I'm just curious when other members know when they are "overbowed " and its time to drop down in bow weight.
Not being able to hit the target?
If you are snapshooter, and NOT holding the bow back at full draw, are you able to get away with more bow weight?
If you are an archer that holds at full draw, is it the amount of time that you would like to hold back a full draw but shake to much?
For me pain was a good indicator.
I could still shoot bows over 60# but my bow hand just can't take the presure.
Also shooting a bow is accumulative, the damage can occur over time and then it's too late.
Quote from: Graps on March 27, 2019, 12:40:29 PM
For me pain was a good indicator.
I could still shoot bows over 60# but my bow hand just can't take the presure.
Also shooting a bow is accumulative, the damage can occur over time and then it's too late.
That's interesting, what bow weight are you shooting now? I have my bows at 59 pounds, I am considering going down to 50/51 pounds while I advance in my older age. I would personally rather drop down in bow weight, knowing that that bow weight is good for anything I want to hunt in North America
Quote from: frassettor on March 27, 2019, 12:27:02 PM
If you are snapshooter, and NOT holding the bow back at full draw, are you able to get away with more bow weight?
If you are an archer that holds at full draw, is it the amount of time that you would like to hold back a full draw but shake to much?
I don't really understand your first comment above. Why would you not want to hold the bow at full draw? I think the inability to hold a bow comfortably at full draw is a good indication of being overbowed, whether a person is snap shooting or not. The hold time for a snap shooter may be very short, but there should still be an instant when the bow is held at full draw.
I think the second comment is accurate. You should be able to hold comfortably at full draw for as long as you want to. If you can't, it is a good indication you are overbowed. Probably a snap shooter who only holds momentarily at full draw can pull a few more pounds comfortably at full draw than a person who holds for a longer time at full draw. A person who holds for 2 seconds can probably pull a few more pounds comfortably than a person who holds for 4 seconds, etc.
Injuries are a whole other ball game. People who learn to draw correctly can avoid injuries more than a person who doesn't. However, some people are more prone to getting injuries from shooting the bow than others, and by the time they know that it is too late to completely repair the problem. My advice is to shoot the minimum weight bow you need to get the job done. I know a lot of people don't like that advice, and they are welcome to their opinions; some of them may be in the group that will never have a heart attack, cancer, or shoulder problems. This is something that is difficult to predict in advance, or, as Dirty Harry said, "Do you feel lucky today, punk?"
Quote from: McDave on March 27, 2019, 01:52:14 PM
Quote from: frassettor on March 27, 2019, 12:27:02 PM
If you are snapshooter, and NOT holding the bow back at full draw, are you able to get away with more bow weight?
If you are an archer that holds at full draw, is it the amount of time that you would like to hold back a full draw but shake to much?
I don't really understand your first comment above. Why would you not want to hold the bow at full draw? I think the inability to hold a bow comfortably at full draw is a good indication of being overbowed, whether a person is snap shooting or not. The hold time for a snap shooter may be very short, but there should still be an instant when the bow is held at full draw.
I think the second comment is accurate. You should be able to hold comfortably at full draw for as long as you want to. If you can't, it is a good indication you are overbowed. Probably a snap shooter who only holds momentarily at full draw can pull a few more pounds comfortably at full draw than a person who holds for a longer time at full draw. A person who holds for 2 seconds can probably pull a few more pounds comfortably than a person who holds for 4 seconds, etc.
Injuries are a whole other ball game. People who learn to draw correctly can avoid injuries more than a person who doesn't. However, some people are more prone to getting injuries from shooting the bow than others, and by the time they know that it is too late to completely repair the problem. My advice is to shoot the minimum weight bow you need to get the job done. I know a lot of people don't like that advice, and they are welcome to their opinions; some of them may be in the group that will never have a heart attack, cancer, or shoulder problems. This is something that is difficult to predict in advance, or, as Dirty Harry said, "Do you feel lucky today, punk?"
To answer your first question, when I say snapshooter, I mean someone that holds possibly a quarter to a half a second . More of a one fluid motion, but still reaches full draw .
Makes sense. I found it kind of a difficult concept to express myself. Now that I understand what you meant, I think it's reasonable that a snapshooter should be able to hold a few more pounds than a person who draws and holds. The key would be whatever a person feels comfortable with.
I shoot nothing over 45# for the past 4 years. And I get pass threw so why do I need more?
If you can get to full draw and shoot yourself in the foot, you are not over bowed.
On a cold morning sitting for an hour or longer chilled can you still reach full draw and make a good shot?
Only you know the answer to that one.
Mostly, I know when I have great difficulty pulling it back and then shaking heavily when I do reach anchor. In short, when trying to shoot it ain't fun.
Quote from: McDave on March 27, 2019, 01:52:14 PM
Quote from: frassettor on March 27, 2019, 12:27:02 PM
If you are snapshooter, and NOT holding the bow back at full draw, are you able to get away with more bow weight?
If you are an archer that holds at full draw, is it the amount of time that you would like to hold back a full draw but shake to much?
I don't really understand your first comment above. Why would you not want to hold the bow at full draw? I think the inability to hold a bow comfortably at full draw is a good indication of being overbowed, whether a person is snap shooting or not. The hold time for a snap shooter may be very short, but there should still be an instant when the bow is held at full draw.
I think the second comment is accurate. You should be able to hold comfortably at full draw for as long as you want to. If you can't, it is a good indication you are overbowed. Probably a snap shooter who only holds momentarily at full draw can pull a few more pounds comfortably at full draw than a person who holds for a longer time at full draw. A person who holds for 2 seconds can probably pull a few more pounds comfortably than a person who holds for 4 seconds, etc.
Injuries are a whole other ball game. People who learn to draw correctly can avoid injuries more than a person who doesn't. However, some people are more prone to getting injuries from shooting the bow than others, and by the time they know that it is too late to completely repair the problem. My advice is to shoot the minimum weight bow you need to get the job done. I know a lot of people don't like that advice, and they are welcome to their opinions; some of them may be in the group that will never have a heart attack, cancer, or shoulder problems. This is something that is difficult to predict in advance, or, as Dirty Harry said, "Do you feel lucky today, punk?"
Dang I think you know me!
I've got shoulder issues. Lots of manual labor and playing ball until I was 48 didn't help. 3 heart incidents and 5 stents starting at 41.
However shoulder repairs got me back in the game and even the current tear up I have confidence he will repair effectively. So I will shoot and hunt and work until it all falls apart.
Can't take it with you.[emoji16]
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And I think if you can hold 10 seconds without shaking you aren't over bowed.
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My dad had a simple rule. If you can't hold full draw for 5 seconds without "shaking like a dog trying to poop a peach pit," you're overbowed.
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Quote from: Maddog20/20 on March 27, 2019, 09:51:53 PM
My dad had a simple rule. If you can't hold full draw for 5 seconds without "shaking like a dog trying to poop a peach pit," you're overbowed.
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Yeah that'll tell ya![emoji1787][emoji23]
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I release as soon as I reach anchor. Why would I need to hold for any amount of time to see if I'm overbowed if I don't hold at anchor anyway?
I'm a bit of a snap-shooter, but for my test I draw and hold for 3 seconds. As long as I can focus on the spot without my vision shaking a bit, then I consider that to be good. Also, my "overbowed" weight changes. When I'm able to shoot every day, my 62 pound bow feels like a toy. When I haven't been able to shoot for a long time, then 45 seems to be plenty for a couple of days.
If I can't reach anchor without farting a little bit, I know its time to back off on the draw weight.
Quote from: McDave on March 27, 2019, 01:52:14 PM
Quote from: frassettor on March 27, 2019, 12:27:02 PM
If you are snapshooter, and NOT holding the bow back at full draw, are you able to get away with more bow weight?
If you are an archer that holds at full draw, is it the amount of time that you would like to hold back a full draw but shake to much?
I don't really understand your first comment above. Why would you not want to hold the bow at full draw? I think the inability to hold a bow comfortably at full draw is a good indication of being overbowed, whether a person is snap shooting or not. The hold time for a snap shooter may be very short, but there should still be an instant when the bow is held at full draw.
I think the second comment is accurate. You should be able to hold comfortably at full draw for as long as you want to. If you can't, it is a good indication you are overbowed. Probably a snap shooter who only holds momentarily at full draw can pull a few more pounds comfortably at full draw than a person who holds for a longer time at full draw. A person who holds for 2 seconds can probably pull a few more pounds comfortably than a person who holds for 4 seconds, etc.
Injuries are a whole other ball game. People who learn to draw correctly can avoid injuries more than a person who doesn't. However, some people are more prone to getting injuries from shooting the bow than others, and by the time they know that it is too late to completely repair the problem. My advice is to shoot the minimum weight bow you need to get the job done. I know a lot of people don't like that advice, and they are welcome to their opinions; some of them may be in the group that will never have a heart attack, cancer, or shoulder problems. This is something that is difficult to predict in advance, or, as Dirty Harry said, "Do you feel lucky today, punk?"
As long as I want to? No...
I was shooting 65# 15 years ago or so....then I went to 57#-60#....my new bows are all 50#. My indicator is when I am shooting in a league. I can still shoot a pretty heavy bow a few times, and pretty well. But after 40 50 arrows in a league, if my form starts to fall off, I'm overbowed.
I used to say that I needed a heavier bow because my release was sloppy. I chose to fix that.
Quote from: Roger Norris on March 28, 2019, 02:55:12 PM
Quote from: McDave on March 27, 2019, 01:52:14 PM
Quote from: frassettor on March 27, 2019, 12:27:02 PM
If you are snapshooter, and NOT holding the bow back at full draw, are you able to get away with more bow weight?
If you are an archer that holds at full draw, is it the amount of time that you would like to hold back a full draw but shake to much?
I don't really understand your first comment above. Why would you not want to hold the bow at full draw? I think the inability to hold a bow comfortably at full draw is a good indication of being overbowed, whether a person is snap shooting or not. The hold time for a snap shooter may be very short, but there should still be an instant when the bow is held at full draw.
I think the second comment is accurate. You should be able to hold comfortably at full draw for as long as you want to. If you can't, it is a good indication you are overbowed. Probably a snap shooter who only holds momentarily at full draw can pull a few more pounds comfortably at full draw than a person who holds for a longer time at full draw. A person who holds for 2 seconds can probably pull a few more pounds comfortably than a person who holds for 4 seconds, etc.
Injuries are a whole other ball game. People who learn to draw correctly can avoid injuries more than a person who doesn't. However, some people are more prone to getting injuries from shooting the bow than others, and by the time they know that it is too late to completely repair the problem. My advice is to shoot the minimum weight bow you need to get the job done. I know a lot of people don't like that advice, and they are welcome to their opinions; some of them may be in the group that will never have a heart attack, cancer, or shoulder problems. This is something that is difficult to predict in advance, or, as Dirty Harry said, "Do you feel lucky today, punk?"
As long as I want to? No...
I was shooting 65# 15 years ago or so....then I went to 57#-60#....my new bows are all 50#. My indicator is when I am shooting in a league. I can still shoot a pretty heavy bow a few times, and pretty well. But after 40 50 arrows in a league, if my form starts to fall off, I'm overbowed.
I used to say that I needed a heavier bow because my release was sloppy. I chose to fix that.
I think this is a good point. It depends on your shooting. There's a vast difference between shooting 50 arrows in a league and 1-2 arrows hunting.
I shoot 50# in my league, but truth be told, I could probably EASILY shoot 65# for hunting purposes.
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Quote from: Tooner on March 28, 2019, 02:34:07 PM
If I can't reach anchor without farting a little bit, I know its time to back off on the draw weight.
Solid advice.[emoji1787]
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Quote from: GCook on March 28, 2019, 08:12:03 PM
Quote from: Tooner on March 28, 2019, 02:34:07 PM
If I can't reach anchor without farting a little bit, I know its time to back off on the draw weight.
Solid advice.[emoji1787]
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I would hope it's air and NOT solid...
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Yes, I agree, it's not just being able to hold comfortably for the amount of time you want to hold, it's that plus being able to do it for the number of times you want to shoot.
Quote from: frassettor on March 27, 2019, 12:27:02 PM
I'm just curious when other members know when they are "overbowed " and its time to drop down in bow weight.
Not being able to hit the target?
If you are snapshooter, and NOT holding the bow back at full draw, are you able to get away with more bow weight?
If you are an archer that holds at full draw, is it the amount of time that you would like to hold back a full draw but shake to much?
My answer to this question and I know MANY will disagree -- THAT'S OK!! If you cannot move your bones into alignment under the stress of the bow, you are over bowed. Archery is a MOVEMENT sport (not a strength sport) and If you can't move or have restricted movement under the stress of the bow and cannot achieve good bone alignment you are over bowed! Shaking, IMO, is NOT a good indicator, nor is the ability to see how long you can hold at full draw. Those are muscle strength indicators, NOT alignment indicators. An archer MAY shake a little during the draw that is using muscles, but can that archer achieve bone alignment and find that muscles can actually be relaxed at full draw without the shake?? Line up the bones correctly and you can hold all day (or nearly) without a shake. So how much bow weight prevents you from finding the bone alignment??
Arne
I shoot 65 lbs in both NFAA indoor 300 rounds and for 3D. As I get older I do need to shoot a lot to keep from suffering from fatigue. I try to shoot 100+ arrows a day.
What moebow said. :thumbsup:
I shot 60 to 65 until my alignment suffered. Something about getting older that brings things to the surface you never thought would bother you. I dropped weight to 50 on my longbows and 45 to my recurve and shoot much better now.
I am with blackmail Bob, if I can not get to full draw after sitting in a stand in single digit temps for a couple of hours it's time. What I can shoot in the yard or basement when I am warm and loose doesn't really matter
When you don't want to shoot and when you do it isn't enjoyable.
when shoting is no longer one smooth and fluid motion, from the draw to the anchor,the relase and follow thur, your probley over bowed.
Naw Naw Naw Dave.....An anchor point is not a destination ...but an evolution to execution...
Rod Jenkins told me we both anchor the same, i.e. never stop pulling , but I just do it faster.
If you can't get to full extension with ease and/or having to struggle to do so, then your overbo'd. Proper alignment must be achieved without hindrance.
Quote from: Graps on March 27, 2019, 06:07:41 PM
I shoot nothing over 45# for the past 4 years. And I get pass threw so why do I need more?
Because you're not hunting what I'm hunting ...that's why. :biglaugh:
Richard.....if you are having to ask...then that's a good sign you are.
I haven't shot a bow since Texas in February..... I just went out And shot several great shots for the midnight arrow thread at 60 pounds.... No problem.
However I would have been overbo'd with my 70 pound bow at this point in time.....
But I will no doubt be back in the woods this September chasing black bears and mountain hogs with my 70 pound bows.
I have to stay pretty regularly active shooting to shoot my 70 to 80 pound bows..... And I know that.... Therefore any other time of the year when I'm not active I'll grab a 60 or 65 pound bow.
That 45lb bow ain't getting a pass through on this big bugger.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190402/827f548e83775ed7eca9618fb82ebae8.jpg)
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I'd have to say if the bow weight even enters your mind during a shot, might wanna drop some weight .
I dropped down from 60 to 50 when I turned 74 ,I'll be 79 this year and still try to shoot everyday and comfortably. Why wait to go down in weight after you hurt yourself. Enjoy it while you can
As always, some really good thoughts here! I dropped down to 45lbs with the new bow, but having not been able to shoot over Winter (too busy skiing!!), I'm able to draw without any difficulty. I'm thinking though, that the ability to hold at full draw, or nearly so, without engaging the back muscles, should be able to be expanded by simply working out. We're talking about muscle power after all, right? Barring injuries, I would think this is simply a training issue for most. for discussion purposes, let's assume there's a clicker attached to your bow that will snap when the bow's at full draw. So when I'm talking about holding at full draw, the clicker hasn't snapped yet, but is almost ready to go. That make sense?
I can pull and shoot more weight if snap shooting. Drawing and holding at anchor for 2-3 seconds wears me down much faster.
There has been a huge influx of archers into traditional and I see them doing it right, shooting lighter poundage bows to start out. Many are teaching on the internet proper form and execution and that is excellent to see.