Post by: Bob33 on July 21, 2009, 04:10:50 PM
How do I know when to increase the draw weight? (I plan to hunt in early September)
Post by: Bean Counter on July 21, 2009, 04:19:21 PM
Post by: Old Dog on July 21, 2009, 10:13:01 PM
Back in the day when I was into wieght training we didn't work the same muscle group every day, because the muscles needed a day to "heal" from the hard work. Doing it that way actually built the muscle faster. We still lived by the saying "no pain, no gain". That just meant we worked whatever muscle group we were on until it hurt a little.
One last thing. Todays modern bows and arrows are very effecient, and will easily take elk with as little as 50# of draw. Shot placement is way more important than how fast it gets there.
Post by: Hoytstaffshooter83 on July 21, 2009, 10:31:27 PM
Exterior rotations
lateral raises
seated rows
Post by: Bob33 on July 22, 2009, 11:31:45 AM
What's I'm really looking for is an indicator to tell me when to increase draw weight. Increasing a half-turn a week doesn't work if I can't pull the new weight, right?
For example, how many arrows should I be able to comfortably shoot before increasing the draw weight? If I can shoot 100, then it's obvious I should increase the weight. If I can only shoot five, wouldn't it be better to stay at that weight longer?
Post by: WDFW-SUX on July 22, 2009, 11:34:01 AM
Post by: KillBilly on July 22, 2009, 11:46:34 AM
Post by: BULLBLASTER on July 22, 2009, 01:14:28 PM
Post by: Bob33 on July 22, 2009, 01:22:39 PM
Thanks - that's the kind of thought I'm looking for. In other words, if I can't draw the bow while sitting and keeping it pointed at the target, I need to stay at my current weight until I can.
Post by: Ray on July 22, 2009, 01:27:10 PM
Sit on a chair which has small foot rests like a stool does. Put your feet on the foot rests and make sure they are not touching the ground. Then draw your bow and aim at a target. If you have to put your foot down on the ground and or off the foot rest then you are probably "over bowed".
Post by: jackelope on July 22, 2009, 01:30:38 PM
Post by: Ray on July 22, 2009, 01:34:02 PM
Even the bow tests described above are just interesting things to know and gauge yourself with. I wouldn't say that because someone cannot pass that test they should not be using a particular bow. But they should be aware that they could improve on their physical strength.
Post by: BULLBLASTER on July 22, 2009, 01:48:51 PM
Even the bow tests described above are just interesting things to know and gauge yourself with. I wouldn't say that because someone cannot pass that test they should not be using a particular bow. But they should be aware that they could improve on their physical strength.
exactly. it is no rule but i dont want to be sitting in a cold ass treestand fir a few hours and have a big buck come by and not be able to get my bow back, or move too much getting it back. i think it should be done slow and smooth also. my 2 cents :chuckle:
Post by: MIKEXRAY on July 22, 2009, 03:46:40 PM
Post by: huntnphool on July 22, 2009, 04:12:41 PM
Post by: EastWaViking on July 22, 2009, 04:17:43 PM
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.
Post by: adam.WI on July 23, 2009, 01:15:11 PM
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on July 23, 2009, 01:20:56 PM
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.
Post by: timmyg on July 23, 2009, 01:46:05 PM
Many great ideas here.
Post by: Bob33 on July 23, 2009, 01:51:15 PM
(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.
Post by: tlbradford on July 23, 2009, 01:57:29 PM
As a beginning bow hunter my advice would be to stick to the lower weight for this year and shoot more arrows.
Post by: adam.WI on July 23, 2009, 04:28:50 PM
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.
Post by: Bob33 on July 23, 2009, 05:12:42 PM
Understood. Thank you.
Post by: Kain on July 24, 2009, 09:35:49 AM
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" :chuckle: :chuckle:
Post by: Bob33 on July 24, 2009, 02:15:21 PM
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?