Trad Gang
Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: MnFn on December 13, 2024, 11:38:49 AM
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Just curious, If you are 70 years old or older what
bow weight are you currently shooting?
I am 72 and can shoot 52# or thereabouts. I wouldn’t pick it for a 3D bow but for hunting it’s fine.
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Not 70 yet but fixing to turn 69. I'm shooting 49# on my regular bow. I use it for hunting and 3D. I can shoot 52-53 easily enough but see no reason to.
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I’m 76…most of my bows are 45 to 47 @28…but my draw is just a bit over 26”, so I’m shooting about 42/43lbs. No trouble killing stuff using ace and Simmons head…
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I've got a lot of bows, but can't bring myself to set down my Brackenbury. It's 54#. My arms begin to get a little more tired a little sooner, I'm still convinced my better solution for myself is the gym than downsizing. I'm 74.
It would be really, really nice if I'd engage my brain, take an extra second, and aim before releasing an arrow. This year, I got one beautiful shot and biffed it because I thought it was a "chip-shot" and didn't need to engage my brain.
Oh, well.
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I like the way you think Bob. I’m in the same boat, re: the gym. And shooting for that matter.
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I'm 72 and shoot a 47# at my 27" draw Stickflinger. I do not feel under bowed.
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I am 84 and still shoot almost everyday. I am shooting a super Kodiak at 45. I can soot my Seneca at 60 lbs but it it is just to much to shoot 6 arrows and I don’t want to put my shoulder out. I’m hoping i make it 90 and still shoot . If 45lbs becomes to much I’ll drop down in in weight :archer2: :archer2: :archer2:
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I'm not 70, gotta ways to go to get there....
Are you wanting a longbow or recurve?
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I'm 78 and shoot around 45#, give or take a few, at 28 inches.
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I just turned 80 this year. When I was 70, I bought a 47# recurve that was easy for me to pull, and I thought that would be the last hunting bow I would ever need to buy. Well, at 80 I can't hold that 47# bow steady enough to consistently hit anything with it, so my new normal is a 40# bow, that I can hold as steady as I used to be able to hold that 47# bow. Things change guys. If I make it to 90, I’m sure I’ll look back fondly on the days when I could hold a 40# bow steady enough to hit something with it. Enjoy it while you can.
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Turned 71 years young in November, try to shoot every day weather permitting. Shoot recurve and longbow 45-50 lbs.
Limit myself to around two dozen shots, looking for quality not quantity. Some days I may shoot morning and evening.
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I'm 79 and shoot a 43lbs@29" Toelke Chinook Recurve and a 45lbs@29" Toelke Super D. I can shoot 70-80 arrows in a session easy.
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I'm 70 and shoot a 55# bow but only pull around 27". It's too much and I have a lighter bow on order. I'm really not sure it's too much or if I just shoot too much and often.
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I’m 72. Until a couple of years ago I was shooting bows around 50#. After heart surgery and cancer I’m shooting two bows that are 43#.
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I must say, you gentlemen are very inspirational. I’m hoping to achieve what you guys are still able to do when I’m your age . My hats off to you all :clapper:
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I am 79+, some heart issues and back issues which has curtailed my hunting the last couple of years. 55#’s is doable but not as fun as it was a couple years ago. 50#-43# is more my comfort zone
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Am 75 with health issues that makes my most accurate weight 30-35#. Sure I can pull back 40# but can’t hit much but 30-31# is my sweet spot.
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This was done recently with 31#, did another one 3 days later plus several other near that busted out the nock taper or split the wood arrows down the middle. So I’ll stick with accuracy over weight everyday!
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Next May (2025) I´ll reach my 70th pole. I´m currently shooting 70-74lbs@28" ELBs in competitions, both field and indoors. I have also a couple of 80-84lbs@28" and shoot them occasionally for fun. I do also have one over 60 pounder waiting for my "retirement" years... :archer:
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I'm 73. I normally shoot 40#'s. I do shoot a 45# ASL which I enjoy. I did pick up a 35# recurve which is fun to shoot. I shoot almost everyday in my basement. It is disappointing to lose my strength as I get older.
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73 here and hunt with 44-45#@29". Hunting with two fake hips is more concerning than the weight bows I use. Getting in and out safely is my priority these days. But have no intention of stopping any time soon-much to my wife's chagrin.
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I'm shooting 43-46# recurves; hunted with a 46# Bear TD this year; My old style SanMarco longbow is 49#. Both are comfortable. Will be 78 in April.
Shick
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This is a very interesting topic. I am turning 62 soon, and "aging" is really on my mind.
I recently went from 60# and 65# down to #50. I am enjoying shooting my bow so much more.
I also hit the gym at least 3 times a week, often 5x. It is a local gym that has a variety of workout programs, and I do a a version of "crossfit light" and I box. I have it in my head that I am training for bowhunting and for "my last decade". I am still carrying an extra 20# but thats diet.
My plan is to keep my arms, back, and shoulders healthy so that I can pull a hunting weight bow as long as I can.
A lot of this stays in my head because of my friendship with Ron LaClair. Ron was a beast of a man in his prime....often hunting with 90# and 100# bows. Well into his 70's I watched him hang treestands, unstring heavy bows while sitting in a recliner.....he was very strong.
I was with him when he shot what I believe was his last arrow. We had just pulled into ShrewHaven. Ron's health was failing...honestly I was irresponsible for taking him up to camp. We got out of the truck and he sat on his chair on the porch....he asked me to string the bow he planned on hunting with. I watched him struggle to pull back that light, 30# pound. He sent a perfect arrow....probably 25 yards to the target and dead on. But that was it. His muscles were failing. He couldn't draw it again.
Watching him struggle with what he would have called "a kids bow" kinda haunts me.
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Terry,
Right now I want to shoot both. I shoot my recurves a little better but I still want to be as competent with my longbows. Currently I have two Black Widows that are 51#, one Tall Tines that I have 47# and 52 # limbs, a Liberty Edge longbow that is 44#, and a St Patrick Lake Mushin Styk longbow that is 48#.
Before I bought my last Black Widow recurve I asked Roger if reducing it at a future date was possible. He checked the build on it and replied they could take 5lbs off that particular bow. So I think I am good for the foreseeable future.
I still have the 40lb Shakespeare “Wonderbow” that started my journey with bowhunting in 1965, just in case the others get too heavy.
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At 75 I try to shoot everyday. I only shoot super-recurves. I prefer the draw-cycle. one piece and ILF limbs.
Weights 45 to 49 LB at 28" I've noticed my draw length seems to have shortened over the years. Every time
I shoot I think of Fred Bears line"Nothing clears the mind like shooting a bow."
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Roger, I am glad you mentioned a memory of the last arrow with Ron.
It reminded me of my uncle Gene, who was a very good bow hunter. He taught me how to set up my bow. I remember my dad and I asking uncle Gene if we could hunt for deer on his land.
Gene was already diagnosed with Parkinson’s but it was early in the progression stages. He replied “sure- you know, I think I could still shoot my old Bear recurve “. So he went out hunting with us. He didn’t get a shot but you could tell he enjoyed going out one last time. Pretty sure that was his last bowhunting opportunity.
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I'm 76 and until my fall (rotator cuff)in June I was shooting my Toelke Whip at 61#. My rehab guy said I could start shooting again this week but light bows. Right now I'm shooting a 35# Bear T/d and have limbs that are 40, 46,48 and 52 to work into. I'll have to see where it goes from here.
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I am just a kid at 65. I shoot a variety of bows from 47# to 63# at my draw length. The heavier bows are sinew backed osage. I do spend time every day drawing bows, perhaps 50-100 times a day to keep muscles in shape. Most importantly I do exercises EVERY DAY isolating my rotator cuff on each arm to keep these little muscles in shape. Shooting heavier bows requires some discipline but it can be done as we get older. Why do I do it? Because it is the bows I own and I am too broke to buy new one. We will see what happens when I'm 70.
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Guys, enjoy it while you can! Arthritis in my shoulder robbed me of my trad bow shooting and hunting. I LOVED trad bowhunting,shooting , making wooden arrows etc. for 55 years. You will never know how much you miss it until its gone.....
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I'm 75 and over the last 5 years I noticed I feel better with about 5 pounds less. I'm trying to hold at or near 45. That's a 20 pound drop from what I was shooting in my 40's.
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I hit the big 70, last Sept.. I'm currently shooting ~61# at my draw length. I used to shoot 64-70# when I was in my 30's, 40's and 50's. Dropped down to the 60# range when I was in my sixties. I'm not a big guy - only 5'-8" 185#. I've been shooting a recurve/longbow since I was 9 years old. Today, I'm more physically active since I retired from the corporate world and bought a farm five years ago. Doing outside work, farm work, digging holes, building buildings, and generally staying active has helped me stay somewhat in decent physical condition - I call it "Farm Fit"... I still hang my own stands, though my 43 year old son says I should wait until he's around to hang stands... in case the "oldman" falls and breaks a hip :biglaugh:
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I am 84. I never could should bows heavier than 40lbs worth a darn so right now I am shooting a Roy Hall 40lb long bow. I also experimenting with a 30lb long bow. I like the lighter bows. One of my friend just dropped from a 50lb to a 40lb bow and he likes it a lot better.
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I will be 70 this year and my compound has been set at 50# for five years and I use 150 grain Magnus Buzzcuts. For my recurve I’m at 40# and use Magnus two blade Stingers.
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71, and have shot 45# for about 20 years now because of a shoulder injury. In the past I shot as much as 94#, but 45# gets the job done just fine on everything from big hogs and deer to bears.
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This reminds me of something my dad said once. We asked him what size boot he wore. He said “Well, I can fit into size nine but a twelve feels a lot better.”
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I think it's like golf. You want to try and shoot your age!
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I'll be 73 in a couple months, shooting my 44# Northern Mist comfortably. I shoot a dozen arrows twice a day.
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I'll be 78 in less than a month. Golden Years my A$$. been shooting 40#+- @ 26" for the last 5-6 years, with the right bow and arrow setup is more than enough for deer. shoot the most poundage you can comfortably and (Most Important) accurately. if you can't hit where you need to, poundage doesn't matter.
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I’ve also got 2steel hips.I don’t hunt like I used to but just retired and looking forward to getting back into it. They’ve got 4 wheelers where I’ll hunt so I won’t have to drag them. I’ve dropped from 60 to 50#due to shoulder injuries. Best of luck to you!
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I'm 80 and can still shoot and hunt with my 55lb. bows. But I prefer using my bows in the 43 to 48lbs.
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I turned 69 last fall, so I’m staring 70 right in the mug this coming year. I think you’ll find a wide spread of draw weights guys still use as they get older. Depends a lot on how much you shoot, injuries of the past, and how good of shape you are in.
I used to shoot pretty heavy bows for many years up to 100# . Those days are gone. Have been for awhile now. I’d be lucky to hold 65# very long now, and won’t shoot that heavy any more. Not because I can’t… because I don’t want to tears something loose. That’s the bad one of getting older is that you don’t heal up like you used to. A torn muscle can take a year to heal up… Sad but true…
Kirk
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I am 83 and don't want to stop shooting. Have a 80% torn right rotator cuff which my doc doesn't think I should fix. He said I should just do exercises. I do them daily. I shoot right handed.
I shoot 38# and 40#. The most weight I ever shot was 53#. I took 22 whitetails, a wild boar and a javelina with a 45#. An elk with the 53. I can shoot about 50 arrows comfortably with the 38#. Good enough for a trad shoot!
Hope that helps
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I am 83 and don't want to stop shooting. Have a 80% torn right rotator cuff which my doc doesn't think I should fix. He said I should just do exercises. I do them daily. I shoot right handed.
I shoot 38# and 40#. The most weight I ever shot was 53#. I took 22 whitetails, a wild boar and a javelina with a 45#. An elk with the 53. I can shoot about 50 arrows comfortably with the 38#. Good enough for a trad shoot!
Hope that helps
Simply amazing :thumbsup:
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I'm 71 and shoot 46# at my draw of 28" hunting. Three D shoots normally 40 - 43 #
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At 82 I've dropped down to 42# from my normal 50# bows for deer hunting , but I'm also not shooting as much as I used to do to keep in shape :archer2:
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Excellent thread!!!!
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I turned 70 in April and due to shoulder issues I've dropped from 45-50# to 35-40# at 30". with the right arrow/broadhead it's still enough to get it done. My hat is off to you guys still pulling heavier bows.
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Started shooting 55# when I was 16 and still at 55# at 73.
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76 years old and currently shootig 43 to 45 pounds at 27" no problems on game. Biggest issue is getting to and from hunting stand.
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Soon be 74. Draw arm shoulder replacement. Was having trouble with my draw when cold. With 30 lbs. I get real good accuracy but it sure seems like a slow arrow, 35 lbs. Not as quite as good accuracy but much faster. I'm going to stay with 35 lbs. 1 more year. Simmons swamp shark and 465 grn. arrow worked this year.
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I will soon be 76, and I have had both shoulders replaced. The bows I still own and shoot range from 43 to 49 pounds. I generally hunt with 45 pounds. I work out at the gym several times to make this possible.
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I'll be 78 in a couple weeks and bad shoulders and cancer has forced me to practice with 30 # longbows and recurves. I have a left hand 35 # longbow that Jerry Brumm made special for me. Being a right-hand shooter most my life I have found I can shoot this lefty pretty good when my left shoulder gives me fits. But, my hunting bow is a RH 62" 37 # Indian Tree longbow which my good friend and Viet Nam brother Rick Shepard made special for me......what a shooter! The Brumm left hander is my backup. I can therefore use the same hunting arrows for either bow. And yes, I like to shoot my deer when they are close around 10 yds or so. Like Elmer Fudd (Bugs Bunny cartoons) ......"Be v-e-r-y q-u-i-e-t" :thumbsup: Horserod
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Turning 76 in a few days and have decided my 70# bow is just to much for me now. I can shot it, but only a couple arrows before I rest my shoulders. Not worth starting shoulder problems. I stepped back to 60# bow hoping I can continue. I do have an old Bear "Bearcat" that is 50# and a joy to shoot. The only problem is the 66" length. It might be a bit long for using in a blind and a might light for some animals.
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Turning 76 in a few days and have decided my 70# bow is just to much for me now. I can shot it, but only a couple arrows before I rest my shoulders. Not worth starting shoulder problems. I stepped back to 60# bow hoping I can continue. I do have an old Bear "Bearcat" that is 50# and a joy to shoot. The only problem is the 66" length. It might be a bit long for using in a blind and a might light for some animals.
A 50# bow with a 500 grain shaft will take an elk down no problem. So don’t worry about that part. Kirk
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A lot of guys mentioned shoulder problems, torn rotator cuff, etc. I have had significant shoulder pain in my bow arm.
I saw a surgeon who thought I should try injections first. i did that and got relief that lasted 8 or 9 months as I recall. I did that about three times and then talked with a PT person who designed some exercises to build up the muscles around the shoulder.
That has worked great. When I started the exercises, it hurt just trying to get my jacket on. Now I am using stretch bands and that has worked very well for me.
As I posted earlier, 51, 52 lb bows are no problem for this 72 year old.
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I'm 76, shooting a 40# Border recurve and a 49# Caribow LB. I shot a javi at LTR last year using the recurve but don't hunt or shoot near as much as I used to. On my string hand my ring finger locks up with too much shooting.
Last year I finally came to the conclusion that if I wanted to stay reasonably strong I needed to work out. Long gone are the days of passive exercise that gave me strength. No more racquetball, skiing, baseball, basketball and NO golf is not really exercise unless you walk and carry your clubs. ... I found an exercise gizmo of resistance bands called the Xfactor, costs about $100 on Amazon. Bands from 15,30 and 60#'s ... It attaches to a door so no having to go to the gym. I use it several times a week and it really works. I do about a dozen different exercises, mostly for arms, back and shoulders. I ride my bike for legs. Shooting my LB is now much more enjoyable other that my finger issue. It has also helped my golf game and my normal every day lifting and chores around the house.
Growing old ain't for sissies and keeping father time at bay takes a bit of work.
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I’m 71 and I shoot bows between 40 and 50 pounds. I switch back and forth. Right now I’m rekindling an old flame with a 50 pound Dwyer Original
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I'll be 73 in March. Still comfortable shooting bows 45-50#. The ones I shoot are 62-66", they're smoother, I believe that helps.
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I'm 71 and shoot 49 @ 27. It's the same bow i've shot for 15 years. i just bought some resistance bands also to help keep me at that weight.
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Friends,
I turn 76 in March. I had to drop from 60# bows, that meant I was at 64# at my 30 " draw length, down to 50# bows that put me right around 53# at my draw length. I am trying to shoot at least 1 quiver of 12 arrows every day. Some days I shoot a 60# bow more for strength conditioning than for accuracy. I also have dumbbells I use each morning and walk about 5 miles per day with my dog. I am trying to stay in the hunt for as long as I can!
JMC
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I'll turn 75 in July. A few years ago I asked Mike Treadway to reduce my Treadway longbow from 56@26 to 46@26. It still shoots as well as it ever did, actually I still shoot the same arrows. I don't shoot as much as I used to but when I was shooting every day I found I had no problem with that weight. If I had continued shooting every day I probably could still shoot the 56#. I have no shoulder, elbow or upper back problems, only lower back problems but that doesn't affect my shooting.
Lots of old geezers still shooting and some still hunting. :thumbsup:
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Pretty amazing thread, and a lot of encouraging posts.
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75.......... [ You are not allowed to view attachments ] Groves spitfire 62# and drifter brackenbury 64#/72
Last october, hunt first deer with the brac and if I go for a 2nd deer, I use the groves
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I'll turn 75 in July. A few years ago I asked Mike Treadway to reduce my Treadway longbow from 56@26 to 46@26. It still shoots as well as it ever did, actually I still shoot the same arrows. I don't shoot as much as I used to but when I was shooting every day I found I had no problem with that weight. If I had continued shooting every day I probably could still shoot the 56#. I have no shoulder, elbow or upper back problems, only lower back problems but that doesn't affect my shooting.
Lots of old geezers still shooting and some still hunting. :thumbsup:
Amazing Pat, I had no idea a bowyer could pull off a 10lb reduction. Good info!
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Black Widow 45 and 55#. Keep using your stretch bands that require equal pull weight. Do this on the couch.
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I'm fast approaching 69 and still working this out.. I have a 40# 3 recurve, 45# Martin Vision longbow, 55# Bears Paw recurve that I believe I'm going to have a set of 45# limbs made for it. I do shoot the 40# recurve more though. :archer2:
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I’m 66 and I still hunt with a 61@28 Wallace Mentor. I’ve found that shooting the bow is the best for me to maintain strength.
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Possum, I was surprised also. I think Mike Treadway was also. :notworthy:
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I'm 77 in a couple weeks and 6 months out of rotator cuff surgery and back to shooting 55#, working to get back to my 61# Whip.
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Wow. Due to my schedule, etc. I may go months. Up to a year before picking up the bow again. Despite always thinking about them. So each time that happens, my 55 lb seems a bit heavy. I also like to aim quite a few seconds too. So it gets shaky to hold long.
And then here you are 77 , at 55 lbs still. Respect.
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Creeping up on 67, still can draw all my bows. The one I have started spending allot of time with is the Moosejaw Razorback. The MOAB will always be on tap. One thing I have going for me is that I've been shooting 65#+ since is was 16 years old.
:campfire: :coffee: :archer2: :campfire:
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I am still able to use a 55# all day long, along the way I loose some accuracy but for hunting it’s just perfect. I don’t want too go too lighter for 3D because then it’s difficult to come back
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Ok. I’m not around any other trad archers. Any archers for that matter so really don’t know the norm. All day long, by which you mean you can steadily take several shots per hour, all day. Would you say ?
Your drawing the full 55? Think I’m pulling 53
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I’ve had problems in both shoulders since the mid 1990’s. Had to switch from left hand to right hand a couple times and drop to under 40# once. Have shot the same 45#@28” bow for 20 years now. At 71 yo, due to a change of diet and exercise, I can now shoot as much as I want without pain. I can draw heavier bows, but can’t see why I need to. I get full penetration on the deer and hogs I hunt, so what’s the advantage of a higher weight bow that I might not shoot as accurately? I’m able to hold at full draw for a while, and I actually get to a little over 28” every time. I see so many archers who brag about shooting heavier weight bows and then leave 6” of arrow hanging out, or hit full draw and creep forward 3 inches every time. Better to shoot a weight that is easily handled and allows you to reach and hold full draw at a solid anchor.
Leaving soon for a hog hunt in Texas, and I am sure that my 45# set up is adequate for anything that I get a chance at.
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I just turned 80 this year. When I was 70, I bought a 47# recurve that was easy for me to pull, and I thought that would be the last hunting bow I would ever need to buy. Well, at 80 I can't hold that 47# bow steady enough to consistently hit anything with it, so my new normal is a 40# bow, that I can hold as steady as I used to be able to hold that 47# bow. Things change guys. If I make it to 90, I’m sure I’ll look back fondly on the days when I could hold a 40# bow steady enough to hit something with it. Enjoy it while you can.
Yep, enjoy what you can while you can.
Currently 79 until this December and in the same boat with regards to bow holding weight, down to 40@28 for ease of hold and that translates to much better consistent accuracy than 45@28. Gotta go with what works best for each of us.
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I’m 78 and shoot twice nearly every day. In the morning I shoot 47 pounds at my draw and in the evening I shoot 53 at my draw. Fifteen arrows each round.
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Just curious, If you are 70 years old or older what
bow weight are you currently shooting?
I am 72 and can shoot 52# or thereabouts. I wouldn’t pick it for a 3D bow but for hunting it’s fine.
I'm 71 and I've been shooting a 46# Hoyt Medallion ILF bow off and on. I shoot more regularly in the warmer weather. My longbow is a 55# Hill but I've not shot it in a long while. I'm thinking about getting a R/D longbow in around 40#.
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I’m 72 and just started building bows , my first I want to make 50# til I grow up I also would like to be a bowyer when I get a little older I’m too immature right now. It doesn’t help that they have to check my l.D. for my age for everything in NY except maybe popsicles!🙄😀😐