Archery Equipment Advice

[BEvans]

This year I planned on helping my father with the muzzleloader elk tag he was expected to draw and go OTC for myself. Unfortunately, he had a surprise brain tumor and passed away during application season. After failing to pull a tag in the draw, I’ve decided to go OTC archery. This is a trip I’ve been planning for a couple years and was originally going to do in 2027. Now with only a couple months until the season, I’m trying to refamiliarize myself with equipment I haven’t practiced with since 2021.

I don’t know much about archery and looking for advice on my current gear and any gear upgrades I should make.

My bow is a diamond infinite edge pro. The bow string doesn’t look bad, but the string is 5 years old and has been sitting in a closet almost just as long. Should I get the string replaced? The bow tuned? Just get a new, higher quality bow? Will this bow be good enough?

The sight is an apex gear 5 pin of some kind, but I’m not sure what model it is. The arrow rest is a trophy taker throwdown fall away.
The arrows I previously used are 340 grain gold tip hunters. My buddy who originally set my bow up for hunting recommended these arrows and I have no idea why he chose them. I don’t know if there was a specific reason for these arrows and I should stick to them or if there’s a whole process for selecting arrows. I also don’t know how to pick broadheads and could use some advice on that.

I’m sure I’m missing some important details and would love to hear any thoughts/opinions/advice y’all have to share.

Here’s a picture of the bow in case there is something obviously wrong that I don’t see.

 

[Rack Daniels]

There are a ton of people on here that will have some good advice. Just at a glance, it looks like the sight is slightly canted “down” but it may be the angle of the photo? I would take it to a bow shop and have them give it a once-over. They will check all the moving parts.
The string may be good enough to hunt without being dangerous per se but is likely stretched and will not have the same energy and may not tune well or shoot to its potential. Strings take time to order so I’d get that coming right away if you’d like to hunt this fall with it. The arrows will work just fine as long as they’re cut to YOUR draw length. Most on here will tell you fixed blade over expandable broadheads but only time and experiences will allow you to form an opinion. Bow shop can help you with a lot of your questions like arrow selection and stuff. Otherwise, I’d say that’s a nice setup and you’re not far from being able to hunt with it. I’m sorry about your Dad. Good luck and God bless..

 

[pabearhunter]

AGREED take it to a GOOD bow shop and let them tell you what is good and what is bad. At 5 years old I would definably get it restrung !

 

[golfer]

New string for sure. Take it to a repuatable shop. Have them tune it to you. Depending on draw weight and length, that will help figure out what spine arrow to use.

 

[Bhoesl]

Only thing I’ll add that I didn’t see mentioned yet is Practice, Practice, Practice. A bow isn’t like a rifle that you can shoot once or twice to verify the scope is on, and be good to go. Archery takes alot more practice to develop the proper form, muscle memory, etc. If your hunt is only a couple months away, I would definitely start practicing ASAP, and shoot as often as possible, even a few arrows every day.
Sorry to hear about your father, and good luck on your hunt.

 

[typhoon916]

Id get it restrung just for the peace of mind and what other ppl have said above about practicing, also get your form good and paper tune it . Good arrow flight equals good results on paper and game

 

[Mule Kick]

Yep take it to a shop. We can easily judge from afar but it will be better to have it looked at in person by a pro. It’s their job after all! Good luck

 

[Bob-WY]

Much you didnt mentiio. Yes, new string is a good idea, also cables.

340 grain arrow will depend on draw weight and length. They are on the lighter end for elk. GOOD broadhead, again draw length and weight matter here for KE and if you need COC heads, which are never a bad idea.

Do not delay on a string if you go that way. It MIGHT be ok to keep what you have, but wax it. Strings break in 2 ways, eithe broken strands from use/abuse or from drying out and getting brittle.

A GOOD bow shop can do all. You will have to completely retune to get BH flying true.

 

[KYKRAZEE]

This year I planned on helping my father with the muzzleloader elk tag he was expected to draw and go OTC for myself. Unfortunately, he had a surprise brain tumor and passed away during application season. After failing to pull a tag in the draw, I’ve decided to go OTC archery. This is a trip I’ve been planning for a couple years and was originally going to do in 2027. Now with only a couple months until the season, I’m trying to refamiliarize myself with equipment I haven’t practiced with since 2021.

I don’t know much about archery and looking for advice on my current gear and any gear upgrades I should make.

My bow is a diamond infinite edge pro. The bow string doesn’t look bad, but the string is 5 years old and has been sitting in a closet almost just as long. Should I get the string replaced? The bow tuned? Just get a new, higher quality bow? Will this bow be good enough?

The sight is an apex gear 5 pin of some kind, but I’m not sure what model it is. The arrow rest is a trophy taker throwdown fall away.
The arrows I previously used are 340 grain gold tip hunters. My buddy who originally set my bow up for hunting recommended these arrows and I have no idea why he chose them. I don’t know if there was a specific reason for these arrows and I should stick to them or if there’s a whole process for selecting arrows. I also don’t know how to pick broadheads and could use some advice on that.

I’m sure I’m missing some important details and would love to hear any thoughts/opinions/advice y’all have to share.

Here’s a picture of the bow in case there is something obviously wrong that I don’t see.
View attachment 410679

Like alot of folks are sayin, take it to a REPUTABLE archery shop and explain what your goal is and go by their advice. But first and foremost MAKE SURE its a trusted bow shop and not just someone wanting to sell you things you dont need. Second, is practice,practice, practice, and then practice some more. Its all about repetition, do EVERYTHING THE SAME EVERYTIME. If when you draw you have a kisser button and you touch it with your tongue ....do it every time. If you settle in to your sights and you find the pin your using, do it the same everytime. Good luck and condolences about your dad.

 

[BEvans]

I appreciate all the advice, I will be sure to get a new string. If anyone is familiar with a reputable bow shop around Fort Collins, I'd love to hear it. A quick google search and it looks like I will have to go a little ways to find a shop. As far as practicing goes, I plan on practicing every work day once my bow is good to go. I do recall from practicing way back when, at 40 yards I would get 2 3 inch groupings. Around 60% would land where I was aiming but the other 40% would group about 6 inches higher and I never figured out what I was doing different. I was going to wait until I started practicing to see if that issue magically went away but it has been a concern in the back of my mind. Any advice on that would be appreciated.

 

[Pucky Freak]

Your time schedule is too short. My first advice is to skip the hunt. Or OTC rifle.

If you are dead set on going, don’t waste time on getting your set-up working. You don’t have time to burn if you’re going to get as much practice in as possible. Any of a couple dozen things could go wrong, and before you know it is opening day.

Specific equipment is relatively unimportant - it just needs to work. Go to a reputable bow shop, buy a used or new bow and have them set it up. They’re going to give you the time and attention you need to start getting reps in with a perfectly configured set-up.

 

[Rack Daniels]

Flip your knock 180 degrees on the wonky ones and see if that makes a difference? Look for glue or small knicks and tears around the veins..? Put it on a spinner and look for wobble, like rolling a pool cue on the table?
Lot of little things it could be… watch your posture and follow through with letoff… practice and exposure, successfully working through problems makes it all feel much less daunting in the future

 

[grizzly63]

Form,form,form. practice alot and have someone who has some knowledge watch you if you are having a problem. The bow shop should help a lot. Join a club or spend time at a range.

 

[grizzly63]

The bow doesn't kill, its where the arrow lands that makes the difference.

 

[cgasner1]

Don’t over think it and practice. Isn’t that hard just put the pointy stick through the elk. You just need to make sure you can put it there. Also id recommend a good mechanical head one less thing to fiddle with.