The bow I ordered is way behind and I will have less than a week with it.  Of the two bows I have one is only 45# and the 55# one is starting to come apart.  What is the shortest time you would shoot a bow before you hunted with it?   :(   This whole thing is turning my first Elk hunt into a stress fest.

I think that probably depends on the person.  I think a week of shooting exclusively with one bow every day for a week would be enough.

when you get it, relax and enjoy it.

If it's the same style bow you are used to, I'd say very soon.  I can build a new straight longbow and hunt with it immediately.  It's all in what you are used to.

It would depend on how well you shot it. If your proficient enough with it in a week then use it. If not , use the one your more proficient with. Time will be different with each individual.

Mike

About 5 minutes.  If you've been doing a lot of shooting to get ready for your hunt, it won't take long at all to make the adjustment.  Good luck.

Shoot the new bow....how often do you hit the target compared to your old bow??

I'd shot a Bear Kodiak Mag 50# for years as my only bow.  When I bought the Bear Custom Kodiak TD 70#, I practiced all winter for a spring bear hunt.

Tim:  Call me or email me and I'll get you a trained killer out there...that dang Fazio oughta be whipped...he does this kind of thing all the time.

Maybe this'll make you feel better.  I went on my first elk hunt in Utah 2005. I got there for a work thing the week before and I was to hunt on Friday. Monday afternoon, put my Bighorn together and after about 2 dozen shots, my top limb blew on me. Got out my backup set of limbs and after 10 shots, the tip of the bottom broke at the string groove. I was bow-less 2000 miles from home and 4 days before my dream hunt. Ordered a Bear Grizzly 55# from Cabela's express. On a whim Tuesday stopped by a pawn shop in SLC and found a 50# super kodiak and got it for 30 bucks. Thursday PM, I got my Griz in the mail and discovered the bottom limb crushed by UPS!!! So I went hunting for elk with a $30 pawn shop bow I had for 3 days before the hunt! Never got a shot at an elk, but did kill a bunch of deer with that bow when I got home!

Wow steve. I believed in such things I would say you had some bad Ju-Ju going on.

About 20 minutes, Heck, when you've had as many as I have, it doesn't take long & it's fun finding out new things, you'll be fine, good luck on your hunt... stress free hunt, I should say...

It only takes me a few arrows.By the time the bow is tuned I can hunt.I shoot a lot of different bows and might switch often during the season.Once you get to full draw and anchor they are all the same.  

It's finally here.  Well at home anyway.  My wife called to give me the news. I only have four days to make it work but I'm determined.  Wish me luck.

Walk out and shoot at the max distance you plan to hunt at.  If your groups aren't what you are comfortable with move closer until they are.  Hunt with the new bow using your new max range limit.  We are all different.  I have had bows that I wouldn't have hunted with period.  Others I was comfortable with in a few minutes.  It all depends on you and the bow.

John

I agree with Ozzy Clint. Relax and enjoy it.

If the draw weight is similar to what you are used to, the new bow will be like an old friend in no time.

I hate to think of anyone with a great adventure ahead, and all they feel is stress.

You know what to do and so will your new bow...
CONCENTRATE...draw...anchor...release...follow through.

Really, the only variable is tuning your arrows to your new rig.

Relax and enjoy... and good luck.

Ended up having to shoot much weaker spined arrows than planned.  2016 29 inches long with 145 gr heads.  Down the road I can get some 2020 and jack up the weight up front but the local shops didn't have any and I'm in a crunch.  The bow being cut to center and then having shelf material threw me off on my guess of spine.  We scaled it 58.5 at 28 inches.  Is that weird?