Stepping up in class to heavyweight

[eidsvolling]

I currently shoot bows ranging from 48 to 58 pounds, fairly comfortably when I maintain conditioning. I'm thinking about getting a bow in the range from 65–75 pounds.

For those of you who shoot and hunt with heavyweights, I'd like your input on these questions:

1. What is the heaviest bow you shoot and hunt with regularly?
2. What percentage of your total practice time is spent with bows 65 pounds and over?
3. What other weights do you shoot for practice and/or hunting?
4. On a scale from Gilligan to Mongo, where is your physique? (I'm serious about this one; I'm about midway myself.)

  Please limit your comments to the subject at hand.  I'm not seeking information about the relative merits of various weights, or the effects on form from poor practice.

[Daz]

Ok, here goes:
1. 74#@28" (i draw 29")
2. 100%
3. 67-74#@28"
4. My physique is somewhat misleading. People refer to me as "slim", yet i'm 5'10" and 205lbs. I do have broad shoulders and a fairly narrow waist (i'm in my early 40's and can still get into a totally unfashionable suit i bought 20 years ago). And yes, i'm good at lifting heavy stuff    :D

If you are committed to the process and are patient, heavy bows reward the effort! Nothing like a 765grain arrow moving at 190fps...

[Jesse Minish]

1. around 73#
2. 100%
3. 68-73#
4. I'm 6'1" and over weight(working on that) but when I am 220 pounds I'm in pretty darn good shape.

[eidsvolling]

Thanks, guys. It's interesting that these first two responses come from out there among the heavy ungulates, which is exactly the sort of prey I had in mind.

Keep 'em coming, please.

[H1tman7]

1. 70 LB Wes Wallace Royal 68" 31" draw
2. 100% (only bow I shoot)
3. 70
4. I'm 6'3" 215 pounds.  Would be considered in good shape for most.  I lift 3-4x weekly.

[Longbowlogan]

1. 65@28 62" Tall Tines recurve
2. 100%
3. 64lb Tall Tines
4. I'm 5'11" 180lbs and 25 years old

[Dan bree]

1-60lbs. 2-0. 3-60/63. 4- Maryann  but I'm 6./4 245lbs  but I'm 62 and the heavy bows finally got to my shoulders.

[D.Ellis]

I'm the midget in the crowd I guess.
I shoot 60 to 70# at 26.5" for virtually all my shooting.
I am 36 years old, 155# and just under 5 foot 7" I am in pretty decent shape, but am built on a light bone structure. I can shoot heavier than 70# but I don't want to wreck myself and end up shooting 30#ers when I get old.
Darcy  

[Jeremy Gentry]

[email protected]"
100%
I am 5'11" and over weight right now at 230. I use to weigh between 195 and 200 or the last 15 years. I have always shot bows between 60 and 70 # since growing up. When I was a kid I shot light bows. Lol

[MnFn]

I am assuming over 60# is heavy enough.
1.  62#
2.  Currently 100%, trying to get consistent with it.
3.  53#, 55#, I don't feel much that difference between them.
4.  5'8" about 208 usually, a little more now, recuperating from injury. 28" draw. I am 61 years old.

[hvyhitter]

My 6 "keepers" are between #60 to #72....dont own any lighter.
I dont bounce between bows much. Will shoot one a month or so then maybe change so if I'm shooting 65 its always 65.
Im 52, 6ft, 240, fairly good shape. I've found that a few dozen good arrows a few times a week keeps my eye on and in shape enough for a 3d course a week spring and summer. I do overdo it at Baltimore Bowman or Denton Hill though.......
Daily practice of hundreds of arrows with any hunting weight will trash your shoulders faster than just shooting heavy bows............

[M60gunner]

My heavy weight is 64@28.
Presently 100%
I am 68+ years old in fair shape
Do some lifting but have been strong all my life.
Used to shoot 80 lb recurve.
My recurves range from 60lbs to 53lbs.

[Tedd]

My black widow is around 63 @ my 31 1/2" draw length. That combo exceeds the limit of most available wood shafts. I use the AD tapered carbon and have no problems. I don't know what the speed is but that muther shoots hard.
I lift 3 times per week or more and handle the weight easily most days. Sometimes it's a bit stiff for the first few shots. I'm 47. Sometimes I get sore shoulders. I can see as a person gets older that you could really hurt yourself on a cold tree stand trying to pull a bow at any weight, and even be unable to draw a heavy bow on a cold day. Also you add stress to strings, gloves, silencers. Quivers can vibrate and break with heavy bows.

[Roughrider]

My current bow draws about 68#at my 29" draw and is the only bow I practice and hunt with.  I'm 6' 185#, 55 years old.  I don't work out, though do work allot.  If I lay off from shooting for a month or so it takes a few days of shooting to get back in shape.  When in shape, I can easily shoot 50 + arrows in a day, never saw a reason to shoot much more than that.

Since I went to only shooting stick bows about 12 years ago I've had no shoulder problems.  Watching the way some guys draw their compounds it's no wonder people have shoulder problems! Drawing your bow with your drawing hand down at your chest,than rolling your shoulder and raising your hand to anchor is a great way to invite problems.

[timbermoose]

1. 74# hickory selfbow
2. 95%
3. 68# for squirrels and such. 55# targets/3d.
4. 6'3" 320# 30.25" draw. mongo is a lil guy ain't he? i'm called "timber" and "moose" by family and friends for a reason.  

i like the heavier bows for several reasons, but mostly my release is cleaner. and i feel silly shooting anything below 45#

[Pointer]

1. 65# at my draw (30")
2. 40-50%..it's a project I'm working on
3. 56lbs is my most common
4. 6'1" 255lbs..kinda shaped like a refrigerator..rectangular..broad from the shoulders straight down to the floor

[Justin Falon]

Shoot the same bow every day.
85#. No need for more. Would not want less.

I've got a small collection of heavy bows. I only shoot one of them. It's made me a better shot.

Justin

[atatarpm]

80lbs
100%
6' 1"    160lbs
like many of the others here I lift weights almost everyday

[Richie]

1. 70 @ 28 ,65 @ my draw hybrid lb.
2. 100%
3. Same, I only shoot 1 bow currently
4. 5'6" 185 lbs 45 years young

[flyne]

1. 83#@29"
2. 100% I don't shoot my bows under 65# verry much
3. 65-83# always shot heavy for hunting and target
4. 6'2" and I'm  240# and need to drop 20# to get back to my ideal weight