Are you aiming for the birds?

[NorthJeff]

One of things that is critical when shooting a whitetail, especially a wiley old buck or mature doe, is of course to remain as still as possible when preparing and taking a shot...that's a no-brainer for any hunter and nothing new. BUT, I notice a lot of guys with high poundage bows, say 70, even 80#'s, having to point at the birds when they draw back. These "skydrawers" have to make a ton of movement to pull a bow back and it can certainly be that extra movement in the stand that spooks that buck of a life time. Most modern bows at 50#'s are overkill for whitetail, let alone 60#'s, or 70#s for that matter....how much is enough? I've personally gone through an entire competitive season shooting 300 arrows a week at 70#'s from January to September and it's very easy for me. Hurt my wrist, my neck, and probably did a little non-repairable damage to my shoulder, but nonetheless it was managable. Even shot 60 spots indoors with that set-up. But while 70#'s is great, I love to shoot in the low 60#'s and do so in full confidence that the only movement I am going to make while shooting a deer is my draw arm..straight back away from the deer and to my anchor point.

Everyone can handle a wide range of poundage..I personally don't care what someone shoots, but are there any "skydrawers" out there that might be better off lowering their draw weight?

Can we get a "I am a skydrawer and I'm over bowed by 10#'s"? :)

Not trying to offend anyone, just something else to discuss..nothing personal! ;)

[Adam Waszak]

I used to shoot 80 lbs and I loved it but then I bought a Mathews that only went to 70 lbs and I was worried but now I love it. I was so used to 80 that 70 seemed like nothing to me when I tried it out. No I am not a skydrawer by any means but I agree 55 pounds is probably more than adequate if you gave enough KE. My only thing I will never do is mechanicals

AW

[mich buckmaster]

I have also come down on poundage after getting my new HOYT!! :lol:

I used to sky bomb a little, but now a pull back about 64#s and am shooting plenty fast. I have killed quite a few deer with my new bow and I have shot the last three deer with mechanicals.

One thing I cant stress more and more, is that TOO many people draw their bows about an inch TOO LONG!!! I have mine set up 1/2 inch too short!!

[Thunderhead]

LOL Skydraws.........good friend of mine has been doing that for years..........can't tell'em anything, gave up trying.

Bad habits are hard to break.

[HoytKimberShimano]

This is probably the second biggest thing I see people doing besides having a draw that is too long.

This was mentioned in another post, but there is NO question that having a proper, short draw length makes drawing while sitting or other positions that much easier, consistent, and stable!

[Ack]

This is one of the reasons I ordered my new bow with 60 lb limbs instead of 70. Pulling a lower draw weight is also beneficial on those super cold mornings in November and also if you hunt the late season. Like mentioned above, a 50 or 60 lb bow these days is plenty for deer hunting.

[TnRidge]

I agree , if you can't sit on the ground with your feet out in front of you and draw straight back without raising your bowarm , you are drawing too much weight for hunting .

I like to be able to draw straight back while bending at the waist when I'm aiming at a deer .

[rzdrmh]

good post, NJ. i shoot a very comfortable 63 pounds, a weight that i can draw after sitting for hours in cold weather, and do so without squirming. i'm 6'4", measured for a 30" draw, and opted for a 29" draw.

the biggest reason for me is this:

i practice, practice, practice so that when the time comes, everything is automatic, without thinking. draw, anchor, spot, shoot. if my bow is too heavy - it breaks that routine. i'd begin to "think", a real no-no (imo) when trying to consistently kill deer.

and of course, there's the increased movement.

[wecker20]

I had a buddy that aimed for the birds and tweaked his head when he pulled back. I tried to break him from it but a habit is a habit. Gotta be able to pull that bow back with it level imo. I shoot around 63-65 lbs and have never struggled even in cold weather. I've been shooting since I could handle a bow and I've shot higher poundage but I don't see the need.

[Adam Waszak]

I know a guy who was short and shot an overdraw with 90 lbs. He did not skyshoot but that guy was pretty awesome with a bow. I don't know why he needed 90 lbs :yikes: but it worked for him never would for me.

AW

[deepwoods]

This is a great topic and I couldn't agree more. You see guys that use everything they got to just to get to full draw, how can they hold the bow steady? Not to mention all the excess movement required. People think the extra pundage somehow translates into more killing power. This is just not the case. Place your arrow in the kill zone.

I read this somewhere. "A slow hit is better than a fast miss!"

By the way I draw #63.

[NorthJeff]

I had a friend about 15 years ago that loved to shoot high poundage all summer. He was definately a "skydrawer". He'd shoot leagues, and practiced as much or more than I did, which was several hundred arrows a week. Well, one December day during a very cold spell of below zero temps it happend...he couldn't pull his bow back on a deer after a couple hour sit. I don't think he ever admitted that his bow was too high...but he lowered it the next year.

Someones comfort level maybe 55, another person's 65..maybe even 75..or maybe you are barely able to pull enough poundage to hunt so this post might not be for you, but being able to pull straight back without moving anything but your release arm is a good sign you are not overbowed. As most of you know, it doesn't get easier when drawing on a deer, especially with heavy clothes and cold temps.

[spk131]

I use to shoot 60 but last year i decided to lower that even further to 55. right now i can hold that bow all day, its great. I shoot a Fred Bear TRX.

[Erik]

I was taught to point the arrow towards the ground and draw coming upwards onto my target. If you point up and draw down onto your target it takes longer to aim. Not to mention the danger aspect. Especially for guys who use a release.
I shoot 65 lbs year round.

[Pigpen69]

I dont consider 70# high poundage. I have been shooting 70 for the whole 13-14 years Ive been hunting. The way i see it is the bow comes set at 70 from the factory and I have the option to lower it if I want to. I actually shoot 72 # and I have no problem drawing all yr long including late december. I am sure at some point I will probably lower it, but that time isnt now.

Heres a question for ya, I was told by a Bow tech,if you will, from a reputable sporting goods store, that bows perform best at their peak weight. I was also told this by a rep for darton. Now is that Hog wash or is that correct. It makes sense to me. If a bow is only built to 60# does it perform better at 60 or the same at 50.??

[Erik]

Maybe bow techs are different but in my experiance the bows I have owned all shot best at between 50% to 75% of their peak weight. When I cranked em down to their peak weight I did not care for their performance. Just my observations not that it matters. Shoot whatever you like. But it is dangerous to draw while pointing your arrow into the sky. No matter how many lbs your pulling back.

[Kelly Johnson]

Another great post Jeff

If you point up and draw down onto your target it takes longer to aim
I've found the opposite to be true but whatever works.

I pull more weight early in the season than I do late...about 5 lbs difference from what I can draw in 50+ and what I can draw at -2 ;)

[Pigpen69]

Maybe bow techs are different but in my experiance the bows I have owned all shot best at between 50% to 75% of their peak weight. When I cranked em down to their peak weight I did not care for their performance. Just my observations not that it matters. Shoot whatever you like. But it is dangerous to draw while pointing your arrow into the sky. No matter how many lbs your pulling back.

By bow tech i meant someone who works at the pro shop! Not a bow tech bow. ;)

[StumpJumper]

;) My switchback @ 70# pulls as smooth as most other bows set @ 30#

[ScottC]

Good thread. For a short time I use to start out high as I drew back. Not because of my draw weight, but because I was mimicking what I saw other archers doing. A guy who was helping me sight my pins, corrected my form, pointing out that if I let one fly during an inside shoot, it may ricochet off the ceiling and ruin my arrow...or worse. :tdo12:

So now I draw my 60# Switchback straight back.

[Ack]

Heres a question for ya, I was told by a Bow tech,if you will, from a reputable sporting goods store, that bows perform best at their peak weight. I was also told this by a rep for darton. Now is that Hog wash or is that correct. It makes sense to me. If a bow is only built to 60# does it perform better at 60 or the same at 50.??

Yes it is correct...a bow is most efficient at or near peak draw weight. I have also heard that a 60 lb. bow set at max draw weight (usually around 62 lbs. or so) will actually shoot faster than a 70 lb. bow cranked down to the same poundage.

[DavidH]

I was at Cabelas the other night and a friendly enough guy was shopping for a new bow. He was demonstrating his "incredible" draw length to the gal with a bow stating he needed a 31 or 32 inch draw and 80# set. He was sky-drawing like crazy to demo for her and he is one of the guys that has that semi-double jointed elbow. He sky-bombed that thing and came down with his elbow bent the wrong way (that string would have taken meat with it!) and the string back behind his lower mandible (jaw bone) and told her "this is how I need to draw!" so I just took a number and went browsing. Now I have "monkey" arms... I am barely 6 feet tall but my arm span is 6 foot 3 inches yet I draw on a 28 or 29 just fine thanks. A nice crook in my bow arm and comfortable grip. 50 to 60 pounds on today's bows and arrows and you will be fine. Form, sharpened well cared for tips, a little practice with some "sacrificial" broadheads of the same type and grain and any one of us can do well with 50 to 60 pounds. Gotta be able to bend that thing comfortably from a twisted torso, bent over, leaning out, sitting down... No need to over-do it. Gotta let them go on by too if the shot aint perfect. Its just great being out there with them huh? Great post guys. Thanks!