Do you NEED a stabilizer?
 

Last year I did not use one. First year practicing consistently and bow hunting. I took two deer and felt I was right on most of the time when practicing. But I'm hearing more and more I NEED one to be more accurate. I thought it was a good idea if not for a little more balance, then the shock absortion. So I put on a limbsaver mini scoil. Seems to work fine. Bow is a little quieter but I was shooting a few inches lower for a couple of nights. I think it was just a mental thing as I am back on track now. Your thoughts on stabilizers?

RE: Do you NEED a stabilizer?
 

No, you don't need one. In fact the only reason some guys even use a stabilizer is to dampen the bow and reduce some noise. Personally, I use a 12oz stabilizer to add weight to the front of the bow. I like the added weight.

RE: Do you NEED a stabilizer?
 

I don't know with the new bows, but with the mid-80's Golden Eagle and the late 70's Ben Pearson I shoot now, the stabilizer makes a HUGE difference in the amount of hand shock and vibration in the bow. I don't have a big or an expensive, name-brand stabilizer, but I tried shooting without it before I put it on, and now I have absolutely no desire to shoot without it again.

RE: Do you NEED a stabilizer?
 

Need? no, recommend? yes.

You don't need anything on a bow, sights, stabilizer, rest etc...each has a purpose if you choose to use them, well you do need a string, limbs, riser but that's about it right? Pehaps an arrow...lol .

RE: Do you NEED a stabilizer?
 

I hunted without one for 5 years just fine.

I finally broke down and tried one to put some weight out front so the bow had better balance in my hand. I do shoot somewhat more accurately with the stabilizer, and that is simply because thesight pindoes not float on target as much while gaining a sight picture.

RE: Do you NEED a stabilizer?
 

Depends on the bow , bowtechs most popular risor patriot/liberty/allegience is natoriously top heavy and in my hand needs weight in the rear hole of the risor , a short stabilizer works well to balence .They allso work well at sound/vibration reduction . The older forward faceing limb design bows balenced great with a longer stabilizer on th front of the risor , allso the added weight helped with recoil/jump.

RE: Do you NEED a stabilizer?
 

I too use one for the balance issue. I feel the bow is better balanced in my hand and has less recoil after the shot with one.

RE: Do you NEED a stabilizer?
 

I shoot MUCH better with the added weight of a stabilizer, it also dampens shock and vibration greatly!

RE: Do you NEED a stabilizer?
 

I like one, but not the 12" or longer ones I see. My rig is a hunting rig. Use the stabilizer to balance your bow, maybe absorb some shock. If you really can't hit a deer at 30 yards without one, you need to practice. I see some guys looking like they are from star trek with 12" staiblizer and v-bars. They say they can't hold on the target without.

RE: Do you NEED a stabilizer?
 

My bow would kick a little (either rotate forward or backward) without mine. Now it barely moves after I release. I didn't need one either but after fixing the little kick I won't go back to archery without one. That's my opinion.

RE: Do you NEED a stabilizer?
 

Thanks for all the replies and advice guys. I ended up swapping in my mini scoil for a lore stabilizer which weighs about twice as much. Archery shop manager talked me into it today on my lunch break and I triee it out tonight. I can tell my bow is heavier and I am shooting about the same but I believe it is easier for me to aim/float the pin steadier so its a plus. Thanks again!

RE: Do you NEED a stabilizer?
 

I have one as well and have been thinking about getting the s-coil but theres really no point to upgrade. I guess it serves the purpose of holding the wrist sling on but I havent been using it lately either.

RE: Do you NEED a stabilizer?
 

My stabilizer it there because it looks cool. :D

Seriously though, it does give my bow a near perfect balance and it [probably[/i] helps to reduce noise. I say probably becuase I haven't tried shooting without it. ;)

RE: Do you NEED a stabilizer?
 

It was one of those things I never really thought about or paid any attention to until someone pointed it out. Everyone says to use one so I must have been the one that was crazy.:DI really appreciate this site. I got into bowhunting on my own, without any "in person" help from anyone other than the pro shop manager at Scheel's, a family-owned sporting goods store (but a very large family-owned outfit). He, and everyone on this board, have been extremely helpful in helping me learn a lot over these past two years. I've taken a lot of advice and experimented with different setups on the range to get comfortable. I really enjoyed the contest last year as my teammates provides a lot of insight - especially Antler Eater and Extreme1.

RE: Do you NEED a stabilizer?
 

Like many others, I use a weighted stabilizer to balance my bow. It's just 6oz and 5" long.I don't need one for noise since my bow is very quiet already.

RE: Do you NEED a stabilizer?
 

Beat me to it. That... and it holds my wrist sling in place.

RE: Do you NEED a stabilizer?
 

jsut for hand shock but my first year i didnt use one either

RE: Do you NEED a stabilizer?
 

I shoot better with it, I like the added weight.

RE: Do you NEED a stabilizer?
 

Some bows are balanced almost perfectly and you ca do without. You only need what you need...evrything has a purpose for your personal set up.

RE: Do you NEED a stabilizer?
 

Please check out the link in question.

http://www.huntingnet.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=1537097&mpage=1&key=stabilizing& amp;#1537097