Off-season Bow Care?

[Bobb-o]

This being the first year i have bow hunted and not having any one else in my family who has ever bow hunted was looking for any tips on how to care for my bow in the off-season? Is there anything i need to do before putting it away till spring, when i plan on shooting again? Do I wax the string?

[irvingdog]

Quote:

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Do I wax the string?

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Wax your string after every time you shoot. it is the best, cheapest investment in extending the life of your string.

[Captain B.R.K]

BUT the question was, "How do I care for my bow now that I am done with it for the season?"

I to just waxed the string after my last day in the field and it has been sitting out in the cold garage all winter long. Was there anything else I should have done to it

I feel like I neglect it:)

[wildirishrose]

Bobb-o, don't put your bow away, there is no such thing as an "off season" for the bowhunter. Keep shooting, Sept. is not that far away. Get it tuned by a bow shop one or two times a year and you'll be fine. Keep flingin arrows now and that once in lifetime shot won't be that tough (I hope, I have'nt had it yet).By the way, did you stick one last year? If you did, are you selling your rifle? There ain't nothin like mono a mono with a stick and string, any animal taken with a bow and arrow is a trophy in my book.

[TomBow]

I agree with what Mr. Sartell said, why stop shooting?

But if you need to put it away, don't leave it out in the garage where the temps are going to fluctuate, put it in a closet in the house someplace. Temp fluctuation can have an effect on the string, cable harness and other components of the bow. Yes, wax the string each time you shoot to keep the fibers from drying out and becoming brittle and frayed. I would take it into a pro shop, have them put it in a press and have the bushings and cam axles inspected for wear, then lubricate them with Tri-flow (teflon based lubricant, suggested to me by a Bowtech Tech-head). I am not sure but relaxing the tension (draw weight on the bow may also be a good idea, check with your local bow pros on that. Many archery specific websites are out there so ask your questions there for more info. Treat the bow well and it will be there for you when you need to bag dat big honkin' buck!

[ghotierman]

all good advice here as always...

i'll echo tombow's advice and suggest turning down the poundage...less tension on the string/cables....as a rule of thumb, don't turn the limb bolts out more than 4 complete turns...

having it serviced by a pro-shop is good advice too....lubing the axles and limbs....keep it indoors away from cold/heat fluxuations...

good luck

[WB make the CUT]

Shoot year round!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bobb-o]

dont have the time to shoot until school gets out in may so i am gonna put it away until then. Didnt get one with my bow last year but i missed two deer with three arrows.If I had known it was gonna be so hard i wouldnt have passed on the first 6 deer that i saw while waitin for a big buck. Bowhunting this year was so unbelievably addicting that i want to be out hunting right now. But just started a job working 30+ hours a week plus being a full-time student just leaves me with no time. Dont plan on selling my rifle, i still enjoy shooting them with that. I use an old winchester 30-30 with iron sights, so i have to have them pretty close to take a shot anyways. Thats the main reason i wanted to start bowhunting in the first place, because up until 2 years ago i had never taken a deer with my rifle further than 25 yards.