If your hunting set-up has good balance ,no handshock,and apparently shoots good(I've only shot in the backyard a little) without a stabilizer...Is there any need for one ?

I had the same dilemna with my Legacy. It balanced fairly well (was only slightly top-heavy) and didn't have any noticeable noise or hand shock, but I went ahead and got a 6" hunter model stab from Stealth just to make sure, thinking I could always show it off at the range and sell it if I wanted to later. The extra weight up front has helped the balance some (a bit bottom-heavy now, which is better than top, I guess) and has steadied my shot a bit, too. Overall, I'm pretty happy that I got the stab, but I'm not sure I would leave it on the bow if I were going on very long hikes in rough terrain every day for several days just because it adds extra weight.

There's several advantages to a stabilizer, but also some disadvantages. The biggest advantage for most hunters is the bow will balance better, and some with some bows it'll help take some of the recoil or handshock out. While the longer target type stabilizers help with left and rights the common short stabilizer really isn't a lot of help with that. Weight is the biggest downside and the fact that they get hung up once in awhile.

I figure if you can take your bow and hold it in your hand and its evenlly wieght out then you have no reason to put some stabalizer on. might be a good idea to put a little one on like a gel one that take the hand vibration out. happy hunting.

the only reason I have a solid 3 inch stab is because I like a braided strap to keep my bow from flying away after the shot. My G2 shoots well with out, but I shoot better if I hold my bow hand open and I dont want to think about grabbing the handle after the shot which makes me flinch and miss

Evan
Archery Accessories
301-872-0110

IMO, there are no disadvantages of shooting without a stablilizer, for hunting. If adding that to your bow, dramatically increases your abilitly to make a shot at 30 yds and under, you've got bigger problems.
If you are shooting competition, that's a different story.

Jevan, why not lose the stab(and extra weight) and use a bolt to hold your sling on <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

Edited by - WV Hunter on 02/07/2003 09:58:54

Thanks! My new bow(Mathews LX) is going to be 1/2 # heavier than the last two bows that I've owned,so I'm trying to think of ways to keep it about the same as my current set up.

I tend to agree with WV hunter....I shoot a 12 inch stab on my Mighty Mite for the the league, but I'll put just a bolt or a nub to hold my wrist sling on for hunting. It DOES make a difference for the leagues for me though. I have a hard time holding the shorties on a dime without the stab.

Trushot }}------>