Cold weather bowhunting....how's your shooting accuracy ?

[Nathan Killen]

You've been on stand for a few hours, it's cold....your cold and stiff, and oportunity presents its self !

How's your shooting in these conditions ?

Technically, I've not had a oportunity at game when I've been really cold and stiff, but I've taken a shot at leaves/stumps before getting down and my accuracy is very discouraging  ! I'm a right handed Archer and my shots are usually low and right in these conditions, despite all the hours of practice. It worries me to say the least when the oportunity at ga me arises ! I've got the best clothing money can buy, draw my bow several times while on stand to try and stay limber, but it still haunts me.

What say you guys that hunt colder conditions ?

[Rob W.]

I'm fine as long as I have nothing on my face and no hood. I even add a thin glove under my shooting glove when it gets real cold without sacrificing accuracy. I keep hands warm in a wool hand muff.

The bulk of my layers are on my core with as little as possible on my arms. I tense up individual muscle groups as I sit and and draw every so often.

I also think the mental side of things plays a big part. Even in my compound days if the thought of being less accurate in the cold crossed my mind I would be. Now days it doesn't affect me as much mentally and my shots follow suit.

[Michael Arnette]

Originally posted by Rob W.:
I'm fine as long as I have nothing on my face and no hood. I even add a thin glove under my shooting glove when it gets real cold without sacrificing accuracy. I keep hands warm in a wool hand muff.

The bulk of my layers are on my core with as little as possible on my arms. I tense up individual muscle groups as I sit and and draw every so often.

I also think the mental side of things plays a big part. Even in my compound days if the thought of being less accurate in the cold crossed my mind I would be. Now days it doesn't affect me as much mentally and my shots follow suit.

Sounds advise right there! I've killed some deer while feeling really really cold but I don't know how you northerners do it! The coldest I've hunted and killed in was single and double digits and as long as I haven't had bulky clothing or gloves/mask I've been ok. I use handwarmers and a handy hand muff which I put my hands into until a shot presents.

[Sam McMichael]

I also try to wear layers that are not too bulky, and I try to pay attention to my arms in particular, just as Rob W expressed. Even then, shooting is not easy. Every so often, I need to draw the bow a few times to keep loose. I estimate I lose close to 10 yards effective range on a very cold day, meaning 15 yards is my limit in late season.

[damascusdave]

Just one more reason I do not stand hunt...it gets pretty cold here sometimes

DDave

[The Night Stalker]

I hate being bulky and I also hate being cold. I  took a polar fleece vest and sewed pockets in the inside. I then take those body warmers and place them in the pockets. I use a heater body suit and that heat circulates around my body.

[Birdbow]

All of the above is sound advice. I find that I shoot better in the cold with a lighter draw weight bow.

[Tedd]

Sorry just started a similar thread. My string hand gets cold. Been tryimg a more open string hand. I know they say a deep grip tight hook is best for accuracy. Maybe "hunting accuracy"  is sometjing different.

[The Whittler]

You might not want to hear this but have you tried dropping down in weight when it's cold.

[buckeyebowhunter]

The hand warmer muff is the key for me. On really cold mornings I will also throw a "hot hands" in it for extra warmth. I wear nothing on my string hand and then slowly sneak my hand up to the string when the shot is near.

Everyone else has given good advice. I really believe in those hot hands. I will usually throw one inside my jacket for core warmth and stick a couple on my socks for my feet. They are not real expensive and really help in my opinion.

[Zradix]

Originally posted by The Whittler:
You might not want to hear this but have you tried dropping down in weight when it's cold.

yeppers...what works in August doesn't necessarily work in December....and the what I'm referring to is your body.

I'm a good sized guy...6'2" 230lbs and it isn't 'all' fat...lol
I can shoot a 70# bow alright during the summer...I don't have 1 but my buddy does and I shoot it sometimes.
...anyway..I've just learned I can shoot a 45# bow whether it's 90˚ or 10˚and I'm cold and stiff from sitting on the ground.
and 45# gets the job done just fine on deer.

[Zradix]

...btw... low and right sounds like an under drawn bow.
low cause it didn't get the power stroke.
right cause your bow arm has collapsed in/to the right of where it is when you actually full draw.

You're probably hitting your anchor point...but your bow arm isn't extended straight from your shoulder.

Open your chest and practice getting good back tension.
...then make sure you get that back tension when you're cold.
...kinda like an anchor point for your bow arm.

[Arctic Hunter]

I've hunted in some pretty cold weather. I use the hot hands and all my cold weather gear. Wind proof liners helped a lot. I usually wear a vest over the top of my jacket just to help hold everything in. Then tuck my collar on the left side, and put an arm guard on my bicep and another one on my forearm. To make it easier, you can just cut the sleeve off an under armor shirt and slip it on over your arm. It restricts your movement a little, but its not bad and doesnt keep you from straightening your arm at full draw. Usually, starting about this time of year, I practice this way too.

It's difficult to have warmth without the bulk, especially if you get cold easy like I do.

In the stand, I just try to move around a little and draw my bow from time to time. I keep hot hands in both pockets when it's really cold. In the worst case scenario, climb down and do a few circles around the base of your tree. That usually helps and doesn't disturb the area too much.

Hope this helps you.

[Orion]

I dress in layers and wear a muff with disposable hand warmers inside. When I see a deer I want to shoot, the adrenalin kicks in and I warm up real fast.  I do drop down in bow weight a little when it's really cold.  Never had a problem with accuracy because of the cold.

Last buck I killed was early morning with the temperature at 4 below zero.  Luckily, I shot him before I had a chance to get really cold. Don't think i would have been able to stay out all day that day.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

I agree with previous posters.

Like Rob, for me it is usually mental.  I focus on Form and burn a spot where I want to hit.  If my brain is not in the game, I make all sorts of mistakes hot or cold.  Mental fatigue can happen after long sits in tough weather.

I shoot a bow I can tolerate all year.

[Cootling]

I hunt a lot in cold weather and my shooting is pretty poor.

It's pretty poor in the wind, too.  And in the sun, come to think of it.  And in the shade.  Morning, too, and sometimes evening.  Hence my motto:  "I'd rather be close than good."

   

[Yewbender]

As long as i don't dress like the Ralphie from A Christmas Story im ok       i also go to a lower pound bow.

[BUCKY]

I have the heater body suit which keeps my muscles warm without bulk.