Rubber Elevated Rests Don't Work So Hot At -5 Degrees...

NDTerminator · February 10, 2007, 08:48:00 AM

Been below zero up here the last 2 weeks and I found out that at about 5 below my elevated rests get stiff in just a few minutes. When that happens, goodbye arrow flight!

Unlikely I'm going to be hunting at these temps, but I suppose I should set up one bow to shoot off the shelf and feather fletch a few arrows... :D

SL · February 10, 2007, 08:59:00 AM

It's -5 and you went outside? Is there some kind of man law in effect there?
jk

I would get pretty stiff at -5 too!
It's 36 here in Boerne TX. Thats cold enough for me.
SL

recurver · February 10, 2007, 09:19:00 AM

ND Try the rest with 5 inch feathers. I think you will be OK. If I understand you are shooting vanes with the rest. The vanes and the rest is compounding the problem. I think it is more the vanes, than the rest.

Bryan

NDTerminator · February 10, 2007, 09:25:00 AM

Yep recurver, that's the plan for this afternoon...

SL, 4 or 5 below has been the day time high. It's been 20 below or more at sunrise...

James Wrenn · February 10, 2007, 09:29:00 AM

You are a lot tougher than I am. :D
I think you will have no problem with feathers off the rest.I imagine the vanes are getting a bit stiff in that cold but I hope to never find out first hand.

Anvil · February 10, 2007, 09:36:00 AM

I hear ya about the cold, the only fletching glue that I have found that holds up below zero is Duco. Otherwise when the arrow hits the target the fletch keep going. Also, too much wax on your string can be a problem.
Stay warm.

NDTerminator · February 10, 2007, 10:48:00 AM

Well, it's either put up with the cold to shoot outside or shoot 25' in the basement. That gets pretty boring...

Bill Carlsen · February 10, 2007, 01:32:00 PM

I think Recurver is right about the vanes/rest. I have no problems with the rest and feathers at any temp.

wifishkiller · February 10, 2007, 01:37:00 PM

I also think its the vanes not the rest.

Jerry Jeffer · February 10, 2007, 01:49:00 PM

I can tell ya from experience that vanes suck big time in the cold. I have one bow with a rest, and one I shoot off the shelf. With feathers, I never have trouble with either bow in any weather. It's been pretty dang cold here for the past 2 weeks too.

Jason R. Wesbrock · February 10, 2007, 02:38:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by NDTerminator:
Been below zero up here the last 2 weeks and I found out that at about 5 below my elevated rests get stiff in just a few minutes. When that happens, goodbye arrow flight!

Unlikely I'm going to be hunting at these temps, but I suppose I should set up one bow to shoot off the shelf and feather fletch a few arrows... :D

There are a lot more options wih respect to stick on rests other than the rubber variety. T-300, NAP Flipper II, etc.

Tuttu · February 10, 2007, 05:02:00 PM

Tuttu · February 10, 2007, 05:08:00 PM

Feathers will shoot of the rest at sub zero temps, but after a few shots, your feathers are going to shred off. I've had this happen to me numerous times hunting up here in arctic. I use vanes, and they work better than feathers. Best of luck, whatever you choose to do.
Chuck

DarkeGreen · February 10, 2007, 06:15:00 PM

I had a recurve that I put a flipper on. It had one very small metal wire sticking out. It had very little pressure applied via a light spring. It was unaffected by cold weather. It would even break to the back of the bow if something snagged it so it was almost like a drop away. You applied it to the bow the same way the rubber versions are mounted, a little double sided sticky pad.

Arrow4Christ · February 10, 2007, 06:19:00 PM

"What kind of vanes were you using? The Marco vanes are the most flexible I've seen."
Ditto. The AAE Elite vanes were actually more flexible for me (almost Jell-o like :D ), but I like the Marco vanes better, real tough

Lefty · February 10, 2007, 10:07:00 PM

Check out the Neet pro rest. One of my favorites.

NDTerminator · February 11, 2007, 05:24:00 AM

I'm using AAE Elite vanes.

Shot again yesterday afternoon when I got off duty. Temp around 5 degrees with -12 windchill.

Both feathers & vanes shot fine for about 10 minutes, then the problem set in with both. The arm on the rest had by that time gotten so stiff it barely flexed. After I took it in the house and let it warm up it became pliable again and good arrow flight returned. Clearly that is at least a contributing factor.

I had a T-300 on before this and had some issues with it when it got cold. Have a couple Flipper II's in the box, may try one of them with a felt pad this afternoon...