"Old Guy" Question...??

[woodchucker]

Just wondering....??

At what age did you older fellows, decide/realize that you needed to drop some bow weight??

I haven't bowhunted the last couple years, as I've been chasing squirrels with our Plott hound and a .22
This year now that I'm retired, my nephew wants me to go bowhunting with him. I strung up my 50# Kodiak T/D and started shooting last march. Long story short, I strained my left shoulder! I've been shooting 50# since I was 16, and have never had an issue. I ordered a set of Bear 50th anniversary in 40# and figured I'd  baby my shoulder while I waited for them to come in. Hope for the best, so to speak?!

Well, they arrived a few weeks ago!! I strung up the bow with the new limbs and went out back to shoot.
I was shaking as I was getting ready to draw.... Start close, go slow, don't overdo it... I drew back slowly, waiting for the pain...... My fingers found their spot and I settled in. I focused on the spot, and let the string slip from my fingers....

That first arrow nailed "Bucky" the button buck!! Alright, it was a little far back, but hey I didn't miss!!
I walked up to pull my arrow and process things. A little soreness drawing back? But no pain! Try another one?
I ended up shooting 5 arrows that day. I've been shooting 5-6 arrows a day and happy to say, I'm "in there" at 10 yards, good at 15, and "pretty good" at 20. Still have a little soreness when drawing, but not real pain or lingering soreness after shooting!

Hopefully, I dodged a bullet!!!!   

[Orion]

I started dropping down in weight around age 60.  Up until that time shot about 55-65#.  At 74, I'm now shooting 45-50# for hunting and 5# lighter for targets.

[durp]

At 65 years 55lb works but I used the HOPE bow in September and really like her at 50lb's...better built bow than mine with carbon limbs made her shoot like my mid 50's bows ...SO...I'm thinking there may be a drop in weight in my future without a performance loss...long ways from the 83lbs of my youth !!!

[McDave]

I started dropping down in weight around age 60.  Up until that time shot about 55-65#.  At 74, I'm now shooting 45-50# for hunting and 5# lighter for targets.

I'm practically identical in all respects, except I’m 76 (but who's counting?).

I've had a few minor shoulder flare-ups over the years, but nothing that required surgery, and my one and only case of tennis elbow about 10 years ago.

[Yellah nocks]

Two rebuilt shoulders at 21 and 26 yrs. Doctors said, "your archery days are over." I thought they were right...until I got a little resentful of them telling me..."no!" So...backvthen I STARTED at 60 and 70 lbs with compound and even shot at 80 a time or two. Tried 90 but it was a little much. Settled on 70 for years. Then...about 5 years ago....something popped....so I sold everything off. I actually used archery as therapy to keep my surgeries stable and build muscle. The VA rated me at 40%  even before that....but they applauded my efforts.
When things started going South here earlier this year I decided to roll the dice one last time. I might hafta hunt for food...so I bought a Bear Wolverine takedown. At 40 lbs. It feels easy drawing and holding. Some days I shoot a dozen shots, others 50 or so. I hit out to 30 yds if I am anchoring and releasing properly. I am 63....but have been told that due to police work and Corrections(30 some years of daily bar fights kinda), my odometer is past the "best by" date. This all helps me to limit the eventual loss of ability I know I will face. Eventually the 40% will be 50 or more....but you know....I didn't just sit around and wait for it. I am making the best of it and living my life. I FIRMLY believe(and KNOW) that...I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. And you guys on this site are fun to talk to!

[Sam McMichael]

At about age 50, I decided a 78# bow was too much. I went down to a 65# bow for several years and then to 55#. I eventually began to shoot a 53# bow and continue to draw that weight. Actually, that is not accurate since I pull less than 28 inches. So I am actually shooting in the upper 40's. However, if I need bows rated in the 40 range, I have that covered as well. I had one shoulder repaired and now need surgery on the other.

[M60gunner]

Let’s say I working on it. I was able to shoot 60#-65# bows up to about 2 years ago. Now my 55# recurve bows aren’t as much fun as they used to be. I have a set of 45# ILF limbs and a set of 45# limbs for my Bear TD that feel real good. It’s my neck that gets sore more so than my shoulders when I shoot my 55# recurve limbs.
  What’s worse right this minute is a sore lower back, can’t do much of anything until it stops hurting. So I will miss a 80 target 3D this weekend. I am not into those “little pills” so I just have to wait it out.
  Forgot to mention, just turned 75 in August.

[ron w]

I dropped weight early as a cure to fight target panic, maybe late 40’s or early 50’s in age. It helped a lot !!  Now 40-45 @ 29” and I’m still shooting everyday!! I’m now 68 years old

[Phillip Fields]

2 years ago, at age 71, I dropped to 44#.

[degabe]

I think I just got my draw weight dropped last month. Doc says I have a popeye arm. My 60 lb is too much to pull right now so I dug out my 45 lb hickory and I can shoot that but I need more practice. Maybe I will be able to hunt later in season.

[MCNSC]

61 here, dropped from 50 to 45 last year. Shoulder pain, held off shooting for a few months this spring, so far ( those particular ) pains haven’t returned.

[Wudstix]

Worked up to shooting 65# DH Hunter at 23 and have been healthy so far.  Still shooting 64-71# hope to continue for a bit.
 

[woodchucker]

Thanks for all the responses Brothers!!!
Like I said, Hopefully I dodged a bullet!

It seems the average weight drop is about 10# and seems to do the trick

[MnFn]

I’ll be 68 on this coming Saturday.  I shot  60# until about 10 years ago, and then 55#, just sold my last 55# a couple weeks ago. I think I could probably still shoot 55, but 50 is more fun.

I bought a really nice 43# elkheart, for the future, but so far it seems too light, as of now anyway.

[T Sunstone]

About 4 years ago I dropped down to 51# from 58# because of my bow shoulder.  Finally had an MRI 2 months ago and found out my shoulder is bone on bone.  Borrowed a friends 45# Centaur and it feels great.  Centered pouched a doe 10 days ago with complete penetration. I'm 72.     

[Mike Bolin]

Will be 65 in a couple of weeks and am shooting a 45# longbow and a 46# recurve. Impinged rotator cuff on both shoulders and the bow arm shoulder is getting pretty close to bone on bone. One doc said quit shooting and another said drop to 40#, so I dropped from the low 50# range and compromised at 45#. I don't shoot as often as I did in my 50s, but I work on form and concentration and make the most of my practice sessions.

[Long Barrel Colt]

Dang! here I am just starting out and about to turn 64 and right now I'm shooting a 40 LB Bear Kodiak. I was hoping to eventually go up in draw weight. I'm going to move up in draw weight if I have train with Iron

[hawkeye n pa]

Arthritis at base of neck  and shoulders is chasing me down in bow weight.  I'm at 55#'s now at age 63, shot 65# and 70#s for years.  Have lower weight limbs on hand already:(

[Friend]

For most of us, we must adjust to stay in the game we love.

[BAK]

Had to have shoulder surgery do to an injury from back in the Air Force.  I was 54 then.  Had to drop about 10 pounds off the top end.  That was 16 years ago.  Still pulling 47 to 48 pounds.  Going on 71 now.