I am pulling a bow out of the closet after three years of not shooting it.  It is a BBO bow that I received during a bowmaking swap on here in 2007.  Since it has sat for a while, is there anything I need to do to it so I don't damage it.  Break it back in, etc.?  :(

Just check the limbs and tips for twiss and or cracks and check the string for frays and cuts....oh and most important if ya married make sure the lil misses doesn't see ya stash. Especially if ya like me and others with multiple bows yet the misses only knows of two.  

No doubt.  Actually, we were moving stuff from the old house and she saw the bows and said.  " I really liked when you were doing stuff with the bows."  Not gonna disappoint her and leave them in the closet anymore.  I am one of those guys who likes to try many different things.  Archery was one of them.  I had forgotten how beautiful the bow was, and now I am chomping at the bit to fling some arrows again.  

Do not pull it to full draw immediately. Give it a few half draws to make sure the limbs limber up somewhat. Shoot and enjoy!  

Thanks.  Thats what I was thinking, but wanted to make sure.

Work it a few times with the stringer before you string it.  1/3 draw slowly a few time, listening for creaks, snaps and pops.  Then 1/2 draw, again keep listening.  Then examine the bow for splinters, seperations and other bad things.  Then go to full draw a few times slowly.  Now repeat, only this time,  use an arrow and shoot it from 1/3, 1/2 and finally full draw.  Depending on how closely you check the bow, this should take about 15 minutes.  Bill

I think that Mr.Skinner hit the nail on the head.  would suggest that you shoot the heaviest of the arrows that you have at first.

Great.  Will do.  Creaks, snaps and pops?  Hmm.  Is it normal to have very slight ones?  I haven't checked yet, but if I hear one I don't want to start crying unless that is what I am up against.

Took it out and looked it over. It looks like there is a slight separation between two of the lams. They are near the handle and I cant tell if it is the lams coming undone or if it is just the varnish/finish. I got it strung and half pulled and am not seeing any further separation.  I am getting worried  

Do you know what kind of finish is on the bow?

not sure.  I wonder if the bowyer is still around on here to let me know.  I need to check my past posts and messages for his name, then I will seek him out.  Why???  Thoughts?  Sand, epoxy, refinish?

If it's a poly or epoxy finish, no advice.  If it's a penetrating finish like tru oil or wax, I would rub it down with lemon oil a couple times over two or three days to be sure the bow hasn't dried out too much.  That separation could be from shrinkage, a sign the wood is over-dry.

I guess it is probably too shiny to be one of the penetrating finishes.  The finish seems to have "edges" at the separation. Without knowing how deep the separation is, I don't know if I would trust it.  Any other opinions?  I am sad that I only shot about 35 arrows with it before it was put away.

3 years is not a long time for modern glue, it should be OK.  If the wood and the bamboo were both dry when the bow was built, they should be pretty stable, osage is not very bad about soaking moisture out of the atmosphere.  If the bow was stored in a climate controlled house, the wood may have dried some more but should still be OK.  If in doubt, put the bow in a shed where outside air can get to it.  Work it every day for a week.  Make sure to unstring it after each session.  Bill

I will put it in the garage.  It is more wet there than in the house.  I will work it everyday and see if it grows.  I will cross my fingers.

One more thing, lay it flat if you can.  Bill

So do I cry now or later?  I keep looking at the crack/separation and it doesnt seem to be getting bigger as I work the limbs, but I don't feel confident pulling it to full pull and I dont think I want to shoot anything from it.  I feel really bad.    :(    I think it is a dead bow...

Was reading some more on here.  Do you guys think that I could run some CA into the gap to stabilize it?

Put a clamp on it and see if it will close.  If it does, inject it with runny super glue and re-clamp.

Thanks Mike...Will do.  Gonna get to the hobby shop tomorrow and will give it a shot Tuesday.