I was doing a search on something and noticed Pinecone mentioned her "cold weather bow". Just wondering this morning if there are others who change to a lighter draw/weight bow when the really cold weather starts? For me, that is around 0 degrees.
I have two bows that I am regularly shooting and am able to shoot both acceptably. Kota 55#, and Shrew 51#. I could even drop down to a Bear Super Mag 45#, if I needed to.
Thanks, Gary
I have to stick with one bow once the season starts. If I had the ability to switch back and forth I would be tempted to go to a lower poundage bow once it gets cold.
I stick with my Yew and Wenge 70"55# @ 28" Mahantango most of the year, but come the cold weather and I go to my Walnut and Hickory 64" 47# @28" Mahantango.
I'll stick with my go to's even at 40 below...
The only issues that can happen is having so much crap on it's difficult to shoot more then being able to draw the bow. If you're in doubt...take an afternoon and do some stumpin or bunny hunting, you'll learn real quick what's going to work and what isnt.
I have stayed with the same bow so far. But this year I may drop 5# by using a diffrent bow during late season. I do like to switch sometimes from alluminum arrows to wood arrows due to the cold to the touch of alluminum.
I shoot a bow that's comfortable no matter the temp. A Super Shrew that's just about 50# at my draw. So no need to change. Actually, I bet most folks draw their bow a little less when wearing more bulky clothing anyway.
todd :archer:
Put an adhesive heat pad on your shoulders and you won't even think about what weight you are drawing. Put it in between your inner layers during cold weather and it helps to keep your shoulders ready to go! Add a few to your pockets and you will feel like you are in a sauna even in zero degree weather.
Just my opinion,
-Charlie
Thanks Charlie, I'll have to try that.
Gary
Never crossed my mind to consider it. Fortunately down here in the South, it seldom gets cold enough that it would ever be a problem. However, I always draw my bow 20-25 times to loosen up as soon as I get on the stand. This makes a difference, even after sitting on the stand a while.
I heard an interesting story about warming up a bow in cold weather. Back in the 50's, the guy that introduced me to archery would always draw his bow to 1/2 or 2/3 draw several time before shooting it. When I asked him why, he pointed to the big scar above his eye. He said he was hunting in the North country in winter once and loaded an arrow and came to full draw. The bow snapped and he got clobbered. From then on he always "warmed up his bow" before shooting. A little off topic, I guess, but it made think back my very beginnings as an archer.