I've heard that a bow performs at its best when at full poundage. How can I increse the pounds that i'm pulling without getting wobbly when i have to hold at full draw for a while, or with out massive body movements that alert the game ?

quote:

Originally posted by F.C.Selous Stu:
I've heard that a bow performs at its best when at full poundage

Not sure I agree with that statement but...

I have heard from the proshop to start low and add 1/4 turn of the limb bolts per week with daily shooting. You should eventually be able to get comfortable at the bow's peek weight. Then practice holding the bow at full draw and counting while still shooting accurate. It will get easier and easier until you will eventually have no problems with the weight.

Carey

Practice. Shoot often, but not long as you increase the poundage or you may injure a shoulder muscle. Shoot a bit each day if you can. You will suprise yourself how much you will be pulling in a month or so..

FC I can relate to your question. I bought a used Matthews Switchback (60#) bow. When I got it it was set at 50 and I used it that way for a while. Then I decided that the bow should operate optimally at the design weight. I did not rush. I did at first, pulled a muscle, and then was out of it for a while! In the end I took about a year to go from 50-60, in 3 increments. I am sure you could do it quicker, but I was in no rush and concentrated on shooting slower, shooting good groups, and shooting about 30 arrows each time I went to the range. I am now at 60#, sights adjusted, a new set of arrows and shooting fairly good groups at 50 yards. My limiting factor is now my left arm (I am right handed)!
Peter.

FC,

Have a look at this

http://www.bowhuntingforum.co.za/

quote:

Originally posted by F.C.Selous Stu:
I've heard that a bow performs at its best when at full poundage. How can I increse the pounds that i'm pulling without getting wobbly when i have to hold at full draw for a while, or with out massive body movements that alert the game ?

I too have been told that bows perform better at the upper end of the poundage range, so that's where I keep my bows set.

The ONLY way you're going to be able to draw smoothly and hold for longer periods of time without being wobbly is to increase your muscle strength.

Drawing and holding your bow utilizes muscles that aren't normally exercised much, so the only way you're going to draw smoother and hold longer is to shoot often.

Like DAL suggested, it doesn't take a lot of shooting, but each time you shoot, hold your shot longer and attempt to slowly and smoothly draw the bow.

The more you shoot, the easier it will be.

thanks fella's. I'm also pumping some iron in the gym which should help a bit.

quote:

Originally posted by F.C.Selous Stu:
thanks fella's. I'm also pumping some iron in the gym which should help a bit.

The problem with working out at the gym, is that few of the workout routines utilize the same muscles that drawing a bow does.

I've seen some VERY well muscled guys that struggled to pull my 85 lb. bow, while puny little me held it out and straight pulled the bow back to full draw.

If you can find an exercise routine that duplicates the drawing cycle, gym work will certainly help, but there's still no replacement for standing there and flinging arrows.

Well......I think that upper body work in the gym will help quite a bit, then the range work tweaks the smaller muscles and groups.
Do both!

I had the same experience as Peter...

In about a year, I went from a complete novice @ around 50# to a full 70#, but have since backed back down a bit. 68# seems about right for me, and more than enough for whitetail.

I treated the whole thing like weights. Do three sets with n-reps; going to failure on the last set. Concentrate on good form. As an added hurdle I make myself do one set while seated. When you can do three sets of a dozen arrows, time to notch up the weight.

I too pulled something along the way, had to take a break for a while.

Also, there's a bunch of difference between bows. Some have a much easier/smoother draw than others. If you haven't tried a bunch of different bows, the difference is amazing.

-nosualc