I have a problem. About 3 years ago I hurt my shoulder with a heavy-for-me bow (about 63#). I've been trying different shooting options to save my shoulder (rifle, crossbow, compound, reducing my weight, etc.) and don't really like the options. The crossbow has worked well, but it's heavy and loud. The modern compound bow (IMO)has gotten away from the history of archery. I had to reduce my recurve to 40# and I still hurt when I shoot more than about 20 shots at a time. I thought that setupis way too marginal for elk (my primary hunting target). I came up with a possible solution. My goal was to try to use something that could've been used a hundred years ago (in keeping with the history of archery) and still have the power for elk. I still don't know if I can use this for hunting the regular rifle season here in Colorado, but I've sent the question to Co. DOW so we'll see what they say. I know similarcommercial products are made for compound bows, but I wanted to try to make something myself. It's stickbow quiet, easier to draw than a crossbow and coulda been made a long time ago.

Here's a picture of it drawn.

...and ready to shoot

So...Whataya guys think? This has been the option that for me has felt the most like traditional archery and doesn't hurt my shoulder. It's quiet and is about 3# lighter to carry than my crossbow. FYI- this is an old Ben Pearson bow (I guess I said 100 years ago...it's not quite that old)- about 60# @ 29.5" (the length I have it when it's cocked). I would use it during the rifle season (providing the DOW is OK with it).

Very creative. Does it not harm the bow to leave it at full draw for extended periods?

You obviously have a love for trad archery and I think its great that you are doing whatever you can to keep shooting.

I don't know if it would harm the bow to keep it at full draw. I was going to try to time it so I would draw within a few minutes of shooting, but...I just got an e-mail from the DOW and they will not allow me to use it for hunting big game in Colorado. So, it's now just a fun toy to shoot with every once in a while.

Do you have a "handicap permit" allowing you to use a crossbow during the archery season?? I know a buddy of mine has one here due to a back injury. I don't see the difference between your device and a crossbow.

If you guys have special permits and you can attain one, I'd argue that your bow should be acceptable.

I don't have a handicap permit. I haven't really checked into what it takes to get one here in Colorado. I'm hoping that this "condition" will clear up so that I will be unhandicapped in a year or so, but if not, I may look into it.