Practice draw?
 

I wanted to mention to everyone who hunts in thecold weather, the importance of practicing your draw periodically. I had heard of some folks not being able to draw their bow because of muscles tightening up. At first I thought this was hog wash, until it happened to me last year in Alberta. I couldn't believe it!
I had rattled in a nice wide 8pt. When he got close enough, I tried to draw to be ready for a possible shot. What a surprise. I couldn't do it! I actually couldn't draw my own bow back!! Luckily, that buck didn't offer me a shot. However, I did learn a valuablelesson. I had been sitting for a few hours without drawing my bow to keep my muscles loose. That won't happen ever again. Just a reminder.;)

RE: Practice draw?
 

Always. Before going out and periodically on stand. I f nothing is happening I'll sometimes draw back on trees bushes etc. to stay loose. Do this quietly.

RE: Practice draw?
 

yeh... i was hunting about 3....years ago with my bow and had a little deer walk perfectly 10yrds from my stand... i stood up started to draw back and couldnt....i tried it again pullin with everything i had and got it back and ended up with a liver shot, rand bout 30 yards and dropped but now i know to stay loose or those muscle will tighten up

RE: Practice draw?
 

Been there before-I always practice a shot once an hour now,because of this.I got burned REALLY bad once.ONCE was all it took for me!! I even will leave my bow in my cold garage,so its already for the hunt.If you practice at home,its a real eye opener to practice when the weather is crappy.Not to mention its a blast when snowing real hard.Shoot a couple,then just sit in my lawn chair-NEIGHBOR SAYS IM NUTS-,but me and my bow will be ready while others are at home or went home.Deer have adapted to mother nature,so should we.Time in the stand or in our backyard,will prepare ya more than t.v. or a cabela book.

RE: Practice draw?
 

Why not just set your draw weight to a manageable poundage.....and not worry about making a bunch of unnecessary movement on stand?

RE: Practice draw?
 

Good point, but why not have both? Useable draw weight and keep yourself limber/ready for the moment?

RE: Practice draw?
 

Do whatever you feel works for you, RL. I just made a suggestion. If you have to worry about whether or not you can draw your bow back in cold weather......"I" think you're probably over-bowed.

RE: Practice draw?
 

"I" think you're nuts! It can happen even with "proper" draw weight if you've been sitting long enough. Think about it for a change.;)

RE: Practice draw?
 

I always pull my bow soon as I get in the stand, especially when its cold outside.
I have never had trouble drawing it, I do it mostly to make sure there are no creaksor pops in it or my stand.

RE: Practice draw?
 

I agree with Jeff about being overbowed, but maybe you fellas are getting old.I have never had the problem of getting to stiff to pull 70lbs when its freezing. Maybe the weightlifting over the years has payed off.

RE: Practice draw?
 

From NC and Ohio and you two are going to tell us how to hunt in the cold country. tisk tisk. Yes I highly recomend drawing back your bow frequently in the cold.

RE: Practice draw?
 

I will agree with that

RE: Practice draw?
 

Hey the coldest I've ever bowhunted in was 12 degrees. I got on stand last year 12/9....14 degrees....3:30 in the morning. Shot my buck at 8:15. But what do I know?

Do whatever floats your boat. If I have to draw my bow a lot to make sure I still can, though....."I" am overbowed.

If you're not worried about all the extra movement.....by all means....keep doin what you're doing.

RE: Practice draw?
 

GMMAT how was sin city

RE: Practice draw?
 

I didnt know Ohio was a warm weather state.We have 2 full months of the season that i might not see30 degrees. Do whatever wroks best for you but no sissys here!

RE: Practice draw?
 

ive never heard of this hapening, i could be lying down on my back and pull my bow at 70 lbs, are you guys just over ur weight thats u should be? are u all just little guys? i dont understand how u suddenly cant pull ur bow

RE: Practice draw?
 

Is it just me or does Bow Season really need to get here????[:o]

RE: Practice draw?
 

I'd agree...seems like everyone's gettin' a bit testy...

RE: Practice draw?
 

ditto

RE: Practice draw?
 

You all try heading for the tree in sub zero weather. Sit there for hours on end with 5-10 layers on, and then try to pull back 70 lb bow. Good luck with that. I am 37, and work construction. I am pretty physicly fit. Come on up ill put you out in a tree late in Dec. we will see how you do.;)

RE: Practice draw?
 

Like I said....My only experiences have been:

1) 12 degrees in VA.....blowing snow...and I had on enough clothes to pass for the Michelin man. I found out that day that I didn't need to be pulling 70lbs if I was going to hunt that type of weather, much.

2) 14 degrees and I shot after being on stand for almost5 hours.

I honestly dont care how you achieve what you're trying to achieve. You can do flips on stand if you want to. I honestly don't have any issues with drawing my bow.....and what you do doesn't concern me. I made a suggestion. Take it or leave it.

Kinda like using/not using scent-Lok, ya know;)

RE: Practice draw?
 

The issue isn't whether or not u work construction and how you deal with the cold. Hell, I work construction too and I'm not doubting that the cold takes a lot out of your body because I know first hand. Butif you have trouble drawing 70lbs in cold weather with all the layers....lower the lbs. I only shoot 60for deer hunting. I've personally never heard of any state having a 70lb requirement so why shoot more than you're capable of shooting comfortably and consistantly