Ryan & Ric

[jonsimoneau]

Hey guys, I've been reading some of your posts on hunting buff in Australia.  Congratulations Ryan on booking your hunt!  I'm booked to go to Africa with Gene Wensel for a plains game hunt in 2 summers, but after that, I'm going to be interested in trying something really big.  The question I have is what is the best way to get conditioned to shooting a heavy bow.  Unfortunately, I am not very big (153lbs) and pulling a bow over 70lbs will require a lot of work.  I have killed quite a few deer with a 62lb. bow, but I've never even attempted anything heavier than that.  Any ideas on the best way to build up to the heavy weights for bigger game?  Thanks guys.

[Ryan Rothhaar]

Hi Jon!

We need to get together and BS sometime.

Rick and I talk a little about this on the phone-neither he nor I had really any trouble due to shooting bows for a LONG time.  I'm only 30 yrs old but due to the atmosphere I grew up in I've been shooting a bow for almost all of that.  I've hunted with low 60's but have drawn to 85lbs (not often!) without a prob.  The best way to get strength to shoot bows is----shoot bows.  The bowfit rubber band is good for exercise too-simulates drawing a bow.  Be REAL careful in training though-you mess up a rotator and your out of the game for a while.  Look in TBM a couple of issues ago.  I think Don T. wrote something about heavy bows.  

Ryan

[Rick McGowan]

Hi Jon, it may not be as hard as you think, a good part of it is mental and if you have enough desire you can make it happen. Paul Brunner is almost a midget(sorry Paul) and he is shooting 85#'s everyday and he ain't a spring chicken either. I'm no spring chicken either, but like Ryan I have been shooting bows almost my entire life. 85#'s wasn't all that bad really, I could draw it the first time I picked up a bow that heavy, shooting it repeatly did take a bit more effort. The best exercise for shooting a bow, is drawing a bow or at least the same motion as Ryan mentioned with the rubber band device. I leave a bow strung in my house all the time and pull it and hold SLOWLY a few times whenever I think of it, first with one hand then the other. I only shoot right handed, but you will develop faster and with less problems if you work out both sides. Also, remember that ANY exercise benefits your entire body, even walking helps benefit the arms and back muscles, so cross training is a very good idea. Also its a benefit when buffalo hunting to be good at sprinting and climbing smooth trees with no branches, very quickly!8^) Rick

[jonsimoneau]

Thanks for the help guys.  I emailed you Ryan.

                                Jon

[Stykbowslim]

Jon,

If I may, I'll throw my two cents in... First, like Rick, I'm no spring chicken... hit the half century mark this year and I've been shooting bows (mostly recurves and longbows) for 42 years, and with bows in the sixty-five to seventy-five pound range.

I'll reiterate what Ric and Ryan have stated and include push-ups --- good for the back muscles.

I also agree with Ryan --- watch the rotator!

Don Slimmer

[jonsimoneau]

Thank you Don.

[leftbow]

Stykbowslim, Where in New Jersey are you from?

[Stykbowslim]

Leftbow,

South Jersey -- outside of Vineland.

Shoot Straight ---->

[Stykbowslim]

Leftbow,

South Jersey -- outside of Vineland.

Shoot Straight ---->