Question for bowhunters - and their kids

[UpTheIrons]

I almost put this in the hunting sub-forum, but thought it would get wider play here.

Our kids (8 and 10) are itching to have their own bows, so "Santa" will likely bring them one this year. Any recommendations out there from the youth market? I saw these from Fuse, http://www.fusearchery.com/youth/ but can't seem to find them anywhere for sale for less than $180. I'm looking for something that will grow with them, like the Freestyle, but I'd like to keep it under $150, if possible.

I have also seen the Mathew's Genesis, http://mathewsinc.com/mathews-bows-1126 ... 76-324.asp but I have no idea what it is like, aside from Mathews being one of the top names in bows.

Thanks for any hints or direction!

[Crossfire]

I will admit, I know NOTHING about bowhunting. No being that brave, I prefer to use a firearm.

But, a quick search at http://www.Cabelas.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; found this one on sale for $59.88

[TLE2]

Just a cautionary tale.

I'm not a bow hunter (although a bow is on my list), but my granddaughter's father is. So, I looked on line at Cabela's for a compound bow, picked one out that "looked good" and bought it for her for Christmas.

After she got it, her dad took her to a bow shop to have a few things done. The pulls too short (but still usable). There were a couple of more issues.

My recommendation (which is 'salty') is:

1) Buy a recurve bow, get them used to the idea of the bow and shooting it, then later as their skills and enthusiasm grows;
2)Go to a bow shop and have one fitted, or at least look on-line to find how to measure for pull length, a fit the compound bow that way. (I think its the span fingertip to fingertip divided by 2.5) Pull and drop-off (let off?) are also of concern.

Just my 2c

[psijac]

Some game is not bow friendly especially the smarter critters. I heard of someone in virginia who hunted turkey with a bow. Took him12 years to draw on one successfully another year to actually shoot it.