Why such a LARGE stabilizer?
 

When I see some of the posts on this board and see their picture(s) and photos of their bows, I always wonder why some of their bows are set up with a stabilizer as long as their entire bow length. Don't these people who have a stabilizer that is over a foot long know that those stabilizers are usually set up on target shooting bows? I wonder how difficult it would be to maneuver such a bow in a treestandwith such a LONG stabilizer?

RE: Why such a LARGE stabilizer?
 

5-6 inch stabilizer is suffient enough for hunting.

RE: Why such a LARGE stabilizer?
 

Seems to me this stabilizer is TOO LONG and would hinder a hunters maneuverbility while in his or her treestand.

RE: Why such a LARGE stabilizer?
 

You're absolutely right but will get a lot of disagreement.

RE: Why such a LARGE stabilizer?
 

I'm sure about the disagreement but I just can't figure out why they would put such a long and obscured stabilizer on their bow(s) when they could put a much smaller stabilizer with the same weight on their bows.

RE: Why such a LARGE stabilizer?
 

There's a long stabilizer on that bow because it's not set up for hunting.........it's a 3D target shooting rig.

;)

RE: Why such a LARGE stabilizer?
 

Here's a bigger picture of that same bow and set up. I seriously doubt if it's a target/competition bow when it is camoflauged and has silencers on the string.
http://www.huntingnet.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=1512806

RE: Why such a LARGE stabilizer?
 

I think you'll find that most go to shorter stabilizers for hunting and are in fact using the longer for targets and leagues. They continue to use their hunting gear in prep for hunting rather than buy a dedicated target bow. Me, I just have a shorty all the time.

RE: Why such a LARGE stabilizer?
 

Muzzy.......I'm friends with Rob. That particular bow is set up for target shooting.
Nothing in the rules that say you can't shoot fake animals with a camo bowand string silencers.;)
It will be a hunting bow this fall at which time the accessories will be altered but for right now that is a target shooting set-up.

RE: Why such a LARGE stabilizer?
 

My bad Matt. Good hunting.

RE: Why such a LARGE stabilizer?
 

It's all up to personal preference. Maybe they hunt in open enough areas that a couple more inches doesn't make a difference. Why do some people shoot bows with ATA @ 40+" when they could shoot a shorter ATA like 33"? It's all personal preference.

Also, if you take 2 stabilzers with the same weight, say 10 oz, but one is 5" and the other is 8"...there will be a difference in the balance of the bow. The longer stabilizer will put the balance point more to the front, while the shorter one will be further back. If there is a lot of weight towards the rear of the bow initially, then a longer stabilizer will help to pull the balance point forward quicker with a lighter stabilizer. With a shorter stabilzer, you would need to add more weight, thus making your bow heavier.

RE: Why such a LARGE stabilizer?
 

One of my friends has one that is 3 ft long, i think its too big even for target shooting.

RE: Why such a LARGE stabilizer?
 

ok i have another question about stablizers then. when you see guys target shooting they have a stabalizer that comes off the bow(which is usually like 3 maybe 4 ft), then they have 2 other stabalizers of the same length coming off the first stablizer. what do those other 2 stabalizers do and how to they help???

RE: Why such a LARGE stabilizer?
 

They really don't, it's nothing but a psychological boost, nothing but BS.

RE: Why such a LARGE stabilizer?
 

[quote]Maybe they hunt in open enough areas that a couple more inches doesn't make a difference.



I don't care if it's KING KONG hunting Rhino's there is NO REASON for a 2 foot stabilizer on a hunting bow!

RE: Why such a LARGE stabilizer?
 

I guess I've never seen one of those...the largest one I've seen on a hunting bow is about 12". Like I said before though, it's personal preference.

RE: Why such a LARGE stabilizer?
 

PSEMuzzy,
Where are you seeing guys shooting 2 ft. stabilizers on a hunting bow? I've been bowhunting for 22yrs and have never personally seen anyone with anything over 12".

Those side stabilizers and long ones do serve a purpose and 99% of the time you will find them on target bows. (Occaisionally you will see someone with a short side or back weight to balance a hunting bow properly that has an odd geometry that is difficult to balance with normal weight choices)
The 'V-bar' stabilizers you see on target bows are important in their ability to counterbalance the weight of extended sight bars and long front rods.
Without the counterbalancing affect most target bows will not balance properly while aiming and will have a tendency to dive hard in the direction of the sight.
It is important to balance any bow properly in the static(at full draw)and dynamic (at the shot) modes.
V'bars and long stabilizers are not BS in any way shape or form.......they don't serve any practical purpose in hunting situations but are vital in many target formats.

RE: Why such a LARGE stabilizer?
 

The longer stabilizers on the target bows are more for weight distribution....to help balance the bow forward and aft. The same goes for the other stabilizers thatcome off the first (say at a 30 degree angle rearwards)....these help stabilize the left/right movement when shooting. It's supposed to give a good overall balance to the bow.....learned all this from a girl I used to date when she did a lot of organized target shooting (can't think of the name right now). Hope this helps

RE: Why such a LARGE stabilizer?
 

This comment is comming from the totally uninformed and is 100% wrong. Therefore it is the real BS.

Stabilizers do just that, they stabilize. Take a 5' broom handle and hold it out in front of you, holding it at the very end. Try to wiggle it around. Then take a 2' piece and do the same. Which one is harder to move around? The longer one is harder to move, therfore it is more stabile.

The V-bar set up used to be more popular with the IBO 3-d shooters. Besides being stabile, you could add more weight to the side opposite your sight to make up for that weight imbalance as well.

The bow pictured with the "long" stabilizer and sight is a target set-up. The stabilizer is the short model of carbon stix. I have the long model at 30". They are great stabilizers. Carbon can dampen more vibration than aluminium which is why they are used on the faster bow setups.

The length of stabilizers is sometimes dictated by what class you are shooting in competition. The bowhunter class was no longer than 12" from the riser. As far as hunting goes, it is hunters preference that dictates the size of their stabilizer or any equiptment for that matter. What ever gives them the best balance, feel or piece of mind, is what should be used. Anything 12" or less should not be a hinderance out in the field. BTW, PSE's torque tamer stabilizer is a good one also. I've used them for years with good results. By the time I installed it on my folding extension over my wrist sling, it measured about 9-10".

I did see a guy out hunting with a 36" stabilizer one time, it had a chrome ball on the end of it. He was totally camoflaged and when he came past my stand, it looked like someone flashing a mirror all over the place.

RE: Why such a LARGE stabilizer?
 

Sorry for being uninformed Greg..........I guess all my bows with my 5" stabilizers that I have taken many deer in my 30 years of bowhunting must be nothing but BS. What I'm saying is simply that there is no need for a set up of a stabilizer 10-12 inches on a bow used primarily for hunting. Call is personal preference or whatever you like. I've hunted in some pretty cramped quarters and to be able to maneuver a bow with a short stabilizer is definately a plus and not a hinderance.

P.S. I don't hunt with a broomstick either. Happy Hunting and Good Bloodtrails.

RE: Why such a LARGE stabilizer?
 

I currently shoot a 9" Kyber or a 8" Stealth stabilizer on my hunting bow and do not feel anything under 11" hinders manuverability one bit. I think what your seeing is that archers are enjoying shooting 3D with thier hunting bows in preperation for the bow season and are looking for the best shooting setup without affecting huntability. I think most experienced archers would agree that a longer stabilizer usually does not affect accuracy in a negative way, so why not shoot the best shooting setup while hunting if your comfortable with it. I also shoot a CBE Microlight II sight with a single pin Shrewd housing and am sure we will get a lot of disagreement on that. Like many of you Ive been bowhunting for 25 years and know what works for me, maybe not the best choice for everyone but its what I like !!

RE: Why such a LARGE stabilizer?
 

For starters I can't beleive you are arguing about stabilizers and getting all pissy when someone corrects you. A guy asks why you need longer stabs and offsets while target shooting and you tell him that you don't, it's all BS. Then when someone says you are wrong you get upset. If you knew why did you ask in the first place? And further more, why do you care? What is it to you if someone shoots a 3 foot stab for target, or a 1 foot one for hunting? If you don't want to that is fine, doesn't mean I or someone else can't if we want to. I don't use a peep or fancy sights on my bow, I know others that don't even use sights. Doesn't mean others are wrong because they do. Why do you use a stabilizer at all if they are BS? You could just as easily kill deer without one, and your bow would weigh less and be easier to carry in the woods.

I personally use an 11 inch stabilizer (actually two screwed together) that weighs about a pound. It is on a 30 inch ATA bow and I do not have any trouble getting it thru the woods and moving around in a tree stand.

And stabilizers do serve a function. The newer ones not so much to stabilize the bow, but to reduce vibration and recoil. I personally think if you are using one under 8 inches to stabilize the bow you might as well take it off because probably isn't long enough to do anything but add weight and get in the way.

A longer stabilizer helps the bow resist side to side movement helping keep your pin more steady on the target. It takes longer to settle down sometimes, but once it does it takes more force to move it again. (They also make nice rests while your looking at the target or waiting to shoot;).) V-bars or counter weights do just what the name implies. They counter act the forward weight of the long stabilizer to help balance the bow better. They also add mass and can be adjusted to help with natural cant. A heavier bow also holds more steady on the target, it's not fun to carry, but it shoots better.

Paul

RE: Why such a LARGE stabilizer?
 

GREAT POST Paul! That was very clear and logical!

RE: Why such a LARGE stabilizer?
 

Great post indeed!!! butprobably still not clear enough for some..[&:]

RE: Why such a LARGE stabilizer?
 

I wasn't aware that a hunting bow couldn't also be a target rig

RE: Why such a LARGE stabilizer?
 

Well from reading the posts it sounds like more are confused than any thing. And some are enraged about long stabilizers. Its all about comfort.
realistically it would be tough to shoot a long stablizer for hunting. I currently use a 10" vibracheck carbon fiber w/ a doinker A-bomb for weight. I like my bow to just sit balanced in my hand. But thats my preferance. Not every one is going to feel the same about subjects. its human nature to argue!!!!

RE: Why such a LARGE stabilizer?
 

Many people use hunting style bows when target shooting. They are cheaper, easier to find and have better resale than the same bow in target colors. The archery industry is driven by hunters, not target shooters so the target stuff is a bit harder to find and costs more usually. At least in the U.S. anyway.

I do believe there are some target venues that will not let you use camo bows and have a dress code for the shoots. In my area I would say 90 percent of the bows you see are camo be it indoor spots, 3-D, field archery, or hunting.

And with the price of bows now a days most only buy one bow and use it for target and hunting. If you do both the type of bow you choose will be pretty simple. You can target shoot just as well with a camo bow, but a neon blue bow with chrome cams my not be the best equipment to hunt with.

Paul

RE: Why such a LARGE stabilizer?
 

Good point !! Most hunting bow set ups are good for novice or hunter classes. since the regs. limit speed, and stabilzer length 12" and under.As far as dress code: I'm not about other sanctions but, ASA requires a shirt w/ a collar. And no cut off shorts. But only being a rule at a Pro/Am National shoot. State qualifiers dont count . Wear what you brung in those. And a camo bow doesnt matter in classes. not for sure about Pro Class tho. But Novice, Hunter and open classes allow camo bows.
Helps because you can set your hunting rig and shoot what ever. With out having to buy 2 bows. Its what I used to do bfore I got my shooter deals. Cause I was a broke fella.

RE: Why such a LARGE stabilizer?
 

Paul L Mohrif I forget to tell you............eat a half ton bag of $hi#!
If you don't like my posts and they don't pertain to you........get lost!

RE: Why such a LARGE stabilizer?
 

Muzzy take it easy it was your stupidity to begin with by saying a hunting bow cant also be used as a target rig

RE: Why such a LARGE stabilizer?
 

Nice attitude. How does it not pertain me? You ask for opinions, I gave you mine. If you don't like it I don't know what to tell you. If you want me to get lost don't tell people things that are not true or give advice on something you don't know anything about.

My bow gets shot maybe 2 percent of the time actually hunting and the rest is target shooting or playing in the back yard. I find a little longer stabilizer works better for longer shots like 40-80 yards so I use one. And I don't find it hard to get around in the woods either, as a matter of fact I could go a bit longer and still be comfortable in that regard as long as the balance was still good.

I'm glad you kill lots of deer with your set up, that is great. That doesn't mean everyone needs to set up just like you do. I personally don't think hitting a deer at 20 to 30 yards is that difficult so pretty much any set up would work if you wanted it to. However if you are trying to hit a 1 inch circle at 40 yards or a 3 inch circle at 70 yards you have to be comfortable with your set up. And if that means a little longer stabilizer than so be it. Personally if it was a choice between the stabilizer you use and none at all I pick none at all. That is just me though. I wouldn't shoot a PSE either but you are more than welcome to if you want.

Paul

RE: Why such a LARGE stabilizer?
 

Paul, don't worry about PSE. I think he had his mind set on the answer before he even posted the "question."

I just want to say thanks for your responce here because if nothing else, you helped me learn a little more about stabilizers. THANKS PAUL!!

RE: Why such a LARGE stabilizer?
 

Ican't believe he doesn't hunt with a broom handle![:-]

RE: Why such a LARGE stabilizer?
 

pse muzzy.. your the one who should get lost. i dont what you do/did on other forums but it looks like ur trying to stir the pot up a little bit