The Arguement FOR Heavy Bows

[Goshawkin]

Originally posted by Terry Green:
One man's 40#s is another mans's 50 is another man's 60....and so on and so on.  NOT ALL MEN are created with equal physical strength.  I can shoot 70# all day....but Denny Sturgis can shoot 90...but I don't go bash Denny.  Sometimes threads like these folks post on emotion rather than fact.  One guy on the other thread said he always beat the heavy bow shooters at shoots....well, Ron LaClair won Worlds with a 110# Longbow....wonder if he would have been there if he'd have beaten Ron.

Exactly!    
Some guys are just stronger than others. I'm not a big guy,only 5'8". I have bows in my rack right now from 53-82# and shoot them all. My favorite weight is about 66-70#. I'm 43 and have been a logger since I was 19.After all these years of slinging saws and choker chains around,I'm fairly strong.To the guy that said he could do all those pullups at the gym.I bet you couldn't do that your first time there.If you worked at a heavier bow,I'm sure you could handle one with ease,especially if you are already that strong to begin with.But just like the pullups or weight lifting,it's not going to happen over night. I just shoot what bow makes me happy and really don't care what anyone thinks about it.

[gringol]

Terry, I've read references to your workout regimen, but can't find the thread.  Would you mind posting it?  I'm looking to improve my holding ability.

[Terry Green]

I've had some emails based on some comments I made asking 'how to' move up properly.

1st let me say I'm no physical trainer with no 'certification'....but I do know what worked for me so I'll pass it along......

OK, before you start you need to make sure you are drawing your current bow correctly ....i.e., proper alignment and bone on bone structure.

Make sure you are 'closing the door behind you' with a rotational draw which will help immensely getting your alignment correct AND you will be able to pull more weight easier.

Here's a link explaining....in case some of you never go to the shooters form forum....

       Link to Alignment Thread  
 
Also, get a 'hook' on the string....this will help you pull more weight easier as well than shooting off the pads of your fingers(finger tips).  Imagine trying to start an old rope pulled lawn mower with the handle on the tiips of your fingers rather than having your fingers wrapped around it.

More in a bit.......

[Terry Green]

I always love watching this one....just shows you don't have to be a big guy to shoot heavy  bows.....

 

Originally posted by longbowman:
As several have stated before, you don't have to be a beast to shoot heavy equipment correctly.  The video clip below is my son who weighs in at just under 135# shooting his 93# longbow.  Just clik on the picture.
     

[Terry Green]

Originally posted by frassettor:

TERRY,

That may be all of those honey brats and muscadines
                 

Could be !!!...its about that time again!!!

[Terry Green]

Here ya go gringol..

What worked for me was going up 10#s and 'working out' with it....both right an left handed.

I drew the bow to anchor 3 sets of 8 reps every other day....once I got to do that comfortable....I did the same thing but would hold at full draw for 3 seconds.....then once I could do that comfortably I'd hold to 6 seconds.

Then I would move to 4 sets of 10 the same regiment. Only once I could do that did I start shooting the bow at targets.

Remember, that's both right an left handed.

If you are going to do it correctly, it takes time and effort and sticking to what ever program you chose. Once you get through with your regiment and you start shooting targets, you will be amazed at how effortlessly it will be.

[gringol]

Thanks, Terry.  I think you're right, effortless is the key.  A lot of guys just grab a heavy bow and sling wood, but put a lot of effort into it.  I can do that too, but I can't hit much like that.  In contrast, I can pick up my wifes 35# bow and hit a ping pong ball at 15yds all day long because I don't have to put any effort into drawing and holding.  I'm trying to get to that level with my 61# bow.  Still a work in progress.

[ironmike]

makes sense to me,that's good advice,i find myself progressing well by going slowly...not over doing the regiment.

[Gil Verwey]

On page 12 of this thread I had posted what worked for me.

Good luck
Gil

[ironmike]

thanks, i found it on page twelve,the British deal right?

[Gil Verwey]

No the Formaster exercise on Texas Archery.

Gil

[longbowman]

Mark said what Fred Bear said years ago and the code I live by, "Shoot the heaviest bow you can handle accurately".  When I first started out before compounds the average weight of a bow for hunting was 55#.  I was 12 and weighed 75# myself but worked hard and learned to shoot 55# my first year.  That has been the lightest bow I've ever hunted with and now at 60 I've settled into the mid 70# range as my comfort zone.
     I've hunted with hundreds of people all over the US in my lifetime and all of them ended up using bows in the high 60# to low 80# range.  The wives of nearly all these guys shoot in the mid 50"s or more!
     I couldn't count the number of 2" penetration blood trails I've had to be in on because somebody hit the shoulder blade of a deer or another minor bone with their "new and Better" modern stick bows pulling 40-50# and when we found the broken off arrow with just the broadhead missing we had to eventually give in knowing that blade was in a deer and we owe more than that to the game we hunt.
     By the way, that's my son in Terry's posted video.

[ironmike]

that's the one i meant,good one!

[Skates]

Good Stuff.

[Paul_R]

The heavier the bow the cleaner my release is, within reason of course.

[DaveT1963]

OK Looks like I might have to bust out my old JD Berry Serpentine..... I always shot that bow and my brackenbury longbow best.... but they took a toll on my bow elbow.... I am up to 55 pounds now so I guess alittle more won't hurt and I do have all spring and summer to work on it  

[acolobowhunter]

I agree - the heavier the bow the cleaner the release.  I have shot a 70# bow for nearly 40 years.  When I try a light weight bow, I can't let go of the string.  It seems to hang up in my fingers.  I suppose a person would get used to it with practice.  Just knowing that I have enough poundage to get the job done makes me feel better.  With age, someday, I will have to drop back in poundage, but hate to think of that day.  I use dumbbells to work my shoulders with several different excerises.  Terry also has good advice about keeping your shoulders and body strong for the sport.

[lbshooter]

My archery shooting for 45 years has been predominantly hunting and stump shooting.  I started shooting as a teenager with a 45# Bear Grizzly and peaking in 30's shooting a 65# Hill longbow until my mid 50's,  backing off to 55# which I currently shoot at 62. My arrows have always been 10-11grs/draw weight taking advantage of a flatter trajectory. Penetration has not been an issue for me at any poundage for whitetails.  Each time i increased weight, I had to build up my shooting muscles with my medium frame and build.  I have always shot my heavier bows better than my light bows. The heavy poundage and resultant tension aided in keeping my Shulz shooting style consistent. I also found that i increased my effective hunting range with the heavier weights.   My current 55# draw at my current age now feels like my 65# did, but I traded off my maximum hunting range.

[Homey88]

Very interesting thread. Just wondering what the thoughts are on how heavy an arrow and what speeds are everyone generally talking about with the higher poundage bows? Is it considered that a 550 grain arrow shot at 180-190 ft per second is good for whitetails? Just wondering what arrow weight and speed from heavier poundage bows is considered good. I just started in trad archery and this thread has been helpful for me in trying to build an arrow to hunt whitetails with in the fall. Thanks in advance

[Terry Green]

Originally posted by Homey88:
Is it considered that a 550 grain arrow shot at 180-190 ft per second is good for whitetails?

All day long....and most hog you might encounter...or elk or bear....with a quality SHARP head.