First of all, I am a relative newbie to bowhunting(started last season). I think I'm finally to the point where I am going to retire the rifle and take it up full time. I am a new member to the forum(joined today) but have been reading it for a while.Let the hazing commence.....

My cousin and I went out Sunday afternoon to some public land near my house that holds a decent amount of deer. I had gone to his house to pick him up but decided to take some target practice before we left. I took at least 25-30 shots(it had been a couple weeks). Anyway, I get my climber in a tree and get settled. It turns out that I am undressed and started getting very cold. It was a combination of a cold front and being hotnatured, thus I tend to'dress down'. So around 4pm I see thisbig doestarting to work towards me down the creek bed. I decided to take her, if given the opportunity. She eventually presents me with a perfect 20yd, wide open, broadside shot. When I decided to draw, I realized that I was so cold that I COULD NOTcome to a full draw. My arms just did not want to work. Needless to say, I was cussing myself and I'm really glad that it was not a nice buck.

Has this happened to any of you? I'm not a small guy by any means, so it's not an issue of strength. I suppose the lesson is dress warmer and possibly crank my bow down a few pounds in bitter cold weather.

CORRECTION: I meant UNDERdressed, not undressed. hahaha

Don't flame me too hard

I've heard of this many times but it's never happened to me. Now mind you, in our second season I had to grunt it back when in regular season it comes natural. Like you said, I don't doubt your ability to draw the bow, after all you said you just got done target practice prior to going afield, It's also excellent advice by the way.....keep warm out there and welcome to the boards, we'll haze ya later.

I've had tough times drawing, but been able to come to full draw. Part of this is because of the cold and your muscles. Part of it is the fact you are wearing more layers of clothing which makes it tougher to draw and come to full draw.

When I begin to get cold I draw my bow back about once or twice an hour and hold it for a few seconds. This keeps your muscles pretty warm. Another thing that works is a squeeze ball, flexing your muscles generates heat which keeps them in good working shape. If they go cold then ya got to warm them back up.

Never had it happen..... But know people it happens to........ They are usually a tad bit over-bowed and when the muscles get cold they can't handle it....

I agree with everyone who has already posted. To many layers, the cold it's self, getting stiff from sitting, and drawing to much weight. I had this happen to me once. Dropped my draw weight 5lbs. Never happened again. I keep my draw weight at 65lbs. now but i know guys that crank it up when it's warm and turn it down when it's cold. By the way I'm 6'2" 230 not a strength problem, I know.

With my massive pectorials and rippeling back muscles I have to be careful not to pop strings and break limbs even well below -60 degrees.

Like the others, I've come awfully close to having it happen. Just crank her down a tad and resight.

i didn't see a deer saturday, but i was wondering if i had, if i was going to be willing to take my hands out of my hand warmer. i had my darn face mask and asat net drawn so tight i hardly had a field of view. i just wasn't going to come down until i saw my buddy had come down. turns out he was saying the same thing. we laughed about how dumb we are.