Post by: littlebuf on December 29, 2009, 06:18:54 PM
Post by: Old Dog on December 29, 2009, 06:25:54 PM
Post by: littlebuf on December 29, 2009, 06:31:26 PM
Post by: Old Dog on December 29, 2009, 06:38:02 PM
Post by: littlebuf on December 29, 2009, 06:45:16 PM
Post by: @RCHER on January 01, 2010, 11:21:25 AM
I would encourage all archers that intend to bowhunt game to look at archery more from the perspective of an individual or team sport that requires consistent and regular practice to succeed. If you play baseball, you know when it's time to replace your gloves, balls or bats. If you're a runner, you watch for any problems with your shoes. Etc...
if you are "storing" your bow, that implies you are not shooting it as much as is required to remain as confident, accurate and lethal as possible, for quickly killing animals.
That said, if you shoot plenty you'll notice things about your equipment as they change. Similar to that wobble you feel in your feet if your brake rotors are beginning to warp on your car/truck. You notice it right away because you drive it every day. You'll see the little frays on your bow string. You'll notice a little wobble in the arrow flight (perhaps the string has stretched and it's out of tune). There's a little buzz you didn't notice before that could mean something is loose or a limb is cracked. Lots of things that are potentially detrimental to your success or safety in the field, but things you might miss if you don't shoot often.
So, although taking care of our equipment is also important, I hope you'll consider shooting so often you can't justify the storage option. As they say, "grass doesn't grow on a race track."
Happy 2010!
Post by: littlebuf on January 01, 2010, 11:29:06 AM
Post by: STIKNSTRINGBOW on January 01, 2010, 11:33:45 AM
Disclaimer: I in no way intend this to come across as offhanded. Please focus on the message. It means a lot to this bowhunter.:yeah:
I would encourage all archers that intend to bowhunt game to look at archery more from the perspective of an individual or team sport that requires consistent and regular practice to succeed. If you play baseball, you know when it's time to replace your gloves, balls or bats. If you're a runner, you watch for any problems with your shoes. Etc...
if you are "storing" your bow, that implies you are not shooting it as much as is required to remain as confident, accurate and lethal as possible, for quickly killing animals.
That said, if you shoot plenty you'll notice things about your equipment as they change. Similar to that wobble you feel in your feet if your brake rotors are beginning to warp on your car/truck. You notice it right away because you drive it every day. You'll see the little frays on your bow string. You'll notice a little wobble in the arrow flight (perhaps the string has stretched and it's out of tune). There's a little buzz you didn't notice before that could mean something is loose or a limb is cracked. Lots of things that are potentially detrimental to your success or safety in the field, but things you might miss if you don't shoot often.
So, although taking care of our equipment is also important, I hope you'll consider shooting so often you can't justify the storage option. As they say, "grass doesn't grow on a race track."
Happy 2010!
My problem is, I practice every day, but own 22 recurves ! I rotate between 6 of them on a regular basis, but most just hang (unstrung) in my shop.
I have one by my back door, one by the coat rack at the front door, one in my truck, and one is resting against my BBQ in the backyard right now. (I just finished a round)
I get in trouble with the wife all the time for leaving my stuff laying around :rolleyes:
Post by: weathergirl on January 01, 2010, 11:54:11 AM
Post by: uplandhunter870 on January 01, 2010, 11:55:59 AM
cant imagine that storing a bow outside would be best for it, especially in sub-freezing temps. i could only imagine that if its stored in freezing temps all winter long and then sees warmer temps in the spring that something would be out of tune when the bow warms up.
steve
Post by: @RCHER on January 01, 2010, 12:13:54 PM
When you mentioned the words "storage over time" and affects of weather on your equipment, I infer that to mean some amount of time, longer than weeks or months. This is a common topic on community forums like this one, and most folks are referring to storage over several months.
The only time I geek out on environmental effects is, for example, when I'm hunting in cold climates when the outside temp is...say 10 degrees and my truck or trailer is 75 degrees. Going in and out of those two disparate conditions causes expansion/contraction of materials and condensation that can quickly turn to rust, amongst other issues.
I don't find our temperate climate requires much more than a regular wipe-down and general maintenance to keep things in check. Just keep shooting like a maniac and when she breaks, fix her back up.
~ Cheers