Bow glare question............

[Stringpuller#1]

I cammo wrapped my recurve about a month ago when I first got it and seeing everyone else's pretty wood sticks on here is making me think about unwrapping it  
It's a beautiful stick and honestly the only reason I wrapped it is I was worried about glare off the bow spooking game. They shellack up the limbs and riser for the pretty finish. How has bow glare affected/not affected you all in the hunt. Should I unwrap my bow ?

[Rossco7002]

I've never noticed it to affect game behaviour. Think about how many deer have been killed by guys with high gloss rifle stocks.

Maybe someday it'd do something to alert them (a big maybe IMHO) but I just love looking at the bows too much to cover them up. Lol

[McDave]

You might try rubbing furniture paste wax on it right before you hunt, and let it dry without buffing it out.  That might dull down the finish enough to cut the glare, and you can buff it out after the hunt.

All of my bows have either a satin or flat finish on them, and I've never had a problem with my bow spooking game. I usually take care of that myself by blinking an eye at the wrong time!

[traditional beagle]

I kinda figure deer see a lot of shine in the woods. Sun through opening in the tree canopy, wet leaves, slick tree bark, sun glistening off frosty objects. I don't worry about glare. Just me.

[soy]

That is a question i had after seeing my bear flash like a signaling mirror walking through the woods in the moon light...had a stand off with a buck that could not figure out what i was...dont know if it was the shine or bordem that made him run

[old_goat2]

I put camo face paint on side of my bow that faces the animal and it seemed to work fine and came off easy at end of season.

[Orion]

Unless you're hunting with it, why not take off the wrap if you want to enjoy its beauty. Just put it back on when it comes time to hunt.
Glare can and does spook animals. Maybe you can get away with it sometimes, but why take the chance.  All my bows have a satin finish.

[Stumpkiller]

I hunted shiney this year and took a much larger deer than when I used camo tape on the back the prior two.  And the 62" Browning Explorer has a LOT of shiney.  Though it certainly depends on whether you have much direct sunlight where you hunt.  

If I was after antelope at mid-day a gloss finish might not be so good an idea.  Here in NY in the fall trees there's lots of shade.

One trick I like is to take black BriWax (a carnuba & beeswax blend) and dab it on the back without buffing it in and allow it to dry.  Makes a dull, water repellant finish.  After the season a few minutes with a cotton rag and its back to shiney and all the scratches are blended in.

   

   

[Gdpolk]

Originally posted by Orion:
Unless you're hunting with it, why not take off the wrap if you want to enjoy its beauty. Just put it back on when it comes time to hunt.
Glare can and does spook animals. Maybe you can get away with it sometimes, but why take the chance.  All my bows have a satin finish.

x2

I like a pretty bow with a satin finish so I can see the materials but don't have high reflections.

[Stringpuller#1]

I definitely like the beauty in the wood but am worried about too much gloss in the woods where there shouldn't be  

[Bjorn]

I spray mine with some artist's matte finish-I think it is removable but haven't tried it.    

[rwbowman]

Last spring I had a turkey experience that changed the way I felt about glare. I was sitting behind a line of saplings and had a Tom and two hens walk out. One of the hens caught a shimmer of the bow as I readied for a shot and they were out of there. Went to another spot, made a small mudhole with a couple ounces of water and 'painted' the back of the bow. Had two hens leading a Jake come into a wide open lane, took a shot, missed the Jake and he just kinda stood there looking around, never picking me or my bow out.... Until I drew back for a second shot. For turkeys, I will forever use the limb socks from 3Rivers, pictured here on my IA Mohawk.

   

[Flatshooter]

I agree with McDave on the furniture polish except I'd wax your limbs well before taking the bow into the woods. The polish has a rather strong smell. Wax on but don't wax off!

[Rick Richard]

I have used the camo tape, but what a mess to remove especially if it has been on there all season.

This year I plan on trying the Limb Skins or whatever it is called from OneStinger.

[Stringpuller#1]

That pic from rwbowman ephasizes my point, look how shiny the grip on the riser is. Anything that shiny moving around can't be good in the woods......

[Tom Leemans]

I just don't worry about it. They'll bust you on scent first.

[58WINTERS]

military surplus camo stick, rub it on, touch it up when needed.  comes off with mineral spirits after season. tuff stuff works well and cheap.
58

[hvyhitter]

Limbsocks here also, both recurve and longbow. On for the season off for the summer and they go from bow to bow in about 5 mins..........

[Thumper Dunker]

Flat or mat finnish on my bows.They might not smell you at 400 yards out but they sure can see that flash.

[Hoyt]

I like a dull, satin finish or bow sock.

There's a good reason the glint of a shiny object is used to be rescued..it can be seen from a very long way off and catches the eye.