Bear Archery Cheyenne LL Bean

[ageofcarrot]

Hi,
I just bought my first bow and I would like your opinion.
I purchased take down Bear Archery Cheyenne LL Bean 80.
I thought this was part of Cheyenne line so I thought I got a steal... But I think this is an old compound.
So, did I buy a garbage?
I thought I can replace the limb to less weight, but I don't think anyone sells them anymore...    

Thanks,
Young

[njloco]

Well,I just did a quick search, and the picture shows a bow with the same name as yours with wheels at the end of the limbs, so yes, I would say you bought yourself a compound bow.

You might be able to WARF it into a recurve or long bow, but you'll have to check into that. If you can, all might not be lost.

Good luck.

[ageofcarrot]

thank you for your advice.
I just purchased Samick Sage #45.
I am wondering if I bought too heavy bow. I am healthy male 5' 7" & 170lbs.
the sales guy at the shop said it would take a week or so for the muscles to develope. But my finger muscles are already sore... wondering if I bought too heavy one. any thoughts?

[Ulysseys]

Can you draw and comfortably hold it for a few seconds?

[ageofcarrot]

I can hold few seconds but it is shaky.
Today was my very first time trying a recurve though.
I have only taken one lesson with light compound bow. That's when I didn't know what is recurve.

[woodchucker]

Most "Healthy Males" can handle a 45# bow...

It may take alittle getting used to though... When my boys started moving up to adult bows, I had them "short draw" the bow. I had them draw back untill thier thumb knuckle(closest to your hand) toughed the corner of thier mouth. This shortens your draw about 2" and should drop the weight about 5#. Once thier muscles get accustomed, I had them draw to thier 1st thumb knuckle(below your thumb nail) This gained them an extra inch and about 2 1/2# in weight... When they got accustomed to that, I had them draw back to thier normal anchor point with thier middle finger at the corner of thier mouth.

I only had an old 40# Grizzly for the boys to move up to at the time, but they were also only drawing 24"-25". Once they got back to a normal anchor point, as they grew, they also gained more weight..... It worked wonderfully!!!

I really see no reason to get a lighter weight bow. Just SLOWLY work with what you have & things will progress in time... You are building muscle control that you have really never used before. Just take your time, Have FUN!!!!!

[ageofcarrot]

Thank you!
I would not have thought about partially drawing and work my way up. I will definitely try that this morning!

[PaulDeadringer29]

JMO, but I wouldn't be short drawing if your first starting out....you might create bad habits that will be hard to break later on. Either purchase some lighter limbs or exercise to build strength so you can bring your current bow to full draw. Good luck.

[woodchucker]

Paul, Why would this create "bad habits"...???

Many of us play around with our anchor point, or split finger/3under... He's simply experimenting with what works best for him, while he's building the nessecary muscles up. Buy the time he orders new limbs for a $150 bow, and gets them shipped to him... He could be back to "full draw" and shooting comfortably!!! It worked for both my boys & many others that I have started shooting over the years.

Just one Old Fart's oppinion.....

[mahantango]

Short drawing does not allow you to get into proper alignment for good bone-on-bone support and will not properly engage the back muscles. This forces you to hold the draw weight with your arm and shoulder muscles, leading to all sorts of problems from a shakey hold and poor release to elbow tendon and shoulder rotator cuff injuries. May kinda work for a kid moving up, but really not a good idea for anyone. Bad habits can be very hard to break. Everyone has one correct draw length and that is where they are in proper alignment: elbow back and around, back muscles engaged, forearm relaxed and in line with the arrow. Find this and then see where your hand falls on your face. This is your anchor point.

[Sam McMichael]

45# is probably not too much, but don't overdo the training at first. It will take a couple of weeks (maybe more)to get used to the draw weight. So only shoot a relatively few shots at a time. Be sure to reach full anchor, and pay attention to back tension. As you improve your physical conditioning , it will become easier to handle this bow. If problems come up with your form, spend considerable time on the FORM forum, as you can get a whole lot of good help there. Have fun with it.

[woodchucker]

Most folks that I have started shooting traditional archery, that had problems reaching "full draw", were back to the corner of thier mouth in about a week. Usualy we spend about 1/2 to 1 hour a day, SLOWLY shooting 1 arrow at a time... It may be 10-20 arrows at first, maybe 30 or so by the end of the week. When they show the 1st signs of getting tired, we STOP!!! When they can reach the corner of thier mouth, they take the bow & a few arrows home with them... I've NEVER had anyone develope "bad habits" or have any injuries, while I've been teaching them...

Case in point... My youngest son Kevin, started shooting at 8 yrs old. I had given up archery totaly years before and had just bought a 55# Kodiak Mag, from Joe Skipp here. After a few days of shooting, Kevin wanted to try it. I got him about 5yrds from the backstop & let him shoot a few arrows. He only managed to draw the heavy bow about half way to his face, but he was seriously trying!!! After a couple days, he had his thumb knuckle to the corner of his mouth. He shot this way a few times over the next couple weeks...

About 2 weeks after I started Kevin shooting, I went over to Joe's shop to buy a backquiver. Joe had a 40# Bear Grizzly on the rack that caught my eye... Joe said,"If you want it,you better buy it, because Wayne's had his eye on it for his girlfriend" Well, the backquiver would have to wait...

That weekend, I took Kevin out in the back yard. He could easily draw the bow back to his thumb knuckle at the corner of his mouth. We shot for about an hour that morning & about an hour later that evening. The next morning after breakfast, we went out to shoot & I had him draw back the extra inch to his 2nd thumb knuckle.(below his thumb nail) He easily gained the extra inch & weight... We shot morning & evening that day and he was starting to show consistancy... Monday after school, we went out back to shoot. I had him draw to his index finger at the corner of his mouth. He did this fairly easily & we slowly shot 1 arrow at a time, untill he started showing signs of getting tired... He didn't want to stop,but I told him "tomorrow's another day!" We shot every day after school that week & by the next weekend, He was consistantly at full draw. He was "officialy" drawing 25" In his teenage years, He was one of the best 3-D shooters in our area, giving grown men a run for thier money!!! I have BOXES of trophys put away that the boys have won over the years.

As I said before, with work, It doesn't take long!!! I really see no need to spend money on extra limbs, for a (perfectly good) $150 bow...

[ageofcarrot]

thank you everyone. and special thanks to woodchuck ker. I shall enjoy this bow without second thought. I was considering to returning it and getting a lighter bow. But I shall continue developing my muscles. this forum is awesome. I don't have anyone close by who can guide me in all these. thanks again.