Cold weather - safe to shoot or not to shoot ???

[Jsavoy]

Hello gang

Recently got the archery bug.  Shooting daily and I began to wonder how much the temperatures of my bows plays into the safety of use.

Currently store my bows (2 recurves and 2 hybrid longbows) in a unheated garage. It’s been getting colder in North Alberta and today we hit the minuses

My question to you fine folks is - does anyone know or can verify if it is safe to shoot a cold bow ?
 The temps Fluctuate a lot.  But it’s mostly -10c to -30c (13f to -22f) here from the end of September until the end of April

Should I be storing my bows inside for the winter ?
If left outside are they safe to shoot ?


Thanks for reading

Cheers

Josh

[Sam McMichael]

Way back in 1959 when I first began archery, I noticed a big scar on the eyebrow of my mentor. When asked, he said that he once had an all wood bow break when he drew it on a cold weather caribou hunt. Thereafter, for that reason, he would always flex a bow, whether hot or cold, a number of times before reaching full draw. I guess that there are no certainties, but generally, I'd think it is all right to shoot a glass backed bow that is in good condition.

[Trenton G.]

Last year I hunted New Years Eve and the temperature dipped to -4. I drew my bow a couple times every half hour or so. Didn't seem to have any issues with it. I also shoot a lot during the winter when it's really cold out. Not quite as cold as that, but lots of times in the teens. Never had an issue aside from numb fingers.

[Jsavoy]

Thanks for the replies fellas

Definitely gonna take your advice and “flex/ draw” the bow a few times to be safe. Honestly I can’t go all winter without a bow. I’ve seen some people have something like a neoprene sleeve over there limbs. I wonder if that’s for camouflaging or warmth or both ? 

[M60gunner]

Those old self bows needed to be rubbed down in real cold weather. Read that years ago in an archery magazine. If you do bring a bow from your cold garage into your home then back into the cold give it a chance to accumulate to the temperature before stringing it up.

[Yooper-traveler]

Coldest I ve shot a bow was -40’s on a yote hunt. I hunt in below zero temps all the time, never had any issues (besides freezing).  I certainly can’t speak for everyone, just my experience.