Newfangled archery gizmos!!

shotgunner11

shotgunner11

Joined
Dec 17, 2005
Messages
7,809
I'm talking about the "bows" with the wheels on them.

The ones Doc calls "little kids bikes".

I was shooting my trad bow quite a bit shortly before I moved and I aggrvated an old shoulder injury from my younger, dumber days. I took a break from it for a while but no luck, shooting a bit this week has proven painful and it's to the point that it's affecting my sleep and my quality of life.

I considered dropping my draw weight but I really want to be able to hunt with my bow and if I go weaker I'm worried about losing effectiveness.

So I was at the Gander Mt. the other day and just for craps and giggles I played around with a few compound bows, or as I like to call them complex bows. Much to my dismay, when I pulled a 70lb. bow.....no pain.

I'm trying to come to terms with my unfortunate fate and get excited about spending tons of money on a bow and then tons of time getting it tuned and then tons more time learning how to shoot it being as I've always been a instinctive shooter and thats what turned me off to compounds to begin with.

I tried a few at Gander Mt. and a few more of my brothers friends bows, can't shoot them because I'm proper handed and everyone else is wrong handed, silly righties. I think I've settled on a Bear "Lights out"http://www.beararcheryproducts.com/bows/compound/lights-out/. I also liked the Hoyt's but their twice the price and IMO not twice the bow.

I know a few of you shoot these complex monsters, what do ya' think?
 
I have been shooting a compound bow for 15+/- years now. I have always been a little sorry that I didn't go the traditional bow route. However, I like what I got. My present bow is a Martin. Good solid bow for the money, 60# max. draw with a smooth pulling M-Pro cam. My shoulder does not complain about 60#. There are a lot of good compounds out there so hope you can get around and try several different makes and models.
Just one thing you might want to keep in mind is that the IBO rating that is posted on most of the bows does not necessairly mean you will get that speed out of your bow. That is all based on 70# pull, 30" draw and a 300 grain arrow. So figure out what is most comfortable for you to shoot and tote and then go have fun with it.
Yes, it is funn being left handed as most of the shops where I live don't carry them and if they do you don't get much choice.
 
check your game laws as well I don't know what your curent draw weight is but in NYS for example it is legal to hunt big game with any bow with a draw weight of greater than 35 lbs.. WHile this seems to be a small amount of draw, You are not killing by impact, but rather through causing hypvolemia ("bleeding out" with in the target) and with broad heads (depending on what you are hunting) that does not take alot of force.. I wouldn't try a bear or a boar with it but it by law at least here it is considered adequate. THat being said I shoot a 50 lb recurve. I switched from a coumpound because believe it or not, it hurt my shoulder. I just today as a matter of fact sold my compund and am now exclusively a stickbow shooter.. Which ever route you go, Have fun.
 
Yea, I'm going to have to order the bow, no doubt. I like that most of the archery companies seem to publish their prices so you don't get ripped off as bad.
 
RescueRiley said:
check your game laws as well I don't know what your curent draw weight is but in NYS for example it is legal to hunt big game with any bow with a draw weight of greater than 35 lbs.. WHile this seems to be a small amount of draw, You are not killing by impact, but rather through causing hypvolemia ("bleeding out" with in the target) and with broad heads (depending on what you are hunting) that does not take alot of force.. I wouldn't try a bear or a boar with it but it by law at least here it is considered adequate. THat being said I shoot a 50 lb recurve. I switched from a coumpound because believe it or not, it hurt my shoulder. I just today as a matter of fact sold my compund and am now exclusively a stickbow shooter.. Which ever route you go, Have fun.
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Thanks for that, I will have to check the game laws here, I've never hunted in Tx.
 
omg are you gonna spend!
105xwtx.gif
but you already know that.

Before we got our "training wheels" we did a lot of research on them,
and Mathews was up there, so after visiting the local shops and trying out several brands,
models we ended up with Mathews. we luv it.

I grew up with traditional bows (way younger) and we'll probably go back to them,
but having a compound is really nice and all the expensive gizmo's you can get! (like you said).

Good luck and good shooting ;)
 
then tons more time learning how to shoot it being as I've always been a instinctive shooter and thats what turned me off to compounds to begin with.
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I hate those wheels and cables too but there's no reason not to shoot instinctively with a compound bow. If it comes with a sight already installed just take the foolish thing off.
 
Now, were going back close to 20 years, but I got my first compound bow with that very intention, to try it with instinctive shooting.

I just never got the feel for it, never felt right.

I'll give it a shot but I think I'll end up with a sight on the thing. Would be nice to be more accurate at 50+ yards. I bet I could get quite a few more piggies with that extended range.
 
I shot one recently that didn't have a sight mounted on it (and when I mentioned that the new owner said, Oh, is that what that extra little thingie in the box is?) I didn't have any difficulty shooting it instinctively. If your form is consistent it'll shoot to the same place every time ... it's no different from shooting my American flat bow. Just uglier.
 
Depending on what is causing your shoulder pain a compound may only be a short term answer. There is much debate what an effective draw weight for hunting is. Fred Bear apparently was quoted as stating that 40lb is all that is required for the majority of hunting situations and you will see in the bowhunting magazines large game being taken with such poundage. I use a samick equus recurve 40lb which i taken numerous pigs with and is very easy to use.(I also have a shoulder problem) I also have a Darton compound 80lb which i have used for about 14 years, it is ok but is heavy when hunting out bush all day. I also occaisionally use a crossbow excalibur paradox a compound crossbow which can bring down anything and is ideal for people with shoulder problems but you may as well use a rifle and i think the kinetic energy would nearly be the equivalent of a large calibre rifle.
It sounds like with your shoulder issue that you can draw the initial weight but are having difficulty whilst aiming. If you can draw an 80lb compound you should be able to use a 40lb recurve or similar without difficulty, If not you need a medical review.Also you should consider what the majority of your use will be. ie: 99% target practice and 1%hunting. Lower poundage Bows are more enjoyable to use on a daily basis.
 
chiron said:
Depending on what is causing your shoulder pain a compound may only be a short term answer. There is much debate what an effective draw weight for hunting is. Fred Bear apparently was quoted as stating that 40lb is all that is required for the majority of hunting situations and you will see in the bowhunting magazines large game being taken with such poundage. I use a samick equus recurve 40lb which i taken numerous pigs with and is very easy to use.(I also have a shoulder problem) I also have a Darton compound 80lb which i have used for about 14 years, it is ok but is heavy when hunting out bush all day. I also occaisionally use a crossbow excalibur paradox a compound crossbow which can bring down anything and is ideal for people with shoulder problems but you may as well use a rifle and i think the kinetic energy would nearly be the equivalent of a large calibre rifle.
It sounds like with your shoulder issue that you can draw the initial weight but are having difficulty whilst aiming. If you can draw an 80lb compound you should be able to use a 40lb recurve or similar without difficulty, If not you need a medical review.Also you should consider what the majority of your use will be. ie: 99% target practice and 1%hunting. Lower poundage Bows are more enjoyable to use on a daily basis.
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Your sumation is about right, I can still pull all the weight but holding that weight for any ammount of time seems to give me a "toothache" in my shoulder joint if that makes any sense.

Frankly, I avoid the medical profession at all costs, I think they all have cooties.

I've always had a preference for a 60lb bow, it's what I've always shot. Your most likely right about the poundage but I'm just set on 60.
 
I agree, Instinctive shooting/non-sight is a good idea, with any bow.
but I also like my sites, even in low light I can aim (with or without the lights). I use this;
szd06q.jpg

Cobra Sidewinder and I think Compound bows look cool :p
 
I'm not tryin to be ants at the picnic, but I think a 40 lb recurve would be really fun, and effective for what you need. but that's just me, and I tend to get bit organic in my toys as I mentioned I sold off my compund, and all my eletric guitars, Just perfer wood and wind I guess, but there's nothing wrong with a fender strat or a compund bow if you can make 'em sing...good luck now matter what you do, also I don't know what your fitness level is (probably better than mine) but some rowing type excercises, as well as some simple rotator cuff excercises might be helpfull in eliminating your shoulder problem..Just a thought.
 
shotgunner11 said:
I'm talking about the "bows" with the wheels on them.

The ones Doc calls "little kids bikes".
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Hey shotgunner, despite the fact that I liken them to small CCM's :rolleyes:, they are still bows and that's the important thing. I was just having a little fun with Twin Blades. As I was reading down the thread, I was asking myself what poundage you were shooting. Further on down, I saw 60#.

When I'm shooting regularly, I can shoot 70#, but I shoot 50# comfortably. I know you don't want to drop to 40 but why not give 50# a try? 50 is a good draw weight. I don't know how old you are, but as you get older 50 will look a lot more agreeable than 60. Also, here in Ontario, 50# is legal for all big game, 40# is only acceptable for deer, so if you shoot 50 (@28", of course) you're good to go, at least from a legal standpoint.

Also I agree with chiron about the medical assessment. It may just be something that a little physical therapy will take care of and you'll be shooting the old stick bow again.

Doc
 
I have a stack of recurves in the closet, but when it comes to bringing home the venison, I grab my ol' Mathews Q2 60lb. compound. Compared to a slender, graceful recurve, the compound looks like something Rube Goldberg put together. :-)

Mathews%20Q2.jpg


I started off the bow season by filling my "anterless" tag on Friday morning. I had venison heart for dinner tonight. Each piece had a wonderful little y-shaped slice in it from a Muzzy 100gr. three-blade broadhead. :)

I'm going out again tomorrow afternoon to look for something with antlers.

Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
Shotgunner,

I quit shooting my traditional bows a year or two back due to shoulder woes. It never dawned on me to try a compound again. Another case of letting prejudice screw over fun. I probably don't have the focus or patience to go back to a compound and all the gagetry, but its worth a second thought.

Good luck with your efforts, and have fun. I had an invitation to bow hunt hogs with my brother today, but I had family schedule conflicts and besides I need some target and tune up time. Next time I'm over your direction, I'll give you a shout. I've got a great stump shooting spot and even know where some pigs might be ambushed.
 
Shearwater said:
Shotgunner,

I quit shooting my traditional bows a year or two back due to shoulder woes. It never dawned on me to try a compound again. Another case of letting prejudice screw over fun. I probably don't have the focus or patience to go back to a compound and all the gagetry, but its worth a second thought.

Good luck with your efforts, and have fun. I had an invitation to bow hunt hogs with my brother today, but I had family schedule conflicts and besides I need some target and tune up time. Next time I'm over your direction, I'll give you a shout. I've got a great stump shooting spot and even know where some pigs might be ambushed.
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Sounds great, hopefully I'm all set up by then, if not, I'll just shoot the recurve and not sleep that night.:D
 
I found a great little archery shop today not too, too far from my house. Has a nice little range and a great selection.

I picked up a Bear "Game over", slightly bigger than the "Lights out" that I posted the link to earlier. I couldn't believe they had one in left hand with a 28" pull, it was waiting for me.

It's 70lb., but with 80% let off, it wasn't bothering me at all to pull it.

I got it "naked" i.e. no rest, sights, quiver, nothing. I kinda blew my budget on just the bow so it'll be awhile before I can get shooting but once I do I'll have a better bow than I had expected to be shooting.
 
Just got into archery about a year and a half ago. Bought a PSE Predator package deal bow. It works well enough for me, it's plenty accurate and is reliable enough for me. It's 60# at 28". I shoot with sights, but know people who don't use them. Whatever suits you best. I would like to get a recurve sometime down the road.
 
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