We are frequently asked our advice regarding
some aspect of our sport. While we are not the sole authority on any
subject, we don't shy away from offering our advise or suggestions. We
encourage our visitors to use our hunting forums
to get a wide range of opinions. But we thought we would throw out our own
advise on some of the questions we are asked. If you would like us to
respond to a question, send it to us at questions@bowhuntinginfo.com.
We can't promise to publish your question, but we will give every question an
honest look.
Question: I just started
shooting a compound bow, and I am having trouble pulling don't
get me wrong I a not weak I just don't pull straight back! Therefore the arrow
is
forced off of the rest, will it just take practice or what could I do that
would eliminate that happening in the woods?
Answer:
I am not sure if there is something wrong with
your arrow rest, you will need to have a bow pro take a look at that.
I do sense, however, that you may be drawing too
much weight. Modern bow equipment is incredibly powerful. A lot of
archers make the mistake of too much draw weight. In fact, it may be the
most common, yet under-recognized problem that bow hunters have. I don't
know how much weight you are drawing, but I wouldn't be surprised to hear that
it is over 70 lbs.
Many hunters think the more power - the better.
But a modern compound bow drawing not more than 50 lbs will blow a
properly placed arrow right through most big game animals up to Elk and Moose.
You don't need a high draw weight to kill whitetail, mule deer, hogs, turkey,
or even black bears. The other reason hunters will get a "big"
bow is to flatten their arrow's trajectory. While a faster arrow will
fly flatter, more poundage will sacrifice accuracy. You can compensate
with lighter arrows, that will also flatten your trajectory, without
sacrificing accuracy. With practice any archer can overcome the effects
of gravity on the arrow, but drawing more weight than one can comfortably
handle will always result in an occasional errant arrow.
One sure way of judging whether or not you are
drawing too much weight, is if you have to go through any
"unnatural" movements in drawing your bow. If you have to
radically shift your shoulder (in order to keep from hurting) you have too
much bow! If your arrow is falling off your rest because of your arm
movements, look first to reducing your draw weight.
I hunt whitetails, bear, moose and elk with my
bow. When I hunt Elk or Moose, I will be shooting about 63-65 lbs, fast
enough to develop kinetic energy of about 65 flbs. For hunting the other
game, I shoot about 55 lbs. It more than does the job, and it is sooooo
much easier on my poor old body.
