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Too cold to pull bow back!!!

kenn1320

Well-Known Member
Sep 15, 2015
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Butt on the ground with feet straight out. Should be able to draw bow smoothly. If not, asking for trouble in tough conditions.

With the knowledge easily found on the internet I would recommend every hunter to learn how to adjust and tweak on there archery equipment. Just use COMMONSENSE and stop before doing something too stupid. Now a days, The equipment is tougher than you think. But remember your eyes and flesh are not. My tailgate knowledge has allowed me to continue hunting versus going home on several occasions.

Don't be scared, just be wise.

Sent from my SM-G955U1 using Tapatalk

Unless you shoot a 66" recurve like me. Lol I see enough sky drawing to know many are over bowed.
 
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PastorKen

Well-Known Member
Jul 11, 2018
620
840
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Eagle River, AK
Great advice everyone. I did drop my poundage. It’s not an issue now. It was easy to dial it down because my bow is a solo cam.
And, I have a new backpack big enough to pack in a windbreaker, bibs, and a heavy coat. I’ll also be getting some of those warmer packs that have adhesive to stick on my base layer.
I really appreciate the help. I just wish it had happened on a doe instead of that buck. I was on public land and that was a once in a lifetime buck. But I’m thankful I got a good look at him. I actually rattled him up. So that’s worth something I think. Happy New Year to you all!
 
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Sipsey

Well-Known Member
Dec 24, 2016
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W. Alabama
Sounds good! That’s all part of any sport, learning. Several decades ago my 1st bow was a 50 lb. Browning wasp. I practiced a lot and the first deer that came by I put it right behind the shoulder of a six point, it was quartering a little, but not much. I spent hours trailing to no avail.

I decided (wrongly) that my bow was just not powerful enough and got a 65lb. recurve, Bear brush bow. That was tough little bow. There was one bow hunting magazine on the market back then. I found an article about using exercise springs with wooden handles to do a series of exercises to build up specific muscles to pull back heavier poundages.

What was interesting was that there were different routines for recurve vs compounds. It makes sense because of the different way each stacks the weight pulled.

It helped a lot with that short Bear recurve. I’m sure a specific routine prior to and during the season could really make drawing ones bow an easier task in awkward or cold conditions.

I’ve moved on to a crossbow in my old age, but does anyone have a specific routine just for their bows.
 

Nutterbuster

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Oct 12, 2017
10,069
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Where the skys are so blue!
@Sipsey, I do a lot of kayaking, which helps with back, shoulders, and core. I also do my pushups and pullups (corps dad).

I strongly discourage folks from two very common activities: excessively shooting your bow and using therabands to "build strength." Shoulders are complicated and fairly fragile, and non-symetric exercises with relatively heavy weights are not good for you.

Working with probably thousands of customers who were looking to transfer to a crossbow, it was amazing how many veterans of the 80+lb draw weight days had shoulder issues. I would love to see it studied, because there is no doubt in my mind that years of yanking those heavy bows back had something to donwith those bum shoulders.
 

Sipsey

Well-Known Member
Dec 24, 2016
615
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W. Alabama
I agree with you on an overall strengthening strategy. After surgery on both shoulders and extensive rehab, I’ve come to value them even more. I have few issues at 67 but it’s one of the reasons I went with a crossbow. Doing the same repetitive motion of any body part too zealously will result in issues.

I remember a quote from a world class marathon runner who said, “There are only so many marathons in a body.” I think that can be applied across the board.

The exercises I did years back were extensive and varied and were in addition to an athletic, youthful lifestyle at the time.

Any endeavor of a physical nature can be elevated to an art form with the proper foundation of preparation and application. I’ve studied and written about the history of archery and some of its heralded string pullers and makers. I am amazed what an individual can accomplish with string and stick when they go “all in.” But then again, that’s kinda like life, isn’t it?
 

SloMo

Well-Known Member
Dec 2, 2018
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Wilmington Ma (Z10)
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Wilmington Ma
My shoulder would lock from time to time so now I use a rubber exercise band tied to a cleat in my truck bed. Its the last thing I do before I close the bed and head in . Hasn`t locked since. Try it at home. It works.
 
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