Lowering Poundage

[Yarcher]

I was involved in a motorcycle accident in June, and am hoping to be recovered enough by bow season to actually hunt. I plan to lower the poundage on my bow and resight, as I have AC joint seperations in both shoulders.

My question is, how many turns can I safely back my bow out? I thought it was ten, but I figured someone probably knows right off the top of their head. I am shooting a Mathews Q2, 60-70#.

I plan to attempt to draw back the bow on Sept 1st, and if I am able to draw it, I will be shooting daily if my shoulders allow. Just wanna drop to the 60lb setting to give my shoulders every break I can.

I would actually like to get some 50-60lb limbs, and then drop it lower than 60 if necessary. If anyone knows where I can get some for a decent price, let me know. Thanks guys.

[2PawsRyno]

Sorry to hear of your accident. I too, seperated my AC joint in a motocross accident back in the summer of 2001. At the time I was shooting 68#'s @ 28 inches. I shoot right handed and seperated my left shoulder. Be sure and do as much physical therapy and stretching as you can. Based on my experience, the muscles will have to be strengthened to provide support no longer available from the AC joint itself. My doctor had no information on suitable shoulder braces, but I found one on my own. There is an offroad motorcycle safety gear company named EVS that makes a neoprene brace (about $25) that helps hold the shoulder socket together. I bought one and wore it for the first year after getting back to work, shooting and riding. I had problems with my shoulder dislocating and the brace helped some by providing extra support.

When I returned to shooting, I started with an old Bear black bear kids set up @ 45#'s. I quickly returned to my own bow set at 60#'s. By Mid October I was shooting 30 - 50 arrows a day. My biggest problem was getting used to drawing and holding. My form suffered at first, but returned to normal once the strength in my shoulder improved. Yes, there was agrivation, inflamation and pain in the shoulder joint. Only natural with this type of injury as I've come to learn.

Personally, I took my bow to my local shop and had them set it up as light as possible without changing the limbs or cam mod. At no charge they turned it down and left enough threads in the riser to be safe. My shooting was inconsistent, but at least I was shooting. I then built my shoulder up to the task. Physical therapists are nicknamed physical terrorists for a reason as "no pain, no gain" surely applies to the AC joint rehab. Once I shot for awhile, I started adding 1/2 turn every few days. While I did not give you a precise answer, I hope the other info is of help. Shoulder injuries are no good.

[Yarcher]

I have found that my right shoulder (I am right handed) is up to the task, but at this point, it is painful to hold the bow up with my left arm. I am hoping that this either goes away, or is tolerable soon. I have gotten most of the range of motion back, but I will need to do some strengthening execises to get back to where I was.

My right shoulder went back in place, but the left one is forever dislocated. As the doctor said, "That deformity is forever." In his opinion, surgery would just lead to arthritis later, and it will just heal "as is" if I take it easy for awhile. So I am "living with the lump."

I plan to turn the weight down, as I am currently in the 65-70 lbs range. I am hoping that backing it down to 60lbs and gradually getting back into it will help. I might try drawing it soon, just not while holding the bow like normal. I think if I leave the bow hanging down and draw it, I might be able to pull it off. The pain is mostly from the weight of the bow as I try to hold my left arm parallel to the ground. If I can draw it in another manner, at least I can build my strength that way. Thanks for the info.

[GVDocHoliday]

I believe Mathews recommends no more than 4 turns per limb bolt. You can twist up the string something fierce to get the weight down about 6-7lbs as well.

[WALLEYEvision]

Yarcher - Sorry to hear of your accident, hope you have a speedy recovery! Good luck!!! :)

[FullQuiver]

Call and see if they can help? Ten Years ago I almost died from cancer ( I was given six months to live) and was so weak I couldn't draw my bow. ( It was a Darton by the way.) But I called and explained what was going on they said send it in. I was worried as money was tight. Two weeks later it came back with new limbs, strings and cables. No charge!! That is one reason why I am a faithful Darton fan.

Matthews seems like a top notch company maybe they can help you out.

[Yarcher]

That's pretty impressive. I have a few friends who shoot Dartons and are pleased with their bows. Plus they are a Michigan based company, which is good. I'm not sure Mathews has quite as good customer service, as I tried to email them once about another bow of mine and got no response. Might be worth a shot though. Thanks