Compound bow for 12yo boy

[sarahbn]

My 12 year old son came home from Scout camp asking for a compound bow. I know nothing at all about bows. Can anyone fill me in as to what kind of compound bow would be best for him, about how much I should pay for one, and where best to get one?

[Ruminus]

My 12 year old son came home from Scout camp asking for a compound bow. I know nothing at all about bows. Can anyone fill me in as to what kind of compound bow would be best for him, about how much I should pay for one, and where best to get one?

Am I horrible that my first thought was "Where are you going to find a compound bow that fires a 12yo and how would you nock them?"

Anyway, the guys at Sportsman's Warehouse or Cabela's are good in my experience for fitting someone for a bow. Again, going back to my archery experience, a bow is a very individual weapon, and has to be fit and tuned to the person that's going to use it.

For a starter bow, Bear® Archery Fred Bear Brave 3 Package from Cabela's looks like a good deal as you get a biscuit rest and quiver in the package, and it's $75. I started with a Bear, and actually used it for deer hunting for a few years, after a few minor additions (hydraulic dampers, stabilizer, etc).

[Sam Fidler]

My son expressed a similar interest at about the same age. Like me, he tends to have lots of interests but not many passions so I was reluctant to spent a bunch of money on a quality compound bow. We ended up buying him this simple recurve bow for Christmas and he has been quite happy with it.

[DaKnife]

I like the Bear option. I'm a fan of bear, every compound I've used has been a Bear model. The key to look for is how easy is it to adjust the draw weight and length. That way he can grow into it. With modern bow designs there isn't a noticible change in bow size as you move int hunting bows, but rather in the draw weight.

You want something you can start with a light pull until he gets the basics down. Then you start increasing the draw weight until you get into the range required to hunt. The bear I started with was my father's old Bear, he started me with a 25lb pull until he was sure I could safely draw and hold, then he started bumping up the pull.

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[quychang]

Am I horrible that my first thought was "Where are you going to find a compound bow that fires a 12yo and how would you nock them?"

I think a catapult would be more effective for a 12 yo, but I'd wait until he turned 13, by then you'll want to get as much distance as possible.

Mel

[sarahbn]

Am I horrible that my first thought was "Where are you going to find a compound bow that fires a 12yo and how would you nock them?"

I think a catapult would be more effective for a 12 yo, but I'd wait until he turned 13, by then you'll want to get as much distance as possible.

Mel

LOL, I have a few boys of various ages that I'd love to throw with a catapult, but I suspect they might enjoy it too much.

[RustyShackleford]

This is what scouting is all about! Peak their intrests...and hope your boy comes home from camp excited about the shooting sports more than the basket weaving and building of boondogle key chains...not that there is anything wrong with that.

[DaKnife]

But if they get into boondoggle they can make all kinds of perty keychains and sell them door to door. At least until someone tells them their "Mom goes to college" and they run off without their merchandise.

[sarahbn]

But if they get into boondoggle they can make all kinds of perty keychains and sell them door to door. At least until someone tells them their "Mom goes to college" and they run off without their merchandise.

Oh, he's WAY past boondoggles and into stuff like picking locks, making BB cannons out of erasers, and getting his ham radio license. We're so proud!

[UtahCFP]

Am I horrible that my first thought was "Where are you going to find a compound bow that fires a 12yo and how would you nock them?"

Tie their shoelaces together.

[Sam Fidler]

Am I horrible that my first thought was "Where are you going to find a compound bow that fires a 12yo and how would you nock them?"

Tie their shoelaces together.