JWhite

I need help. How long should I be able to hold my bow while aiming before I get front arm "fade"? How long have you had to hold on a deer that say looked up at you?
I have a Patriot which to me is very heavy. I am unable to hold my front/bow arm for long <10-15 seconds before it starts to get weak. This is despite alot of practice. I get to where I punch the shot trying to get the shot off prior to the fade.

Do I need to get a lighter bow or just practice more? A lighter bow will "bounce around more" but I won't get the arm fade...I guess. HELP!!!!!!!!

jetblast

10-15 seconds isn't very long. Make sure the draw weight isn't too high and the draw length isn't too long or short. Is your cam at 65 or closer to 80% letoff?

BGfisher

I would try a combination of lower peak weight and less letoff. A little higher holding weight lends itself to more stability at full draw. With a high letoff bow there is often not enough holding weight to overcome the weight of the bow so you have to physically hold the bow up which tires out the bow arm. Another way to accomplish this is, if you have a solid back wall, to shorten the draw slightly so that you pull into the wall a little harder, thus making you use more back muscles instead of arm and shoulders to shoot the bow.

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MJL927

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote<font size=1 face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>How long can you hold it???<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' size=2 id=quote>

Not very long at all. That's why I usually go right off my treestand. It's tough trying to free yourself from all those layers of clothes. BTW, Studies have shown that deer do not react negatively to the smell.

Oh, wait...you mean my bow??

<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

-Mike

Strut&Rut

You should be able to hold it steady for at least 1 minute---be prepared for up to 5. Learn and practice to let your bow down as slow as possible. Even if deer look at you, it's usually only for a brief amount of time---30 seconds to 1 minute. After that let the bow down, relax, and redraw when the shot opens up.

If your season opens soon, invest in a bow holster, one you can strap around your thigh or waist. Then if you have to hold for long periods of time, you can set the bow down in the holster, relieving much of the weight.

S&R

JWhite

I draw at 51# and draw length is okay. The reason for the low DW is that I hurt my shoulders/got rehab and I think that is one reason why the bow is heavy for me (that and the fact that I'm just a wee man Any more weight = pain.
BTW, the bow is outfitted with fairly lightweight accessories also so noe help there.

THANKS...

JWhite

80% letoff

cyclone

Get that shoulder back in shape with your rehab and add some lifting to strengthen those back muscles...work up towards 15 to 20 seconds holds..Gotta go gradual.

Glad to hear that you are just a &quot;wee&quot; man as opposed to a &quot;wee-wee&quot; man.<img src=icon_smile_clown.gif border=0 align=middle>

stealthycat

rifle/shotgun/crossbow - all day

compound - probably for 2 minutes, maybe longer. I never shot near my peak weight though, always around 60 pound

longbow/recurve - about 6-10 seconds and then I get too shaky to shoot straight holding the full weight of the bow. Whole different ballgame guys.


JWhite - I wouldn't worry about it. Draw your bow smartly, when the game is close and the shot is ready. You'll be fine, and you'll continue to get stronger through practice. The comment on drawing, holding for as long as you can , then bearing down, focusing and making the shot is excellent practice IMO

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