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?

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.

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.

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 .

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.