Increasing draw strength

[EastWaViking]

I would stick with 54 pounds for this season.  Uncle Ted shoots his bow somewhere in the 50-60 pound range.
If you can shoot a good group at 30 yards, and you are at a legal bow/arrow weight.  I'd stay put.  You will get stronger over time.

[adam.WI]

Shoot as many arrows as you can until form starts to go. If you are sore after 30 but still have good form keep shooting, that is when you are making the most gains in muscle. I would suggest getting to the point that you can shoot at least 60 arrows, with out messing up your form before raising the poundage.  Like stated before, 54 lbs will do the trick, just know your limitations.

[DOUBLELUNG]

I would stick with 54 pounds for this season.  Uncle Ted shoots his bow somewhere in the 50-60 pound range.
If you can shoot a good group at 30 yards, and you are at a legal bow/arrow weight.  I'd stay put.  You will get stronger over time.

100%.  Be excellent at a comfortable weight, far better than any compromise of competence for higher poundage.  You need to be able to hold at full draw for extended periods to maximize your hunting opportunities.  I dropped from shooting 82lbs for 10 years, down to 62lbs 4 years ago, and have never looked back.

[timmyg]

There are a lot of guys on here with knowledge regarding brand/type of bow and performance.  What is your current set-up.  Maybe that can help determine if increasing the poundage is too important at this time.  I would not be the guy with this vast knowledge.  On a side note, I don't believe the WDFG does regular testing on performance enhancing drugs yet.  Give Alex Rodriguez or one of his buddies a call on a recommendation.

Many great ideas here.

[Bob33]

I've learned a lot from this post.  My synopsis of the key points:

(1) More poundage is typically better, but not at the expense of being unable to hold at full draw.
(2) Shooting arrows strengthens the muscles; exercises also help.
(3) Hunt at a comfortable draw weight.

I've been stopping when I first start getting sore: around 30 arrows.  I think I should continue shooting, even if the form starts to deteriorate, simply to strengthen the muscles.  When it's time to hunt, I need to use a weight I can handle.

Thanks for all the great advice.

[tlbradford]

Don't shoot past the point when your form detiorates.  You are far better off taking a break and shooting later, after your muscles recover from the inital fatigue. 

As a beginning bow hunter my advice would be to stick to the lower weight for this year and shoot more arrows. 

[adam.WI]

I've been stopping when I first start getting sore: around 30 arrows.  I think I should continue shooting, even if the form starts to deteriorate, simply to strengthen the muscles.  When it's time to hunt, I need to use a weight I can handle.

don't practice with bad form, shoot until your form starts to suffer. If you practice with bad form, you will learn bad form. You may only get 5 arrows after being sore to the point that your form suffers. That is all it takes.

[Bob33]

"Don't shoot past the point when your form detiorates. "

Understood.  Thank you.

[Kain]

I always practice at 70#.  I shoot a few arrows take a break, then shoot some more.  I usually get in about 100 shots per week.  Then right before the season opens I drop it down to 65#.  Makes you feel like you are strong.    I have been archery hunting since I was really young so 70# doesnt feel that heavy to me but I also started when heavy bows were what was needed.  The technology today is far superior and a light bow is shooting far better than the bows I had years ago.

building muscle = heavy weight low reps
Conditioning, toning muscle = low weight high rep

Also dont forget your other arm.  Try just holding your bow out without it drawn.  It gets heavy fast.  If you can build the muscles up on that side you will be more stable and thus more accurate.  <----I said "thus"   

[Bob33]

Kain, that's exactly the type of advice I'm looking for!  THANKS.

I've been thinking about increasing the draw weight to a point where I can only shoot 5 or 10 arrows, to build strength.  With only six weeks left, however, I'm probably better off practicing at the weight I will hunt with?