shooting lighter bows in offseason

[Jim Keller]

I'm doing physical therapy on my neck and shoulders right now. It's going well and I'm shooting pain free again. I'm thinking about getting a lower poundage bow for shooting in the off season but I'm concerned that when I would switch back towards hunting season that going back to the heavier bow wouldtrigger target panic(something I struggle with constantly). Any help on this would be appreciated.

[wollelybugger]

I shoot a 50 pound bow and it is plenty to kill anything I hunt in Pa. If I were hunting Moose or Elk I would need a heavier bow. I have a couple of 45 pound bows that shoot well. You might get rid of your target panic with a lighter bow and not want to switch back.

[ron w]

I shoot bows 50-54# but shoot lighter ones[40-46#] to work on form. I to struggle with target panic and the bad thing is it rears it's ugly head when I move up to my hunting weight bows. I may start to hunt with a 46#er this year.

[Jim Keller]

Yea Ron that's my concern. My bow is 51# which isn't heavy I know, I'm just thinking of my shoulder and thought maybe dropping in weight in the off season. But I don't want to if it causes my panic to kick in right before the season.

[Winterhawk1960]

Originally posted by ron w:
I shoot bows 50-54# but shoot lighter ones[40-46#] to work on form.

Same as above, I really utilize my 42# @ 29" for form work. Getting a "clean release" with a light-weight bow is much harder than with one that is gonna rip the string from your fingers. For me, I can "feel" the shot better also with light-weight bows.

Winterhawk1960

[Jim Keller]

Thanks Don, I'd really like to get a lighter bow. I'll have to think on it. I'm going to Denton. I'll look around there.

[BobCo 1965]

I find myself shooting much more on the offseason then in season. I probably go from about 400 arrow per week to about 150 per week. I shoot at 46#'s during the summer and move to 58 pounds for the season. I have no problem at all moving to the heavier weight bow. I look at it the same as lifting weights, higher reps with lighter weights, lower reps with heavy weight.

[Jim Keller]

If it weren't the target panic thing,it wouldn't be much of a decision. I just don't want to get a good dose of it right before the season.

[brinkwolf]

Jim, what if you go to your heavier bow a few months before season than if TP rears it's ugly head you can go back to the lighter bow. I agree a lighter bow is great for working on form. You are less likely to be concentrating on trying to pull the bow and working more on form instead.

[brinkwolf]

One of the reason I kept my lighter bows besides helping with form occationaly, even thou I can shoot heavier ones is because about four years ago I had a bad car wreck(been going to a chiropractor every since). Now when my back and neck act up I can go to one of the lighter pulling bows and keep shooting with alot less discomfort.

[Jim Keller]

I know Brinkwolf, I'm just finishing therapy on my neck and bow shoulder. I'm shooting pain free again and very happy. I have and old bear bow at 42 lbs. I shoot it some when shoulder bothers me but I don't like it that well. I think I'll save my pennies for a new bow and deal with any tp problems as they come. Thanks for the advice guys.

[c'ville]

I'm the same as the guys before, I use a 40# bow for form practice especially the release.  However, I also keep drawing and shooting my hunting bow over the summer to keep my arms and shoulders used to the weight.

[cbCrow]

I have to shoot lighter draw because of an injury,but when I was shootin 50-60lbs. bows I shot the one I was hunting with. I feel if you live with something you know what it can do or not do.  

[kmunch]

I shoot around 50 lbs for everything I have a 31 in draw so i buy a lighter marked bow but my marked 44 lb recurve has killed many pigs and a couple deer I think it all comes down to sticking whatever in the right spot! I think people feel the need to "man up" When they go to hunting camp and are there for over bowed