Buckslayer Posted December 27, 2006 Report Share Posted December 27, 2006 What would you guys say is the minimum brace height for hunting situations… to keep hunting clothes that are insulated/lofty from contacting the string? Would there be noticeable difference between 7 1/8” , 7 1/2” , and 7 3/4" ? Right now I’m shooting a 6 5/8” bow, where the string will contact my bare arm in a t-shirt if I’m not careful in the summer. I'm hoping to get something new soon. Thanks for your opinions/knowledge! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted December 27, 2006 Report Share Posted December 27, 2006 Re: Hunting Situation Brace Heights Sure someone will correct me if I am wrong, but I dont see where the brace height will make that much if any difference in whether or not you are getting string slap. Would be more inclined to think it would have to do with the shooters form. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest buckhunter87 Posted December 27, 2006 Report Share Posted December 27, 2006 Re: Hunting Situation Brace Heights Me neither, if you are getting slapped with your string, your form is off somehow. Maybe your forearm is tweeked in or maybe when you draw back your holding arm is completely locked straight. If so, this is not a good thing. You should be relaxed a little bit when you draw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckslayer Posted December 27, 2006 Author Report Share Posted December 27, 2006 Re: Hunting Situation Brace Heights It seems to be harder to steady my bow if I don't lock out my bow arm... I can bend my elbow but it feels less stable doing so... Maybe I should say this: With just a long sleeve shirt on or hoodie, I only get string slap once in maybe 40 shots (average shooting session). But with my insulated camo jacket, I get it much more often so I usually have to keep a camo sock top over that sleeve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckslayer Posted December 27, 2006 Author Report Share Posted December 27, 2006 Re: Hunting Situation Brace Heights Another possibility is that I taught myself poor form when I bought my first bow 9 years ago... Although I shoot between 2,000 and 3,000 shots per year so wouldn't it have been corrected by now? Both bows I've had have been set up by bowtech techs... and they measured my draw come to think of it. Thats probably why I assumed it was more of a brace height thing than a form or body mechanics problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Antony Posted December 27, 2006 Report Share Posted December 27, 2006 Re: Hunting Situation Brace Heights [ QUOTE ] Another possibility is that I taught myself poor form when I bought my first bow 9 years ago... Although I shoot between 2,000 and 3,000 shots per year so wouldn't it have been corrected by now? Both bows I've had have been set up by bowtech techs... and they measured my draw come to think of it. Thats probably why I assumed it was more of a brace height thing than a form or body mechanics problem. [/ QUOTE ] Brace height should have no effect with string slap. It's all about your form. You want a slight bend in the arm like the others said. Try adjusting your draw length a bit shorter until you find what feels right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted December 27, 2006 Report Share Posted December 27, 2006 Re: Hunting Situation Brace Heights Think like Antony says here you are ending up with a longer draw from one bow to another making your elbow more straightened out. Dont think it has anything to do with the brace height. If you are concerned with holding down the bulky clothes, might check out the camoskinz sleeve from cabelas. They work really well at compressing your layers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrud Posted December 27, 2006 Report Share Posted December 27, 2006 Re: Hunting Situation Brace Heights [ QUOTE ] Would be more inclined to think it would have to do with the shooters form. [/ QUOTE ] You are absolutely correct. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckslayer Posted December 27, 2006 Author Report Share Posted December 27, 2006 Re: Hunting Situation Brace Heights Guys, is it going to matter if I bend my arm, because my string actually hittin my wrist, not my arm. I understand about hitting up near my elbow or forearm, but it strikes right on my wrist, I measured 2" up from the point where my hand meets my wrist. I can't stop it no matter how I bend my arm. Hearing what I first said, I would have went the same way you both did... thanks again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowin_in_illinois Posted December 27, 2006 Report Share Posted December 27, 2006 Re: Hunting Situation Brace Heights or throw an arm guard on over your layers to compress them. slappin your arm once every 40 or so shots doesn't sound like a chronic form problem to me. shooting in bulky clothing is always going to be different than shootin in the backyard in a t-shirt, and you just need to do something to keep the layers out of your way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randyman Posted December 27, 2006 Report Share Posted December 27, 2006 Re: Hunting Situation Brace Heights I had the same problem with a short brace height bow and it ended up being poor form / too long draw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAstringking Posted December 27, 2006 Report Share Posted December 27, 2006 Re: Hunting Situation Brace Heights i would say that your wrist could use a twist. this happened to me for a while and how i solved it was... grip your bow how you normally do then role your wrist out so its straight inline with your forearm not cocked at the wrist just do this for say 40 shots and see if it affects your shot or your wrist slap Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckslayer Posted December 27, 2006 Author Report Share Posted December 27, 2006 Re: Hunting Situation Brace Heights All this input has me seriously considering some stuff, keep it coming... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Washi Posted December 27, 2006 Report Share Posted December 27, 2006 Re: Hunting Situation Brace Heights Ya usually slapping your wrist is because of too long draw length or just cocking your wrist in too much. I have hunted with two different bows with a 6" brace height and didn't have trouble even with heavy winter clothes. An STS or similar device could help if it is just you bringing your wrist in too much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo Posted December 28, 2006 Report Share Posted December 28, 2006 Re: Hunting Situation Brace Heights Put an STS on your bow and switch to Tune A Nocks(only use those with a string loop). If you're hitting wrist it's a Brace Height issue not form. The tune a nocks don't carry the string as far forward and the STS really helps more than anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Antony Posted December 28, 2006 Report Share Posted December 28, 2006 Re: Hunting Situation Brace Heights [ QUOTE ] If you're hitting wrist it's a Brace Height issue not form. [/ QUOTE ] I don't know about that. A longer brace height would just slap his arm further up since his arm is straight. It's simply not proper form to have a straight arm and a locked elbow. I don't know about you guys, but as I sit here with my arm straight out in front of me, it gets tired a lot faster than with a bend. Go with a shorter draw. This will give you a smaller powerstroke (6 5/8" isn't necessarily a small brace height) and will make you more accurate since the bow will be more forgiving. You will lose speed; it really won't matter though. Shorter powerstroke and proper form - you should see lots of improvement in your accuracy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckslayer Posted December 28, 2006 Author Report Share Posted December 28, 2006 Re: Hunting Situation Brace Heights Thanks again, I'll try going down 1/2" this coming year! In the meantime, I'll focus on bending my arm a little. I can do it this way, so maybe my draw isn't too long, I've just trained myself the wrong way from the start. Everyone was really helpful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckslayer Posted December 28, 2006 Author Report Share Posted December 28, 2006 Re: Hunting Situation Brace Heights In case everyone was wondering, I can still group tennis ball size groups at 35yds... Its just that every so often this happens, and moreso with coats, which by the way I'm looking into the camoskinz sleeve! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbeck Posted December 28, 2006 Report Share Posted December 28, 2006 Re: Hunting Situation Brace Heights I agree with the form isue, but on the brace height question. I wouldn't hunt with anything much less than 7 1/2". I like the forgiveness of a much bigger brace height. I also try to keep the arrows at around 240 fps. I'd rather have a little wider gap with the pins to pick up the forgiveness of a heavy arrow. JMO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maytom Posted December 28, 2006 Report Share Posted December 28, 2006 Re: Hunting Situation Brace Heights [ QUOTE ] Sure someone will correct me if I am wrong, but I dont see where the brace height will make that much if any difference in whether or not you are getting string slap. Would be more inclined to think it would have to do with the shooters form. [/ QUOTE ] The shorter brace height bows always will be much tuffer to shoot clean VS a longer brace height bow. Mainly because the arrow will stay on the string longer with a shorter brace height bow, hence your form will come into play, but your hunting clothing will also come into play as well. It's the main reason I choose a bow with a brace height over 7" and even closer to 8". That extra length makes a world of difference, trust me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted December 28, 2006 Report Share Posted December 28, 2006 Re: Hunting Situation Brace Heights Antony has it partialy right. its all about shooting form and your grip in the bow. if you have to much grip, or a draw length to long then you will end up with your wrist or forearm to close to the string. which ends up being arm slap. a straight but relaxed arm is a must to use the bone to bone form to be able to hold steady. if your not using bone to bone form, then your sight picture could be a lot better if you did. the objective is to get the draw length and grip just right and then have a straight, but relaxed arm to support the bow. think of your arm as a 2X4 sticking straight out of your shoulder socket. by rotating the elbow slightly in you can achieve a straight, but relaxed bow arm that uses the bones in it to line up all the way from your grip to your shoulder socket. the bow shoulder should be in the low loceked pistion. DO NOT roll the bow shoulder up . heres an example of " T " form with the bow shoulder in the low locked position and a straight but relaxed bow arm. [image][/image] being a target shooter i learned a long time ago that you must have shooting form that is the same on each shot. having a straight, but relaxed bow arm is easily repeatable than a bow arm thats bent. as for the brace height a bow should be, i like one with as big a brace heinght i can get. both of my bows for hunting and target shooting have over 8 inches of brace height. but theres is no actuall brace height minimm. a shorter brace height will be faster and a little more critical to shoot. using a sock over clothes during cold weather will help to keep them out of the way of the bow string. Shoot Strong Tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted December 28, 2006 Report Share Posted December 28, 2006 Re: Hunting Situation Brace Heights Another thing that came to mind was how you are gripping the bows, are the two bows different in the grips as to how you are holding your wrist. Still dont think the shorter brace height is going to make you get more string slap if you are shooting with consistent form unless there is something else you are doing differently. I very rarely get any slap when shooting, but have noticed that when I do it is usually when I have shot too much or when I have been overly tired. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arrow32 Posted December 28, 2006 Report Share Posted December 28, 2006 Re: Hunting Situation Brace Heights I find when i am getting slapped with the string ive changed my grip on the bow. I have my first two fingers not tight around the grip but a little snug then the other two are just touching the grip. Once i starting getting slapped most the time im starting to get tired and am just squizzing the grip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckslayer Posted December 28, 2006 Author Report Share Posted December 28, 2006 Re: Hunting Situation Brace Heights [ QUOTE ] I find when i am getting slapped with the string ive changed my grip on the bow. I have my first two fingers not tight around the grip but a little snug then the other two are just touching the grip. Once i starting getting slapped most the time im starting to get tired and am just squizzing the grip. [/ QUOTE ] Ahah... This seems to be when it happens for me. As for form, my arm looks just like the guy in the photo above. I don't know if thats you or not Tony... Either way I have decided that I'm gonna assess my form this year, and if I can scrounge up the cash to buy a new bow, go with a larger brace height (I know it won't hurt). My bow right now is a Bowtech Ex VFT, and well, it is not the most forgiving creature for reasons some of us have stated above. I do seriously think my string wrist slap is due to hand placement on the grip. When I get tired I tend to rest more of my palm on the grip, and this is surely what's causing it towards the end of my shooting sessions. Now the issue with hunting clothes, every archer has to address, and I guess I just need more compression LOL (a tighter sock). I still have two weeks of archery left... not much in the way of chances at a buck, but who knows??? I'll try everyone's tips out. Thanks again for the time you all put into thinking about this one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted December 28, 2006 Report Share Posted December 28, 2006 Re: Hunting Situation Brace Heights [ QUOTE ] In case everyone was wondering, I can still group tennis ball size groups at 35yds... Its just that every so often this happens, and moreso with coats, which by the way I'm looking into the camoskinz sleeve! [/ QUOTE ] Here is a link to the same one I use camoskinz sleeve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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