Hey guys.
I bought a PSE Brute Force new, back in 2002. I shot it for that deer season, then I didn't touch it again for some reason untill 2006, I shot a few tournaments but that was it. and it has been sitting in a hard case in the garage since... here in canada it gets pretty cold in the winter. It's not my choice to keep it in the garage, but I'm not home since I'm in the military and it seems all of my stuff ends up in the garage even tho I ask it not be put there.
Will it sitting there, with the cables still on it with the cold temperatures cause any structural issues? I haven't been around enough to play with it since I'm in the middle of training and have no time with my motocross racing in the summer. However, I'm itchin to get back doing the things I miss and I want to shoot this bow competitively and for hunting again. What should I look for when I get it out in the spring? I'll try and sneak it back in the house this christmas and hide it in my military gear so she won't find it lol.
I've also heard one story of a bow "exploding" when I was a kid and man, it goes through my mind when I'm at draw, ready to release and I flinch sometimes and I'm not sure if its even possible! I shoot C-6 machine guns (50 cal for you americans) and it doesn't bother me at all and I am one of the top shots in all of my courses with the c-7 (m-14 for americans) so I am not typically a flincher.

IMO, I wouldn't trust the strings or cables. Be safe than sorry and have those replaced.

I know a guy who had a Bear Kodiak (50 lb. recurve) sitting in a closet, strung, since the early 70's; and shot it without incident last year. But these compounds are harder on string and cables. For what a small investement it would be to get them replaced, I agree with doegirl - getnew onesbefore shooting it. Gibblet on this site would be a good source.

Wax the string and go hunting, There is no doubt that thing is fine unless there is visible flaws in the string or cables. I pulled a late 80,s compound out of the rafters a couple years ago and shot it many times.

Change the string and cables if for no other reason, for your peace of mind. You're already thinking about your bow blowing up when you're shootingso new rigging will help your confidence.

I gave my son a hoyt once and he didn't shoot it for about three year. He was in his living room one night and heard a this loud noise and found out the bow strings broke on the bow in his closet. I would change your strings and buss cables.

Wow. I was going to say back the poundage down as far as it would go and work up from there but...

A few bucks for a check-out at the local pro-shop vs. possible trip to the emergency room...hmmm, I vote for the check-out at the pro-shop.