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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Jsavoy on September 04, 2018, 11:53:33 AM

Title: Cold weather - safe to shoot or not to shoot ???
Post by: Jsavoy on September 04, 2018, 11:53:33 AM

Hello gang

Recently got the archery bug.  Shooting daily and I began to wonder how much the temperatures of my bows plays into the safety of use.

Currently store my bows (2 recurves and 2 hybrid longbows) in a unheated garage. It’s been getting colder in North Alberta and today we hit the minuses

My question to you fine folks is - does anyone know or can verify if it is safe to shoot a cold bow ?
 The temps Fluctuate a lot.  But it’s mostly -10c to -30c (13f to -22f) here from the end of September until the end of April

Should I be storing my bows inside for the winter ?
If left outside are they safe to shoot ?


Thanks for reading

Cheers

Josh

Title: Re: Cold weather - safe to shoot or not to shoot ???
Post by: Sam McMichael on September 04, 2018, 01:24:51 PM

Way back in 1959 when I first began archery, I noticed a big scar on the eyebrow of my mentor. When asked, he said that he once had an all wood bow break when he drew it on a cold weather caribou hunt. Thereafter, for that reason, he would always flex a bow, whether hot or cold, a number of times before reaching full draw. I guess that there are no certainties, but generally, I'd think it is all right to shoot a glass backed bow that is in good condition.

Title: Re: Cold weather - safe to shoot or not to shoot ???
Post by: Trenton G. on September 04, 2018, 01:36:30 PM

Last year I hunted New Years Eve and the temperature dipped to -4. I drew my bow a couple times every half hour or so. Didn't seem to have any issues with it. I also shoot a lot during the winter when it's really cold out. Not quite as cold as that, but lots of times in the teens. Never had an issue aside from numb fingers.

Title: Re: Cold weather - safe to shoot or not to shoot ???
Post by: Jsavoy on September 04, 2018, 01:49:24 PM

Thanks for the replies fellas

Definitely gonna take your advice and “flex/ draw” the bow a few times to be safe. Honestly I can’t go all winter without a bow. I’ve seen some people have something like a neoprene sleeve over there limbs. I wonder if that’s for camouflaging or warmth or both ? 

Title: Re: Cold weather - safe to shoot or not to shoot ???
Post by: M60gunner on September 04, 2018, 08:26:47 PM

Those old self bows needed to be rubbed down in real cold weather. Read that years ago in an archery magazine. If you do bring a bow from your cold garage into your home then back into the cold give it a chance to accumulate to the temperature before stringing it up.

Title: Re: Cold weather - safe to shoot or not to shoot ???
Post by: Yooper-traveler on September 05, 2018, 07:27:14 AM

Coldest I ve shot a bow was -40’s on a yote hunt. I hunt in below zero temps all the time, never had any issues (besides freezing).  I certainly can’t speak for everyone, just my experience.