For the heavy draw weight hunters...

[jebeckjr]

For those of you shooting "heavy" draw weights (whatever heavy is in your mind - for me, it's in the 80# range), do you shoot that weight for all or most of your hunting, or do you switch to something lighter (for example, 80# for elk, but xx# for whitetail)?

No need to state your draw weight, I'm just interested in how many people commit to the heavy weight full time, vs switching off.

[Stickbow]

I drop bow weight after sept. and step back up around april.

[jebeckjr]

Thanks Stickbow.  Is that meant to coincide with the end of your bow season?  When you drop, about what % of a reduction do you take?

[Stickbow]

I drop weight after Elk season going into deer season. I drop about 10 pounds in bow weight, it is getting colder and I tree stand hunt, just easier to manage when cold.

[Benny Nganabbarru]

I prefer to shoot heavy all the time. Don't know what I'll bump into. Rather be ready for the biggest.

[ChuckC]

I like a lighter bow when it is cold and I am in a tree long term.
ChuckC

[Rod in SC]

I think it helps to have 2 bows that are the same or that shoot similarly and practice with the heavy one and hunt with the lighter one.  Example practice with 75 and hunt with 65.

[duncan idaho]

I always shoot heavy, not much sense in training to shoot a heavy bow and then just stop and shoot a lighter one.

[capt eddie]

I would shoot heavy all of the time.  That is the only way to stay in shape.

[jebeckjr]

Thanks for the input, Gang.  For you guys that shoot heat all the time, do you do any small game hunting, and if not, would that change your opinion?  Is there ever a case of "too heavy" for xxx game?

[timbermoose]

I shoot a large range of weights. 80# for grizz, 73# elk/moose, 54, 55, 61# mulies/black bear,  45 & 48 rabbits/sqwerrel/birds. Target shooting is by luck of the draw by my kids. Have a 120# hickory war bow specifically for showing off as well.

As of the past few months, my wife been working while I await a new work permit, so I practice daily with any givin bow.

[J.T.]

heavy all the time small game, big game, summer shoots, winter league, ect.  Because I shoot the heavy weight all the time its not heavy and I can shoot an entire target round without getting fatigued or draw it without trouble after a long cold sit.  No matter what weight you shoot I think being comfortable with the weight is the key if you can only shoot a few arrows before you get fatigued your going to have trouble in the woods.

[Jesse Minish]

I shoot the same # bow all year. Not shooting to heavy though, around 73# or so at my draw.

[hvyhitter]

Usually pic a bow around July 4 and use it all season for everything so its pure dialed in muscle memory when I shoot. Will change it up a bit for spring 3d shoots till I go into refocus mode again............my bows range from 60 to 70# and I shoot them all about the same.............

[Lineman72]

When i shoot my heavy weight longbows pre season i am building the strength needed to hold my 10# bow when the game moves or waiting for the good shot. I dont snap shoot my heavy bow, i also practice holding it for 3 sec. When i hold my lighter weight bows i can hold for 15 sec no problem.

[zwickey2bl]

I don't shoot near as heavy as I used to (shot an 80# Jerry Hill for years), but now at around 60# I shoot the same all the time. Since last year I've been working out at the gym more (helps that my son bought a gym recently as a business) and focusing on the upper back and shoulder muscles most used when shooting our style of bows. That has helped me tremendously to shoot more easily and more accurately. I've found my accuracy improved by being able to hold for a second or two at full draw comfortably instead of feeling like I need to release as soon as I hit my anchor.

[dbd870]

Originally posted by zwickey2bl:
I've found my accuracy improved by being able to hold for a second or two at full draw comfortably instead of feeling like I need to release as soon as I hit my anchor.

Absolutely; when I hold 2-3 seconds I usually hit well, if I rush faster than that more often than not I'm not happy with the results.

[warbird]

I practice both holding and quick shooting. I believe both ways can be beneficial in different hunting situations. Concentrating on form by keeping your bow hand up and good follow through seems to work the best for me. It is much easier to pick up bad habbits quick shooting.