The 300$ price range is going to limit you to the older and heavier Oneida models.......they shoot good but if you aren't careful when you buy you could end up putting more money into it for worn parts / cables...or getting the draw weight down where you want it. I like the lever bows and now shoot an Osprey....already been through the phase you are in now. Had a Screaming Eagle, and Aero Force but didn't like the weight so started buying other bows. I also have a D2 and it is a great little bow....the 29lb model is great for everything I do. Plenty of punch and rigged out it will still be in your price range.

 

I scour craigslist everyday, they are out there for reasonable prices.

The older Oneidas are still fine shooters, I have a 95 Tomcat II that is awesome, their just heavier than the newer models!

 

Thanks. Most likely I'll start with the D2. Seems like a can't go wrong with that from a price and performance standpoint. I'll keep looking for an Oneida I. The future.

 

You can find older Screamers, H250, H500 bows for $50-75 on Craigslist if your patient and also quick with cash if you find them. Look the cables over for wear and yoke saddles As well as the big round timing wheel adjustment and cams for cracks( some of the early bows had plastic cams and timing wheels) Almost all Oneidas you find used are out of time and draw rough, but are easy to tune and adjust if need be and lots of help available if need be. The older bows are heavier, but are talking ounces not pounds of difference between a bare screamer and bare osprey or black eagle. For hundreds less in price. I still shoot a 1985 H250 I have had since new .. Joe at American Eagle Bows can hook you up with anything you need and has videos on servicing your oneida on his site also and is a site sponsor.

 

I enjoy shooting the Craigslist Finds that I have breathed new life into with Joe's (American Eagle Bows) help with parts when needed. Area 5150's Boar has helped me with SS hardware. Gargod builds me new custom strings when I need them. The bows are relatively inexpensively new and upgraded when I'm done. I like the Screaming Eagles and H250's best. Cracked and warped wheels seem to be the weakest links in my opinion.
Spend you money as you choose. Want to get started shooting? Buy a bow that's ready to go and proven. Want a project: buy an old lever action bow. There's no reason you can't get your shooter set up and buy the project to play with. My wife would probably shoot me if I brough another bow into our house, though...

 

kinda like garpwacker said- just stay away from the plastic cams and plastic limb tips if you can. imo- stay back from the aero-force and strikeforce even though they are stout they may tip the scales around 9-10lbs set up. its just not gonna be fun for very long.

 

Just weighed my H250 set up, rest , retriever and extended bottle and arrow was 5lb 11oz , can't see a Strike or Aero force being a whole 3-4lbs heavier...like I said the difference is ounces not pounds.

 

From my experience people usually love Oneidas or hate them. But on this site most people love them. The older bows can still kill plenty of fish

 

Great Bows, I would recommend trying an Oneida out and if you like it try picking up a used one like others have stated. For low poundage bowfishing bows even the plastic cams and limb tips work fine. The plastic limb tips limit the bows to Dacron string materials and the plastic cams over time can deform or cables can pull out. Even with these issues if you find one in good shape, should shoot good for many years of bowfishing.

 

cant go wrong with any Oneida really, like everyone has said the older models are heavier but still do fine for fish sticking, I started with a tomcat III. and once you shoot a Oneida you wont go back to a wheel bow. Once you have one just keep after craigslist and have the money to spend ive bought several black eagles and ospreys in the $300-$500 range but they go fast so keep your eyes out and good luck

 

You can't go wrong with the D2 either, I shoot mine almost as much as I do my Black Eagle and Tomcat II, if I'm shooting in shallower that 3' it's the D2, deeper stuff I shot the Oneidas!

Plus PSE just came out with some 40# models that look really sweet! Like the Reaper!

 

I just joined the Onieda crowd. Scored me an Eagle from Craigslist on trade. All it cost me was an iPad Mini which I never used. Gonna hand it over to Joe for a little TLC and a fresh look.

 

Welcome to the cool kid club