Misses caused by changing bows ?

[Dave Bulla]

Just wondering, how many of you jump back and forth between different bow lengths or types?

Then, who has missed an animal because you switched bows and were either less familiar with it, got screwed up by different length and clearance issues or just didn't have it tuned the same as your normal "go to" bow?

I'm thinking that it's not uncommon for guys to do most of their shooting with say a 62" recurve or 64 inch longbow for years and then get the bug to buy a short bow for either use in a blind or treestand.  I wonder how many guys blow a shot by trying to make the switch before they are ready with the new bow?

Probably the worse scenario would be someone who shoots a short bow and decides to try a long bow because they are supposed to be smoother and more forgiving.  Then ya run into clearance issues.

I've got a pretty long draw at close to 32" and don't have the option of going with the shorty type bows but so MANY guys are trying to go short.  I always hear about short bows being touchy to shoot well or consistently in many cases. (Though certainly not all) I wonder how many guys would be better off just sticking with one normal length bow and shooting it until it's totally natural at any cant and you get a "feel" for the tip clearance.  My 66" longbow does not seem to be any kind of handicap from my standard Double Bull Matrix yet everybody always talks like you have to have a short bow for a blind.  Same with treestand shooting.  Practice draws and forethought seem to take care of 99% of any problems.

[Joseph]

Just get one bow that works for you then stick with it.  It might not be as much fun but you will be a better shot.  Joseph

[Ben Maher]

i'm a one bow type of fella for the very reasons u mention. Same bow and same arrows for me equal extra chances of success afield.

[wapitimike1]

I'm just finishing up the bug, (I Hope). I'm shooting all 58" bows. I have a fairly short draw at 27"s. But I do have a bad habit of likeing to try different bows. I do how ever notice when I stick to my one bow, I shoot best!

[heydeerman]

Dave,

At one time I had almost 30 bows. I totally enjoyed shooting every one of them and I have done my fair share on the classifieds and the bay.I am down to 2 bows now. Both are 60" recurves at the same draw weight. Both are Robertsons and ones a Peregrine, the other a Vision. My peregrine is the go to and basically all I shoot. This year I really suffered from too many bows syndrome. I missed 4 or 5 deer...quit counting after 1. I havent missed that many deer in 10 years. Too much playing around and tuning buying and switching bows while in season. No more for me.

[longbowben]

Get 2 of the same bows in diffrent woods.Works great.  

[Pat B]

I shoot lots of bows(self and simple backed) each year because I build plenty each year. A month before the season I pick the one bow that I intend to hunt with that year. I also usually have a back-up bow just in case and it usually shoots very similar to the primary bow. I do practice with the back-up bow so if I do need it it is not alien to me.

[CheapShot]

We have different classes to shoot in each month at our club. I try to shoot in each one whenever possible, it's alot of fun to shoot different bows. About a month before deer season, I choose the bow I intend to hunt with. I also use a set of practice arrows that shoot the same as my broadhead tipped hunting arrows, and that is all I shoot until after hunting season.

[NDTerminator]

I like to grab & go with the bow I feel is best suited to the particular situation. All my recurves are 58"-62"/#50-#55 at my draw length, set up the same way (T-300 rests), and shoot the same arrows, so I don't have any problem switching between them. I use a GFA quiver to compliment this philosophy.

The only problem I had with this was when I was shooting a 52" K-Mag for ground blind hunting.   That bow just handled and shot so much differently than my longer stuff that it was a tough transition.  I sold it and just began using 58" recurves in the blind...

[Steel]

I normally have 3-5 bows that I can pick up anyday and hit the kill zone on a deer at 25+ yards. Most all my bows I end up keeping shoot real close to the same POI one reason I keep a bow. Sometimes when buying new bows you get one that just does not hit the same spot when you shoot as your other bows for whatever reason. I always end up getting rid of a bow like I think it does more harm than good to your shooting form/skill in the long run.

[Grant Young]

I agree with Joseph but I'm afraid I mess around too much with different bows at times. All my bows are recurves and all are 60" and they have almost identical grips but the weights vary and that can throw me off a little. I have a hog hunt coming up in Texas with the Wensel brothers and I'd been shooting an old Super K that I really liked but at 73# it is about six pounds or so heavier than my TD and was slightly faster by nature pound for pound. I mailed it out to Texas and Knife River called yesterday to tell me it was broken in shipping. I'm pretty sure readjusting is not going to be automatic. I'll let you know how many I miss, Dave.    Grant