Dusting off my bow...

[markyj987]

So...for years and years I've been telling myself I'm actually going to take my TRX out and hunt with it. The problem with that kind of procrastination is that it turned into this:

It's been sitting in the case, untouched for 2.5 years. :jaw:

This leaves me with a couple questions:

What should I do to make sure it can be safely shot after just sitting so long? Should it be okay or should I take it to a shop? It's been in a safe place and hasn't been dinged around.

Secondly, I had shoulder surgery in August (arthroscopic subacromial decompression and clavicle excision) and no restrictions but definitely pay for it pain-wise after overuse. So as to not torture myself, I need to drop the draw weight down. Any thoughts on exactly how low I can go and still be well-within recommended ke requirements for whitetails? I would expect to use 100-gr broadheads since that's the weight I've always used.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated

[mikebohio]

take the bow to your local archery shop to have the draw weight reduced. they will be able to give it a good once over for you while its there. your state minimum draw weight is really low at 30lbs. i dont think your bow will even turn down that low.

[markyj987]

Thanks, mike. I think I have it set at 68# right now and the TRX goes from 40-70# I should be comfortable at 50-55# which should be fine from a ke standpoint but would like some reassurance from the gurus here...lol.

The follow-up is with the lower weight, should I look at a heavier broadhead? I would think I'm still okay with 100-gr but am open to suggestions.

[dbHunterNY]

i'd take it to a shop just in case. if it's all good, they should hand it right back free of charge and say you're good to go. i didn't think that bow had that much weight adjustment. anyway with 100gr muzzy heads my cousin has taken deer with his youth bow set at 50lbs. the last one i was surprised he made a frontal shot. in low on the neck through the chest and out to the side behind the liver. i've heard of some killing deer with less, but i would try to stay with 50 even if you can. 100 gr heads as i said should be fine. if you're concerned more about penetration get a true cut-on contact head like Magnus Snuffer SS, G5 Montecs, Magnus Stinger Buzzcut, or Muzzy Phantom. keep your shots under 30 yards.

Edited October 21, 2011 by dbHunterNY

[Turkeygirl]

I shoot 100 grains out of my elite at 53 pounds...fly just fine...just haven't put one in a deer yet this year. Good luck to ya, glad to see ya here!

[wyohunter]

hey marky....glad you are back to plinking your bow....start off light, say 50 pounds, if you can pull more after the season work your way up .....you'll do fine at 50 pounds so fear not.... most of all, have fun and good luck

[markyj987]

Whew...good thing I took it in. They fixed the dry-rotted peep sight string dealio, and found a few screws loose (insert joke here) and one missing from the draw length adjustment. They fixed it up for a few bucks only and dropped it down to 51 lbs. Glad they did it for me because torquing my shoulder is the most painful thing to do!

They took care of me like I bought the bow just yesterday. Took a few shots at 51 lbs and had some okay groups, but definitely not hunt-ready yet! Of course, I left my release and wrenches at home so I couldn't make any sight adjustments either.

[Stinger-Hunter]

If you can't comfortably pull it back in practice at 50lbs, I would not risk it in cold weather, even if it goes to 45#s. The cold weather does a body bad as far as I'm concerned - not to mention having the muscles cold as well. It is one thing to feel pretty good after 5 or 10 shots, but you'll be sitting there for at least an hour (if you're lucky) 2-4 hours if you aren't lucky.... Take it to 50#s and practice with it a bunch - if you feel ok with it, then I say you're good-to-go.