Bow set up
#1
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
I need some advice. I just bought a used bow (my first) to learn how to bowhunt. The bow fits me well, and is in good condition, but I cannot figure out how to mount the whisker buiscuit or arrow rest. I bought both, but the bow, it's an older Bear bow, doesn't have a bolt receiver drilled where the biscuit is supposed to be mounted. There is a spot where it looks like the bolt is supposed to be, but it was never drilled or threaded. I tried to get a screw in there, but it is solid aluminum. Has anyone run into this before? I have considered epoxying the biscuit mount on. Are there any mounts out there that don't need to be screwed in?
#4
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 913
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
DO NOT DRILL or screw anything into that riser that isn't there already! Take it to the shop and let them handle it. Some older bows were never meant to have anything but the old stick on arrow rest. More info on your bow is needed to know for sure, so you're better off taking it to the shop.
#5
Giant Nontypical
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 9,175
Likes: 0
If it doesn't have a bolt hole, it's one probably made in the 70's or early 80's. It's designed to be used with a stick-on rest. More than likely, the Bear Weatherest is what it originally came with. It's still available. Found it at huntersfriend.com for a whopping $2.49. Buy several.

Also buy a shooting glove or tab because it's meant to be shot with a fingers release, not a mechanical release. I'd also recommend shooting arrows that weigh at least 7 grains per pound of draw weight. Unless it's very low draw weight, that limits you to only aluminum (Easton XX75)or fiberglass/carbon composite arrows like the Carbon Express Terminator. Going lighter than that will increase the odds of that bow blowing up.
Don't even try to mount a wisker bisquit or prong rest on that bow because they won't work. The arrow will be way too close to the sight window. Save them to use on your next bow.
Like the other guys said, take your bow to the pro shop and have it checked out thoroughly. Hopefully there will be an older bowhunter behind the counter that knows what to look for on those old steel cable bows. Most of the young guys don't have a clue.

Also buy a shooting glove or tab because it's meant to be shot with a fingers release, not a mechanical release. I'd also recommend shooting arrows that weigh at least 7 grains per pound of draw weight. Unless it's very low draw weight, that limits you to only aluminum (Easton XX75)or fiberglass/carbon composite arrows like the Carbon Express Terminator. Going lighter than that will increase the odds of that bow blowing up.
Don't even try to mount a wisker bisquit or prong rest on that bow because they won't work. The arrow will be way too close to the sight window. Save them to use on your next bow.
Like the other guys said, take your bow to the pro shop and have it checked out thoroughly. Hopefully there will be an older bowhunter behind the counter that knows what to look for on those old steel cable bows. Most of the young guys don't have a clue.
#7
Giant Nontypical
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 9,175
Likes: 0
Well, yes, any bow can be shot with a release. The problem is your arrow flight will probably be terrible.Even if it's not terrible, the arrowwill be flying off at an angle from your line of sight. For aright handed shooter, that means the arrow will strike further and further left as distance increases.
To use a release successfully, the bow's sight window has to be cut beyond center so the arrow can be adjusted to be directly in line with the string. That bow is not cut past center. The arrow will be pointing off to the left of the string. Just right for shooting fingers, but not even close for using a release. With a fingers release, the bowstring will move outward as it goes around the fingers, putting the nock end of the arrow in line with the point.
Don't worry. All is not lost. There is nothing horrendously difficult about shooting a bow with your fingers. It just takes a bit more practice than it does with a release. Not a problem for someone who enjoys shooting a bow. A good fingers shooter will not shoot as accurately as a good release shooter, but the difference is slight. It's usually measured in fractions of an inch.
People usually run into trouble because they try to release the string. That's not how it's done. It's impossible to make a good release by trying tosnap your fingers open to get themout of the string's path. A good release is happens by doing nothing. You are already doing something, holding the string and pushing your elbow back to maintain back tension. When you're ready for the arrow to leave, you maintain that elbow push, but simply quit holding the string. Just relax your fingers, letting the string pushthose fingers out of the way and excape.
Forshooting fingers with sights, the best anchor is putting the index finger at the corner of your mouth.
To use a release successfully, the bow's sight window has to be cut beyond center so the arrow can be adjusted to be directly in line with the string. That bow is not cut past center. The arrow will be pointing off to the left of the string. Just right for shooting fingers, but not even close for using a release. With a fingers release, the bowstring will move outward as it goes around the fingers, putting the nock end of the arrow in line with the point.
Don't worry. All is not lost. There is nothing horrendously difficult about shooting a bow with your fingers. It just takes a bit more practice than it does with a release. Not a problem for someone who enjoys shooting a bow. A good fingers shooter will not shoot as accurately as a good release shooter, but the difference is slight. It's usually measured in fractions of an inch.
People usually run into trouble because they try to release the string. That's not how it's done. It's impossible to make a good release by trying tosnap your fingers open to get themout of the string's path. A good release is happens by doing nothing. You are already doing something, holding the string and pushing your elbow back to maintain back tension. When you're ready for the arrow to leave, you maintain that elbow push, but simply quit holding the string. Just relax your fingers, letting the string pushthose fingers out of the way and excape.
Forshooting fingers with sights, the best anchor is putting the index finger at the corner of your mouth.



