Nope! Get some 60# weights & do straight up lifts simulating the bow pull. Do with both hands 2-3 times weekly & at least 2 sets of 10 each and. Exercise heavier than what you intend to shoot.

You should be able to work into it without to much trouble, just take your time and concentrate on good form and a smooth release. A little each day and you will get there. It takes time to build muscle memory and learning to utilize your back muscles to reach and hold at full draw. Like mentioned enjoy what you are doing and if you like this bow, it is well worth working into the extra 5 pounds. Best of luck to you!

Just a thought, but the problem may be more than just the weight difference.   Don't know how old your Deerslayer is, but many older bows were built with more consideration to smoothness of draw than speed.  Today, speed is the thing and I have had new bows that were so front loaded or pre-stressed that I couldn't draw one of the same weight as an older bow that I could.  Starting out at a higher weight means you end up pulling more by the time you get to anchor.  A bow that starts at 20 and ends at 40 is going to be easier to pull over x number of shots than one that starts at 25 and ends at 40.  Your muscles don't care about speed, just how many pounds you pull for how many inches how many times.  As several said, if you want to keep shooting the bow, you'll have to train up to it, or decide to go back to the bow that's sweet for you.   50 pounds is plenty... I'd keep dancin' with the girl that likes me    

I practice with a much heavier bow than I would hunt with or shoot 3 D with.

Why? So the bow I will actually use will seem light and give me plenty of time at anchor, if I feel like I need it.

I say "work with it" Heck get a cheap 60# bow and the 55# will be easy in no time.

Matt

Well,

You mention that you hit anchor every time with your old bow. The key to accuracy is repeating the same shot sequence over and over again. I take it, your not hitting anchor EVERY time with your new bow. That within itself points to being over bowed. How long have you been shooting? The muscle group required to draw/hold a bow are different then the normal muscles we use thru out our normal day. Those muscles have to be trained for the motion to build and retain muscle memory.

Compairing the two bows via just the weight factor could be misleading. One could be a Hill style LB grip and the other a full palm swell recurve grip. I personally prefer a recurve grip, shooting with a straight wrist. If I shoot via the broken wrist style, I'm all over the place. I'm not familiar with the two bows you mentioned.

I recently traded a 54# bow for a 48# bow (6# difference) and it made a big difference. I attend several traditional shoots where I'm shooting a lot, over several days. If I'm on the bubble with the draw weight, I'm going to be wore out going into day 3 of shooting and accuratcy will suffer.

You can have 5#'s or so shaved off the limbs of the newer bow to get it your comfort range. It is always best to shoot a weight that you  are 110% comfortable with. If the draw weight is a issue, you'll redirect your attention other then the shot, where it needs to be.

JL

I appreciate the help guys. After shooting blind bail this evening and reading some posts on the shooters forum I think what I am perceiving as over bowed is target panic. I have dealt with this before(compound) but in different ways. Actually target panic is one of the reasons I switched a few years ago to traditional. One good thing is I have never gave it a second thought when drawing on game. I'm sure with all the great people on this site I will figure it out. Thanks guys!

I would be curious to measure your draw with a 25# bow and see what your draw length is. I'm 4" shorter, and draw a full 28".

y thought is because of your strength you have been cheating your draw, and not fully engaging the back muscles, but relying more on triceps. Some bigger athletic guys can do that up to a point, and then the form catches up with them.

I've always thought my draw was a little short for my height. Just pulled back my sons bow with my eyes closed and only came up with 27. It's hard for me to tell if im using the right muscles. I have been shooting the same way for 4 years now.

Rob W. - One indicator that you are using the correct muscles is if you are able to almost totally relax the forearm of the drawing arm at anchor... with a flat hand... and with just enough finger tension to hold the string. It is nice to be able to relax at anchor and actually feel the string pulling against the fingers up to release.

ow boy... target panic i know just where you commin from brother! God bless you lol.

Fifty pounds will kill 3D targets all day long..

Do you want to work on drawing a specific weight bow or enjoy shooting a bow at a weight you can handle ? The biggest improvement to accurracy is shooting a weight you can handle COMFORTABLY . If your not a young man , don't waste time trying to increase your strength . If you are see above posts. You have already diagnosed the problem , the bow is to heavy for you . GET A LIGHTER BOW - LONGBOW OR RECURVE ....

One way to tell is slowly draw your son's bow back,and have some one stand behind you and either watch, or lightly touch your shoulder blades. There should be noticeable tension as your shoulder blades are squeezing inwards towards each other.

With some archers, they either overuse triceps on the draw arm, or do not fully push to tension on the bow arm. It will be distracting for you, but just concentrate on doing things how you do it.

A basic way to get a feel without drawing a bow is to stand with fists to edge of chest, elbows out (ie-chicken dance position) and have someone push against your elbows forward while you try to push your elbows behind you. This will engage the muscles you need for drawing a bow.

Also remember that creeping your neck forward to anchor will also shorten draw length. Ideally, find a local coach, and spend an hour or two getting some 1-1 instruction.

Just have fun, and enjoy shooting. It really is what it is all about.