Ouch! Why am I hitting my arm so much!
 

Ok, I'm 27 and have been shooting a bow since I was 14 so I've been at it a while. I've always shot a PSE with a 29" draw at about 55-60lbs. I finally bought a new bow after 7 years with my PSE. I got the Bear Instinct in 29", 66lb draw. I never ever had a problem with hitting my wrist before with the string but I do it ALL the time with the Bear!!! I mean, its starting to hurt!!! I actually had to take a day off because it was so puffy. Anyway, I thought I had it cured by holding the bow with my hand at a different angle and it helped somewhat but I keep going back to my old for form and the beating continues. Is it because it so much more of a shorter bow for me? I didn't think that would be the issue. This bow also has the string loop which I never used before, could this effect the draw length, thus screwing with my arm? I'm at a loss so any input would be most appreciated!

RE: Ouch! Why am I hitting my arm so much!
 

I would venture to guess that your draw length is to long.

RE: Ouch! Why am I hitting my arm so much!
 

Or bad form, did you go down in brace height?

That's the only two reasons anyone should hit their arm, bad form or too long of a draw which go hand in hand.

RE: Ouch! Why am I hitting my arm so much!
 

Are you really a 29" draw??? That is my first question. Did you change anything??? Shooting a loop now vs. off the string before??? Fingers vs. release??? I have more questions than answers, sorry. Are you over-gripping the bow??? Try to keep you hand nice and relaxed, and don't choke the handle. I'm sure there are other suggestions coming.

You mention the loop, I must have browsed over that, and YES, it makes your draw about 1/2" longer, but I wouldn't think that alone would do it. I can and have shot bows up to 31" with a release, just had to cheat a little, but 1/2" shouldn't make that big of a difference.

RE: Ouch! Why am I hitting my arm so much!
 

Axle to axle my new Bear is almost a full foot shorter than my old PSE. I'm shooting 10lbs more draw weight and the new bow has the string loop which my old bow didn't. I shoot with a release, my old one just broke before I got the bow so I am shooting with a new release but I don't think that would be the issue. Im pretty sure I'm 29" draw but now I guess I have my doubts. I've shot a 29" bow for 13 years without any issues before getting this one. I thought it could be my grip since the handle is also thinner but I actually went as far as opening my hand up and just pretty much keeping my thumb and index finger to balance everything out. My form has always been good but could making the jump up 10-12lbs in draw weight have anything to do with it? Maybe my form is suffering because i made the jump in one shot?

RE: Ouch! Why am I hitting my arm so much!
 

Whats your wing span? Will be able to tell ya if your draw is wrong then. WCL

RE: Ouch! Why am I hitting my arm so much!
 

What would be very helpful is if you could get a picture of yourself at full draw (with and arrow nocked). Try to get one that includes your feet as well. This will help determine if it is your form, your draw length, or a combination.

RE: Ouch! Why am I hitting my arm so much!
 

Certainly, jumping this much weight at once can cause some issues, not to exclude over-torquing and gripping, which may get you locking your arm out to make sure you get the bow back. Once it's locked, it's in danger. As was said though, post a pic of you at full draw, and more answers may be on the way. I personally don't like "loops" because I feel like I'm potentially going to bust it. Seen a guy knock some teeth loose once that way, made up my mind in a HURRY!!

RE: Ouch! Why am I hitting my arm so much!
 

I've got a Bear TRX - and I know for a fact the draw length is NOT too long ;)-that's a wrist stinger when it's backed off to 65 lbs. It's not bad when it's cranked down to 70. At 6 3/4" brace, I just don't think there's enough tension on the string to limit the forward string travel on the shot.It'd probably be a good candidate for one of those string suppressor doodads. Not saying that's the issue with yours, but I'm pretty sure that's what's going on with mine.

Actually, my bow came with a string suppressor type thing that had the stopper combined with the cable slide. Wierd deal! I replaced it with a standard cable slide at once. Maybe I should investigate that thing a little more.

Don't worry about the loop.Simply use good quality loop material,keep it waxed, run a Q-tip or cotton ball over and around the jaws on your release every so oftento make sure you don't have any damage or burrs, replace the loop about once a year - your major pre-hunting seasontune up and sight in is the perfect time to do it -and you'll never break one.

The only people that break them are the ones who try to push them long after they should have been replaced. The only people that have the knots come undone are the ones who screwed up tying them in the first place. Loops are perfectly safe to use.

RE: Ouch! Why am I hitting my arm so much!
 

Arthur P.. I too have a TRX and find myself getting slapped at times. Mine came with the string suppressor and I too took it off. I've wondered if itwas the bow or me. Seeing your post, maybe its not all me.

RE: Ouch! Why am I hitting my arm so much!
 

Thanks for the advice guys! I'll set the camera up tomorrow and post the form....maybe i don't want to see the results :)

The bow came at 70lbs and I cranked it down to 66lbs. It said 60-70lb draw weight so I didn't think it would matter but after Arthurs post, maybe that has something to do with it.

I have a feeling I'm locking my arm that holds the bow too due to the increased draw weight. I didn't realize it until it was mentioned and now I'm visualizing it in my head and I'm pretty sure I push out with the left arm as I draw back with the right until the left locks. I'll give it the tests and photos tomorrow and post what I come up with. Thanks to everyone for the help so far

RE: Ouch! Why am I hitting my arm so much!
 

first make sure your form is alright then put on a STS

RE: Ouch! Why am I hitting my arm so much!
 

I also had a thought come to mind that someone else didn't mention, I think...

You mention you bought a new Bear, and that you're now shooting a loop... By chance, is this the loop that came "factory" with the bow? The reason I ask is they're loops look absolutely horrible to me. I don't mean this as a slam on their bows; I'm sure they're great in all respects. But I've seen first-hand the loops on at least 10 different models of their bows, and they're all tied where the loop is 3/4 of an inch to a full inch long... That's going to adversely affect your anchor point and form if you keep the draw length the same as when you shot off the string.

RE: Ouch! Why am I hitting my arm so much!
 

Hey Greg,

Wow, never thought of that. I just measured my loop, from string to the part of the loop that my release would touch and its just short of 7/8". I never shot a loop before and this is my first and yes it is the one that came "factory" with the bow. Stupid me assumed all loops would be the same. I wasn't a fan of the loop as it was but I figured it was the "in" thing and since it came with the bow I could just get used to it. I'm going to take the loop off tomorrow and shoot a few arrows and see what happens. I'll post the results or the entertaining pictures of the inside of my wrist :)

RE: Ouch! Why am I hitting my arm so much!
 

If you ever DO decide you want to start shooting a loop (there are many inherent advantages for doing so...), you may want to take a look at this thread to learn how to tie one on correctly ;)

http://www.huntingnet.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=2185934

RE: Ouch! Why am I hitting my arm so much!
 

I was slapping my arm at first when i got my Bear Truth. My grip was the same as what worked on my old bow but i just figured the design of the handle or something was causing it to hit my arm. The quick fix was just making sure i rolled my wrist out when i held the bow, so instead of your elbow pointing straight down when you put your bow hand out it should be pointed kind of to your left and it moves your whole arm away from the path of the string...get what i'm saying?

RE: Ouch! Why am I hitting my arm so much!
 

Absolutely your string loop can effect your draw lenght. Itsounds as if itsa bit too long. Youve added to the length of what you are pulling by at least 1/4-1/2 inch give or take. I know PSE and Bear make different grips as well, you could be torqing your bow just a bit as well.

RE: Ouch! Why am I hitting my arm so much!
 

Increased weight can also make you roll your bow shoulder, elbow and wrist, all this puts you inside the string path and BAM, OUCH. Make sure you get the bow out of the palm of your hand and don't torque it over.

RE: Ouch! Why am I hitting my arm so much!
 

Yep, shorten the draw length.

Darrall