Heavy Bows...a lifestyle choice?

[Hawkeye]

Well... enjoy it, be thankful for it, and hope you don't end up with a chronic, life-changing illness.  My draw weight capability dropped 24# in ONE DAY about ten years ago.

My 47#er is my usual "heavy" bow these days, but I'm holding onto trad archery, kicking and screaming, until it is pried from my fingers.

My goal used to be a bow over 80#... now it is simply to keep shooting.  I still enjoy the HECK out of it, as I know you do your heavy bows.

Sometimes a lifestyle, sometimes genetics, sometimes athletic training... and sometimes the evidence of destiny (or God's will!)

Shoot straight, and enjoy!      

[Hawkeye]

PS- Thanks for an interesting and civil thread!

[Shawn Leonard]

I got it for years, now 3 shoulder surgeries later I say shoot what ya want but think down the road a bit. Anything that I hunt can be taken with 45-55#s and I shoot around 52#s mostly now. Shawn

[amar911]

Fred Eichler has shown us that any animal in North America can be effectively taken by a skilled archer using a 54 pound traditional bow. Still, for some animals a heavier bow is needed. I can shoot a 75 to 80 pound bow, but it quickly becomes a strain. A 70 pound bow is near the limit of my comfort range where I can hold at full draw and shoot accurately. Other than animals like hippo, rhino and elephant, a 70# bow at my 29.5" draw is adequate for just about anything that walks the earth. I like shooting bows in the 70# range, but where less weight is needed, I will probably shoot my lighter bows for comfort and the ability to practice for hours.

I don't consider myself capable of shooting truly "heavy" bows of 80+ pounds well.

Allan

Allan

[Blaino]

I shoot 65# @ 30".  I know that isn't heavy.  I thought that would be a heavy "enough" jump since my other bow is 55#.  Now I don't like the feel of 55#.  65# just feels better.  I want to try something truly heavy. i.e. 85#..... one day i'll come across one.  

I feel like push-ups and pull-ups are the best bow exercises other then actually drawing a bow.  What do yall think?