Anybody let their bow weight down...
 

...for the off-season? I used to do it when I first started hunting, but the last 4-5 years I have not. Some say it stresses the limbs out to much to to store them for months at full draw weight. I have been on several bowhunting websites for a few years and have not seen this topic, so that is why I ask.
Graham Outdoors

RE: Anybody let their bow weight down...
 

The reason you probably don't hear much on this topic is because a majority shoot there bows all year round. I try to shoo every other day. So for many of us, turning the poundage down is just not an option.

http://community.webshots.com/user/gvdocholiday

RE: Anybody let their bow weight down...
 

But if you were going to hang it up for a few months, would you let it down? Just curious. I have never shot from Feb-July before but this year I am planning on it.
Graham Outdoors

RE: Anybody let their bow weight down...
 

the reason it was a good idea years ago to back your bow down was because bow limbs use to all be laminated. if you keep laminated limbs under stress year round w/o shooting or periodically drawing your bow they had a tendency to twist and take that set (stay twisted), for those of you too young to remember laminated limbs :). also the limbs would seperate at the glue joints if you kept them under stress unused year round. modern bows have solid fiberglass or composite limbs. anyway w/o the layers of glue in the limbs there is no reason to releave the stress.

Edited by - nodose on 01/19/2003 22:24:03

RE: Anybody let their bow weight down...
 

Nahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Not necessary. If you want to fine. Most bows only have about a 10 yard range anyway. Not enough difference to worry about. I'd worry more I'd back it out too far and some one would grab it, yank it back and I could watch it explode. I used to back it down but haven't in years. Of course the off season in my shooting is usually only about a month anyway. I will take it down and leave it with Len for an end of season overhaul. New strings, cables, clean, grease everything etc. I'll then put on another string in August.

RE: Anybody let their bow weight down...
 

Living in Idaho there's no where to shoot from november to june because of snow. So I for one turn my bow down 6 turns each limb, I write it on sticky paper and put it on my bow. The hoyt I shoot is now 10 yrs old and have had no problems, and I'm not even considering replacing it. elknut1.

www.elknut.com
Bugling Bulls & Beyond!

RE: Anybody let their bow weight down...
 

ShadowAce,

This topic has came up several times on the Technical Forum.
The limbs on modern compound bows are rated from 130,000 psi to over 200,000 psi.
Never back off your limb bolts; there is no need for it.
Many of today's limbs are still laminated.
But they're laminated under tons of pressure with super strong epoxies and won't come apart.
If you have one of the old compounds that has wood and glass lams then back it off.
The wood lams aren't nearly as strong and lose strength.
Most limbs are damaged because of the same reason they always were.
Shooting too light of an arrow.
I shoot 7 grains per lb of draw weight on all my compounds and get all the speed I need.



Sag.

RE: Anybody let their bow weight down...
 

Shadowace, I asked this very same question while back. I asked it much like you did, and got several responses of Off-season, what offseason didn't know one even existed. Well it does for some of us, that don't have the luxury of an indoor range, and don't enjoy shooting arrows in 3ft of snow, and below zero temps. I also noticed the board here has a topic titled OFFSEASON, so go figure! Anyways I asked the pro shop I purchased the bow from. He offered this advice. Its not absolutely necessary to back them down, but it wouldn't hurt either. Just make sure you don't turn them back too far. My bow has holes you can watch the limb bolts for that reason. I backed my down. I usually back it down for spring turkey season anyways, so it has 2 effects for me. I also own my own scales to crank it back up, and know how to check tiller to ensure each limb is the same. Good Luck!

RE: Anybody let their bow weight down...
 

I'm going to shoot in my basement this winter. It's only 15yards across at its widest, but better than nothing. If it doesn't hurt to leave the weight up, I won't worry about the fact that I don't do it.

Thanks all that replied!

ShadowAce
Graham Outdoors

RE: Anybody let their bow weight down...
 

actually I crank mine up and shoot it that way until just before season opens up then i will back it down some for the season its only about 5# either way i shoot mine at67# during the off season and around 62 when hunting season rolls around