Practice vs. hunting weight

[Bladepeek]

I'm getting pretty long in the tooth and this will be my first year bow hunting. I started with a 33# Indian, worked up to a 44# Browning and am now shooting a 50# bow made by a local bowyer. I gotta say that first draw HURTS - wrists, back  - all over. After the 2nd or 3rd shot I'm fine. My question is, should I be training with the heavier bow and then hunt the 44#? I can just picture sitting there with a nice, close, clear shot and can't get past half draw. Do you guys draw periodically while on stand to stay loose? Or are you all younger guys that aren't all stiffened up with arthritis?
Ron

[JEFF B]

hell i got Bone rot and when i see an animal i just draw and shoot to bad if it hurts alittle.  

[Mike Most]

I usually shoot two or three into the river bank before making the trek to the tree stand. If a slow day I may take a draw, but you also take a chance of getting busted by that which you do not see.

I would go with the 50# if  your comfortable, but I would also practice with the bow you plan on hunting with. Best regards at any rate.

[Ssamac]

Maybe you should do some warm up stretches before you shoot - Neck, shoulders, back etc. then draw back a few times, etc. I think you'll find that helps prevent soreness. Some stretches after too.

When you hunt, however, you can't help it. You're sitting for hours sometimes and esp if it's cold you're going to get stiff. But if you have a nice 8 pointer in your sights, believe me, you won't feel anything. You'll be surprised at how that string will come back. No pain, no venison

Good luck

sam

[ncsaknech1ydh]

Ssamac is right, I always stretch my arms and shoulders out before I shoot when practicing, and then also take several practice draws, hold a few seconds and let down, start with 1/2 draw and then work up. I draw everyonce in awhile when on stand and have never been busted, draw very very slowly, and then let down the same way. Without stretching you always risk pulling a muscle. I also would practice with what you hunt with. DK.

[Bladepeek]

Thanks guys. I have a hunch Ssmack hit it on the head. If you don't get excited when you have a deer in front of you, you shouldn't be out there. I guess I'll stick with the 50# bow and just assume the adrenaline kick will get me back to anchor.

[Margly]

Originally posted by Bladepeek:
Thanks guys. I have a hunch Ssmack hit it on the head. If you don't get excited when you have a deer in front of you, you shouldn't be out there. I guess I'll stick with the 50# bow and just assume the adrenaline kick will get me back to anchor.

Hi!
Raging water wrote something a while ago about pulling some of his bows during the evening as a workout from light bows up to real heavy and down again like sets on a gym or similar. Don'T remember the post but I`ll guess he`ll chime in if he sees this.


I`ve done that now for some time and feel that it helps me out in my form.

In the end it is all about training.
Remember that it could be freezing could sitting on a deer stand and I`ll guess that not even all the adrenalin you will be able to produce, will prevent you from the possibility for a muscle stretch or even worse, a bad shot because of this.
just my 2 cents!

Margly

[Eugene Slagle]

My during the week regimine for weekend hunts as of last year "since I'm shooting Recurve now 100%" consist of me drawing my heavier bow & holding at least 6 seconds & then letting down, but not fast just like I would if I was drawing on that nice Buck but then he moved to where I don't have a shot, I do this 10 times as a warm up to me shooting my hunting bow, then I will shoot my hunting bow how ever many times I think is necessary.

When hunting I'll draw my hunting bow before I leave my truck but during the hunt I only hope that my during the week training will pay off.

[Tom]

I shoot the same weight all year as to be able to when it counts. In the morning of a hunt I will take a few practice shots before the hunt, in the dark, and then on stand will draw slowly from time to time,just to keep limber. Have had the situation where the bow I was shooting was too much weight for me on a real cold morning, for here, and had to pass a shot on a deer. Went down a few #'s and problem solved. i start the season this year with a 58# bow and will finish in Jan. with a 51# bow.
 Good luck and be safe out there.

[Night Wing]

The way I see it. If the 50# bow is a bear for you to draw and shoot on the first draw and the 44# bow isn't on that first draw, bowhunt with the 44# bow. The 44# bow will take out a deer the same as a 50# bow does.

[lpcjon2]

I hurt after the shot as well,Just thinking about dragging it out.  

[Bjorn]

Do lots of warming up, and exercise or shoot your bow daily-this is an old fart speaking too..............and don't overbow yourself.

[Bowwild]

I was shooting every day, several times a day for several months until a week ago. From time to time the 1st shot or two caused my draw hand to hurt (stiff). I also had a bit of soreness in the pectoral muscles around my sternum. No big deal, just an irritant. So, I took 3 days off shooting. The next time I shot the bow felt so much better!  I felt stronger, the soreness was gone. I guess, like a weight lifter, alternating workouts gave muscles time to recuperate and strenghten.  I do two types of isometric exercises when I'm being careful.  

1. Curl the fingers of both hands and interlock them. YOu can pull the draw hand against the other as if you are drawing the bow. This warms up the muscles in readiness for the shot. You can do this in a blind, rocker, tree stand, etc.

2. Make a loop of string that when you measure the inside diameter is the same as your draw length. You can then put the bowhand in one end of the loop and the draw fingers in the other. You can practice your entire shot sequence putting more and more pressure on the string. This is the String Bow.  This also warms up your mind for what a proper shot should feel like.

[BRITTMAN]

I try and streach every night before bed plus some in the morning .During the hunt Ill check to make sure nothings around and draw my bow and hold for several seconds while in the stand . I do this about once every hour or so just to stay loose .