Ok fellas,

Let's hear what you think about a stabilizer on the bow and it's ultimate importance/performance. Understandibly it will take some vibration of your bow and balance it out, but...... There are sooooooo many different types out on the market. As long as you have one......does the length/style really matter all that much?? This may be a dumb question...I'm still a newbie of sorts to the bow hunting/hunting world. This question pertains to "hunting" bows. Not 3D.

Thanks

For my hunting rig I use a 11.5" Doinker Cabon Elite. The extra length of the stab causes the bow to hold steadier than with the 4" stab I was using before. While I am not going into the woods with a 35" stab on my bow like I do on my target rig, the concept is the same. Longer stab = steadier hold.

The vibration aspect to me is secondary to the extra stability in the hold. This is the reason they are called stabilizers and not vibration absorbers. Your need for the vibration removal is also a function of the bow you shoot. Some bows are pretty naturally dead in your hand, while some feel like a joy buzzer. If you have one of those bows that has quite a bit of vibe, then the vibration reduction capabilities of the stab can make your shooting that much more enjoyable, however that in itself will not effect the accuracy.

The best thing to do is go to your local shop and try a couple out.

Some of the better ones I have found are the Sims products, Doinkers, and Vibraflex Isolator. Others will have their personal favorites, however it really come down to a matter of preference.

IMO a stabilizer is not needed on a hunting bow at avg hunting distances (under 30yds). Yes..it may make your bow a little more stable, or take away some vibration...but for most hunters with the average bow, it does little more than add weight to your setup.

Stabilizers are improtant! Try shooting your setup without a stabilizer. Take note of the noise and/or vibration. Then try a couple of different length stabilizers. Ones such as the Doinker brand, or the Sims brand are easy to add either weight or length to if neccessary.

Good luck.

I know the common term is "stabilizer." Nevertheless, I never considered a hunting stabilizer to be anything but a component to help reduce post-shot vibration and to balance my bow. Because I shoot with a very loose and open grip, I add lead to my stabilizer and balance it as to cause my bow to slightly tilt forward after my shot.