Shoot a lot of bows. Take the bowshops advice with a grain of salt on different things...choose a bow that feels good to you. When in doubt take a bow enthusiast friend with you and again take their advice with a grain of salt and pick the bow that feels best to you. You are the one shooting it. Everyone thinks their bow is the best because its what's best for them or they have confidence with it. I grew up in michigan and Dartons are what i have always shot. And for recurves i shoot a blackwidow. Archery is ten times better than gun hunting and i love guns...bows are just more fun to hunt with. I love shooting guns but i have never shot a big game animal with a gun...i have shot lots with my bow...good luck and i hope you get into it. Its a rush you have never felt before