how many over 55 still shooting heavy bows?

[eidsvolling]

Sixty-two and shooting a 60-pound longbow better this month than I have ever done, thanks to a mild winter (which I otherwise loathed) that allowed me to shoot on a nearly daily basis. That bow is going moose hunting in 90 days, backed up with a 58-pounder. (To be honest, I wouldn't really consider them heavy, as I tend to think that starts at 65 pounds.)

My grandfather was living alone and cutting wood for fuel when he was 75. My father's uncle in Norway could run most people into the ground at age 70. He'd spent a lifetime outdoors, and it showed. My father-in-law (ex-railroad carman) was on the roof at 80 (to the great consternation of his family). They're all goading me from the great beyond now.

[TexasKing]

55 years old, and all my shooting is in the #60 -70 range

#63 seems to be the sweet spot on being able to shoot extended periods, and still performance I like

[Gil Verwey]

Here is a Tradgang link for a post on heavy bows.

 http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=119566;p=12

On this page there is a link for an exercise from Texas Archery that is great for increasing bow strength. I haven't gotten in much shooting in the last two years, so I am in low and slow mode, moving back up in weight.  

Gil

[dbd870]

Not me, 45-50# ever since I got back in to recurves when I was 55-56. Deer and turkey is all I hunt so that is plenty for me.

[michaelschwister]

I will be 55 in a couple weeks.  My current #1 is 64# and that is not too tough.  I am fighting a shoulder issue and elbow issues, but that is from 6 years on jump status as an army paratrooper now almost a quarter of a century ago.  It needs maintenence, but if you start dropping draw weight to get out of working it/away from the pain, it becomes a slippery slope.  The key is to get and keep the shoulder in shape through work.  When I have had issues it was because of lack of work, not overwork.  After two major tears was able to get it back to be able to draw and hold 113# longbows and 92# hybrids (the longer/straighter profile the bow, the easier on the shoulders/joints).

[adkmountainken]

really enjoying all the responses I just seem to be able to shoot #60 bows better then #50, form is better and I enjoy them. my job helps to stay in shape (UPS) as I lift heavy packages all day long.

[Sam McMichael]

I am 66. I used to shoot a 78# bow, but following an injury, I never tried to handle it any more. For years I shot a 65# longbow, but that same injury made it difficult to shoot, even though it is my favorite. For several years I shot bows from 50-55#. After surgery last February, I am now able to shoot my 65# bow again. I'm not 100% yet, but I can shoot about 30 arrows before fatigue makes me unstable. I was hoping to be able to hunt with it this season; however, I may not be ready by September. I agree that my form is better with the heavy bow, or more particularly, my release is smoother.

[DTD]

I will be 56 this week. Most of the bows I hunt  with now are 52-55#. I do have other bows that I still shoot some that are 62, 63, 68 and 75#. After shooting the 75#, all the others seem so easy to draw.  

[Terry Lightle]

Turned 60 on July 15,shooting 56#,but shoot Trent my middle son:s 60#Dale Dye occasionally
Terry

[DGW]

57 this year, shoot 55 to 60 .  Most go to bows are  closer to 60 at my draw.

[Danny Rowan]

65 and shoot 55-63#, can still pull and hold 80#

[ChuckC]

Yup

ChuckC

[Orion]

I'm 70.  Shot 60-65# most of my life, 70# for a moose hunt, but have dropped to 45-50# for most of my shooting now.  Do still have a couple of bows in the 55# range I use for elk.

[Shadowhnter]

I think this is awesome!  I cant contribute, as im not old enough, nor shoot a heavy enough bow. My form just aint good enough yet to get a handle on the heavies. Eventually, I'd like to have at least one heavy bow though. Thanks for the inspiration, and good read!

[yeager]

I'm 63 and my main bow, a Bob Lee Classic T/D, is 55#. Have a RER Vortex longbow which is also 55#. Lately though, have been shooting my '67  Super Kodiak which is 52#. Just those extra 3# seems to make a difference as the age creeps up....or, it might just be that smooth pulling of the '67 S.K.

[mnbwhtr]

I'm 68 and shooting a 60# long bow and my recurves are from 65# early season to 50# for late season when it gets below 20 degrees.

[Don Stokes]

I'm 67. I shot 64# for years, then life circumstances forced me to just dabble in archery for almost a decade, although I hunted every year, usually successfully. Over the last 5 years I've gotten steadily stronger, shooting 40,40,52,60,and 63 this year. Four heart shots and a spine shot in the last 5 seasons. One other with a muscle wound he survived, and one lost to coyotes before I found her.

I'm at my limit at 63#, but I'm handling it. Strongest bow in my collection.

[centaur]

At 69, I have backed off of 60 plus pounders in favor of 55 pound bows; did that several years ago. I feel like I probably could shoot a heavier bow, but don't see the point. I'm doing just fine with 55.

[ISP 5353]

I am 55 and have been shoot #54 for many years!

[John Kelly]

Born in 1943, shooting a couple of 60# and a 53#.

The 60s were too much ten years ago, but they're perfect now..have slowly built up my core strength without a lot of effort. Will trade the 53#, a very fast RD longbow...want something 35#ish for my girlfriend.