I think it depends on the type of bow. I saw a guy dry fire a Hoyt at the archery shop, and it did no damage, but the owner of the shop showed be two Mathews bows that he was repairing from a single dry fire. The cams on those were annhialated. So I think it varies from model to model. If it has any other problems than the stabalizer, I have to believe it will be obvious after a shot or two.