new (used) bow over the summer and start bowhunting next year.

I had a similar experience my first time at Viking, the guy I talked with wasn't helpful at all. He did recommend about an $800 'starter' bow for me though. I went up to Bow Zone in Humble, and they were really helpful.

To be fair, I've been back to Viking a couple of times for some random things, and they have been helpful...I guess it just depends on the day.

Yeah, it was the old man. Brad was there too, but he wasn't the one that helped out. I understand the liablity of having a beginner shoot a bow - and I offered to do it with his assistance.

I said as many things as I could to make myself sound educated about the industry - and I've done A LOT of research online, so I know what I'm looking for. Guess it didn't help.

Here's something I've been using: http://www.archeryhistory.com/techevaluation/2007Face-Off_Results_ArcheryTalk.pdf

Any reccomendations for a shop in Houston?

Techsan - You liked Bow Zone? Thats one of the places I was looking at going.

Are they going to help me out/ let me shoot a little? I just can't go for buying a bow without shooting it. Would anyone here buy a 1 grand set of golf clubs without swinging them? No freaking way.

dont get discouraged, dont give that a-hat that kind of power.

do go into a big store if you are more comfortable

read reviews online so you have some models in mind



i just got into bowhunting this last year. i did the same thing you did and got nearly the same treatment. (around the memphis, tn area, not houston). in the end, i didnt buy from either a big store or a small shop. i bought a year end close out model from http://www.mountain-archery.com/ (an awesome diamond black ice) and saved 200 off the next cheapest place, which was a sportsmans warehouse.

dont be intimidated by the people behind the counter. who cares if you dont know what you are talking about. its not like you are going to go hang out with them at the end of the day.

just find a place that will let you shoot a lot of their bows. go on a weeknight and chances are you will get more attention then weekend shoppers.

have fun.




btw, they still have the 2007 black ice's going for 459.

this is a good resource:

http://www.huntersfriend.com/bowselection.htm

They let me shoot any bow in the store that I wanted to. The guy that helped me out was named Richard (I think?).

You might try Santa Fe Archery, too. I've been there, as well, and they let you shoot whatever they have in stock. Nice guys over there.

Also, please don't get caught up in the "marketing hype" of all the big name brand bows. Let's face it, bows are simply meant to do a job like a good tool. If the tool performs it's intended function, that is all that really matters. There a plenty of lower cost alternative bows out there that will shoot over 285 fps. Don't get all caught up in the "our bow shoots 325 IBO" crap. In reality, that same bow once it's outfitted probably shoots 290. There are a lot of dead deer out there that can't say much about the arrow that zipped through them at 260 fps. Point is, shop around and don't feel pressured to buy a $700 bow when you can buy a good used bow for $200. There are a lot of used bows out there if you're patient. I would also check out the Hunter's Friend web site as it has a lot of really good info. Good luck and hope you enjoy the sport!

All i can say is don't give up. I myself was lucky and went into Sullivan's here in Bryan. I ended up talking to the young guy (college student) that has been there about 4 yrs. I told him (at the time) i was a novice and he gladly walked me around and showed me all the bells and whistles you can get on a bow. I took almost all of his recommendations and spent $525 on my first new bow (only thing missing was a bow case). It wasn't the top of the line bow, but it was one i could definitely learn on (Hoyt UltraSport). I have since sold that bow and a few others i have bought and then fixed up and resold. Now I have a Switchback XT that i love, but i would not spend the $1300 i spent on mine with all the goodies for a person's first bow. As i mentioned before, I have worked on several other people's bows for them and have yet to get a negative response... maybe cause i don't charge anyone for the work... I really enjoy doing it, so it's really a both win situation... if you are ever this way and need a little insight/work done, i'd be glad to help you or anyone out to that affect.

Double G Archery in G-Town is a great place to visit when in the area.

Conservatives for Fred in 2008!

Gig'em Aggies
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Definition of teasip:

1. teasip

One of alternate lifestyle and reality. Delusions of grandeur is a main symptom. One who has limp wrists and a small junk is a telltale sign.
favorite color = rainbow.
Whiney.

Pee Wee Hermanlike. The other guy on "Will & Grace" TV show.

Anyone that attended texas university is a teasip.

Viking is horrible. Do a little searching on www.texasbowhunter.com and you will see that your experience wasn't out of the ordinary.

If you're in the CS area, go to Sullivan's. They've been stand-up since I was in school there (and probably before) '95-'01, so they are probably the same now. I'm pretty sure Eddie is still running it.

Thanks for the overwhelming response Ag's. I won't give up.

Drove out to Bow Zone in Humble and found them very helpful. Shot a Matthews, Bowtech Tomkat and a one I've never heard of - Mission bows. The guy at the shop said they just got started in '07 and it won't be long before they get popular. It was quite and balanced really nicely.

I'm still at the drawing board wanting to shoot more and talk to more people. I'll make sure to spend some time at Sullivan's next time I'm in CS. Thanks for the help guys!

Your name and this thread......coincidence?

I am about to start looking for bows as well since I was given one for Xmas. I think I am going to take the advice of "lglidewell" and hit up Sullivan's. Buying a bow sounds like it is as difficult as buying a truck. Once you buy it, then you have to tint the windows, get a bedliner, install a CD player, put on a bumper and add the spinner rims. $140,000 later you have a finished product. It is almost like they just give the bow away to make money on all the stuff they know that you have to add to it. I guess I will get my bow this year and after 10 more years of Xmas presents, then I will have everything I need to shoot it in around 2018 or so.

last time i'm offering-

PSE Nova with 29", #70 draw. Taken out of the box under 10 times. Hunted with two or three times. comes with a 80-$100 Scott release, target, arrows, whisker biscuit, sights, -full set up ready to go.

$275

Pieces Scattered Everywhere

Pull Shoot Explode

Pretty Sh*tty Equipment