Ice on limbs

[Trenton G.]

Hey guys, it's been pretty cold and snowy lately and I notice ice forming on my bow limbs. I normally have my bow in the cab with me on the ride out. When I get out though, the snowflakes that land on my bow melt, then freeze. When this used to happen with my compound I didn't worry since the limb doesn't bend that much, but with my longbow I worry about how this will affect my bows performance. I try and keep it wiped down the best I can, but I still end up with some ice. How do you guys prevent this, and will it affect my shooting?

[Stumpkiller]

Definitely.  It will slow the bow substantially.  

Draw the bow once or twice.  Ice doesn't stretch and it will slide off.

I dab on wax (BriWax) before the season and leave it "gloopy".  It dries to a dull non-reflective finish - and semi camo on the limbs.  Sheds water and adds almost no weight.

Buff it up after season for a nice shine.

[ksbowman]

Like stumpkiller said, draw it every now and then to help clear the ice. I've hunted several times in a freezing mist that has caused the limbs to ice up, but it never bothered the bow when I killed deer in the same weather. I like to hunt in a heavy mist or freezing drizzle. Just keep wax on your bow and make sure the bow is always sealed with a good finish that is unbroken.

[Trenton G.]

Ok thanks guys. I'll put some wax on it. My finish is ok, but it's an older bow and has cracks running along the sides of the limbs. After season maybe I'll strip it down and respray.