Old Bear making noises

[DaveJ2]

I have an old Bear Kodiak #5m663 that has been hanging in my closet for a lot of years.  I got it out the other day and when I tried to string it (using a stringer of course)it made creaking noises.  I tried a couple more times and still noise.  After a couple days I was able to string it with no noise but when I pulled it back it "creaked" again.  Now, the limbs are straight,no cracks or deep scratches,and the tips look OK.  It has been hanging on a peg for several years.  I've never had a bow make noise while pulling it back.  Is it going to blow up or de-laminate?  Is it safe? Does anyone have any suggestions what I should do or look for to prevent an accident?  Thanks for any help.
DaveJ2

[Hud]

Is it safe, No. You can have it inspected, and they might be able to find a small crack or separation in the limbs, but the bow is telling you it may let go any time.

[Whip]

That is not a good sign.  But I would try a different string before you decide to cut the bow into firewood.  Is it possible the string is old and stretching?  Whatever you do, be careful while testing!  Wear some eye protection at a minimum!

[Blueridge]

Look/feel on the back of the bow where the limbs end at the riser. Mine de-lamed at that point. This was many years ago

[CoilSpring]

Sometimes old, cold, string wax sticks to the belly side of the curves below each limb, and as you draw it, you hear 'clicks' or 'pops' as the wax lets go of the string.  

My Martin Rebel does this all the time, even after adding felt to the string groove on the limb belly.  A tip that Rob Lee at Bob Lee Archery gives to quieten string slap upon release, and that will also stop the clicks & pops upon drawing, is to remove the string and soak the loops and up to about 7 inches of the string in mineral spirits for about 30 minutes, wipe off all the mucky wax with a paper towel (yes a little color comes off, too) and repeat about 2 or 3 times.  Works great, quietens down the string and stops the pops. If it's not the wax, you've got problems.  Thank Rob, not me.

This isn't string wax if it keeps happening. Take a magnifying glass to the bow, checking especially near the riser fadeouts, for small cracks and I bet you find the problem. Sometimes BowDoc can rescue an old bow-- ask him.

[OBXarcher]

Take a piece of cotton and rub all over the bow. It will snag on imperfections in the glass. Could lead you to the problem.

[illianabowhntr67]

My kodiak hunter is doing the same thing.I'm going to inspect it real good and try a different string.Hope it works.

[DaveJ2]

Well, I wiped it down with a cotton ball and no snags.  So I took the string off and wiped it down again with mineral spirits and cleaned the string loops.  I restrung the bow and wiped it down with cotton again and no snags.  I pulled it back a few times and no noises.  I'm going to leave it strung for a couple days checking it for noise as I pull it back.  If no more creaking in a few days I'll try shooting it.  Thanks for all the input

[Hit-or-Miss]

Well, my knees creak bad every time it rains or gets cold it. I'm going to try that cotton ball / Mineral spirits trick and wipe my string loops. I tried Hoppes #9, and although I LOVE the smell, it didn't help that pain or stop the creaking!

[atatarpm]

one of my bows started to delaminate with small little clicking noises. At first I though it was the string settling, but then the limbs started to get foggy and I quit shooting the bow.