I must ask, cant find any topics about it (bad at searching probably) how do cold weather effect a modern longbow? any risk for damage using it in temps let's say down to -15 below zero? I know that's not seriously cold, but when it's lower down to say -20 and more, it's hard on the fingers.
Where out on a dogwalk in the woods just here at home, and I find my self itching for getting home at getting the bow out and do some stumping...need to wait for some time tho, 60-70cm of snow makes arrow recovey abit hard.
I never heard of a modern laminated bow being effected by the cold, I know you shouldn't keep one in an overly hot place like a parked car for several hours because of the lamination.
As far as I am concerned the cold might just effect the drawing of the bow a bit but I don't think it has any ill effects on the bow itself.
X2 what Swiftspeed10 said
Have not encountered a problem yet. But then I usually call it a stay-at-home day with a bow if it gets to 15°F (-9°C) or so. Especially if it is windy. :campfire:
Just was out tmp was 10 degrees and with the windchill was about 10 below zero, no issues at all with my longbows as far as shooting goes! Cold on the fingers even with gloves!
Dont worry about cold,I dont worry about it with my selfbows.Have always gave any bow a few minutes in the cold then drawn it a little ways back,then a little farther then all the way.
I have been out hunting many times in -10 and colder never had a problem with a bow.
If you on the other hand have been in a stand for more than a few hours; drawing that bow to anchor and getting a good clean shot off can be a bit of a challenge.
Wind chill doesn't matter to a bow . . . but it sure does the fingers!
I shoot outdoors in MI in Jan and Feb.Never had a problem and have been shooting in 25-30 below zero winchill at times.
I did have a bow where the finished checked horizontily on the bow limbs when it was particularly cold for like 5 days.The bowyer refinished the bow
i think heat has a worse effect than cold
Mr. Alfie,
Have not had any problems with our HH longbow at -25 degrees below 0 (F). We let it become cold soaked and then did a few short draws before a full draw. At that point we were ready to hunt.
Don't know if the exercising of the bow limbs is even necessary. Was mainly checking for clothing clearance.
Best Wishes
Alfie, no risk to shoot a modern longbow by minus 20 Celsius, but you will notice your bow gaining a few pounds because of the cold.
The heavy clothing doesn't help either :bigsmyl:
F-Manny
The Ohio Dumb Bunch (ODB) shoots every Sunday. Most of us use longbows and have had no problems. Yes, outside every Sunday !!!!! Expecting single digits this Sunday so this may be a good test. We shoot about 75-100+ arrows at varies targets through out our archery range. Notice I said we shoot but not how well we shoot. MIKE
It was only -9 this morning. I had a frozen bandanna and ice in mustache / eyebrows but the bow seemed fine to me.
I could use some coco.
(http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff187/GingivitisKahn/20110122_dc_04.jpg)