Parting ways!

[Schultzy]

I've been bow hunting with the same recurve for 14 years this fall. It's been a great recurve and we've done very well as a team. It's shot me many deer and bear, 2 of which were P&Y animals. 140 1/8" Mn Whitetail and 20 5/16 Mn Bear.

Something hasn't felt right all year when I've been shooting It. I've been shooting great but something just didn't feel right. Well, I figured It out. I checked my draw weight yesterday and It read 61lbs at my draw length. My draw weight was always 73lbs at about 28 inches. I knew my arrows didn't have the zip they had In the previous years, It just finally clicked yesterday so that's why I checked the draw weight out. I'm bummed that's for sure. I'm guessing the limbs are loosing there strength. 61lbs Is still plenty of pounds but I like to knock my animals on there keesters when I hit them. I'm sure It's going to keep dropping as time goes on. I checked my brace height and that hasn't moved much at all so the string Isn't stretching. It's just getting old I guess. Next year I'm guessing at this time I'll have a new Recurve In the woods for the 1st time In 14 years. It's kinda sad If you ask me!

[RidgeRunner]

Kind of like putting down an old bird dog after many years in the field. Sad indeed.

[emsharon1116]

You're not going to get rid of it are you? Sounds like a pretty awesome keepsake that would look great hanging on the wall

[Schultzy]

You're not going to get rid of it are you? Sounds like a pretty awesome keepsake that would look great hanging on the wall

Oh no!! It will go on the wall somewhere, just not sure yet where though.


RidgeRunner- You are exactly right!

[Bucksnort101]

Sad to hear. I hate to even think of not being able to shoot my current Longbow and Recurve.
I've heard of people shooting a Traditional bow for many more that 14 years without having a problem. Maybe it's just the heavier draw weight and the wood and glass breaking down?
One thing you didn't mention, but I'll assume is the case, are you using the same wieght arrows as you have in the past?
Keep an eye on those limbs, I'd be a little concerned if I lost over 10 pounds of draw weight on a bow.
your bow definately deserves a place of honor on the bow rack.

[Schultzy]

Sad to hear. I hate to even think of not being able to shoot my current Longbow and Recurve.
I've heard of people shooting a Traditional bow for many more that 14 years without having a problem. Maybe it's just the heavier draw weight and the wood and glass breaking down?
One thing you didn't mention, but I'll assume is the case, are you using the same weight arrows as you have in the past?
Keep an eye on those limbs, I'd be a little concerned if I lost over 10 pounds of draw weight on a bow.
your bow definitely deserves a place of honor on the bow rack.

10 pounds In a year Is crazy alright. That's telling me something's wrong. A year ago this time I checked the draw weight and It was right on at 73lbs as usual. I haven't switched up arrows or the weight of the arrows since I started shooting this recurve. Maybe I'm missing something here but what would switching up arrow's or weights of the arrows have to do with me loosing pounds at my draw length?

I think what you said earlier In your post Is what's happening- Maybe it's just the heavier draw weight and the wood and glass breaking down?

Who knows I guess. Maybe your on to something or possibly someone else might know what's going on here too.

[Bucksnort101]

Sorry, I was a little distracted when I responded. Arrow weight would have nothing to do with the draw weight, I was thinking more of you stating that you're arrows were not shooting with the same autority as they had been and relating that to an arrow change. My mistake.
I'd still be a bit concerned about shooting a bow that dropped that much draw weight, could blow up on you at any time?
I've e-mailed a couple friends that build bows professionally and asked them what they think of the situation. I'll post what they tell me when I hear back.

[Slugger]

Is the string lenght correct? it may have stretched

edit, sorry didnt read the whole post in detail, youve already checked that

[Bucksnort101]

I think I read in another posting that this was a 3 piece takedown? If so a thought comes to mind. Maybe the limb bolt attachments are coming loose in the riser causing the limbs to flex/move at the connection point? This could account for the loss in draw weight? Just a thought. Hate to see a perfectly good bow hanging on the wall when it may be a simple fix? If it is a 3 piece why not have a new set of limbs made?

[Schultzy]

Sorry, I was a little distracted when I responded. Arrow weight would have nothing to do with the draw weight, I was thinking more of you stating that you're arrows were not shooting with the same autority as they had been and relating that to an arrow change. My mistake.
I'd still be a bit concerned about shooting a bow that dropped that much draw weight, could blow up on you at any time?
I've e-mailed a couple friends that build bows professionally and asked them what they think of the situation. I'll post what they tell me when I hear back.

Thanks allot Buck!! I appreciate that allot.

[Schultzy]

I think I read in another posting that this was a 3 piece takedown? If so a thought comes to mind. Maybe the limb bolt attachments are coming loose in the riser causing the limbs to flex/move at the connection point? This could account for the loss in draw weight? Just a thought. Hate to see a perfectly good bow hanging on the wall when it may be a simple fix? If it is a 3 piece why not have a new set of limbs made?

The guy I bought the bow from Is no longer In business as far as I know. The business was located In Sartel, Mn. The bow Is called a WindWalker and yes It's a 3 piece Take Down Recurve. From what I can tell the limbs are snug up against the riser where the bolts screw In. There Is no movement In there what so ever. I really appreciate the help here Buck!! I didn't expect any, It seems not many people shoot a Traditional bow on this site or know much about them.

[Bucksnort101]

Here is one response from one of the Bowyers I inquired about his thoughts on your bow, here is what he said;

"Wow, that's a bunch of weight to lose.....I've never seen it happen without something de-laminating somewhere. The funny part about this one is that after 14 years, I would expect it would be stable.
Back when I first started building recurves, I left one strung up for over a year just to satisfy my own fears and it didn't even lose a pound. On the other hand, when I had one beginning to break down, it lost a mere 2 pounds. When I checked it over and saw the crack had started, I was only able to draw it 2 or 3 more times before she blew up. That was only a 50# bow, more weight should mean more stress."

He also has concerns on continued shooting of the bow for fear of it coming apart on you. I wonder if you could just have a new set of limbs make by another bowyer? May mot perform exaxtly the way you are used to, but it may save you some money on buying a whole new bow. Unless the riser itself is starting to fail, but I would doubt that would be the case.

[Schultzy]

Good Info there Buck. I'll do some thinking on this on what I should do while I'm out hunting this weekend.

Thanks again!!

[Bucksnort101]

My pleasure to help if I can. I may not be handsome, but at least I'm handy.
Bowyer friend also suggested wearing safety glasses just in case, not a bad idea. Probably a good idea for anyone shooting Trad equipement.
Good luck, I'm off to do some Turkey hunting over the weekend so if I hear anything else I'll post it on Monday.

[Jore]

Wow sounds like you are really in tune with your bow. Awesome

[Bucksnort101]

My other Bowyer friend said he knows a guy that has been building bows for 15 years and never unstrings them. They tested weight on a 15 year old bow that has been strung that whole time and it has not lost a single pound of weight.
Only other thing I can think of is your bow scale being faulty? Probably not the case since you perceive and drop in shooting performance, but it wouldn't hurt to check with another scale and see if the numbers match up. Maybe try another sting and see if something is wrong there. Other than that I can't think of any other reason other than just limb fatigue?

[Schultzy]

My other Bowyer friend said he knows a guy that has been building bows for 15 years and never unstrings them. They tested weight on a 15 year old bow that has been strung that whole time and it has not lost a single pound of weight.
Only other thing I can think of is your bow scale being faulty? Probably not the case since you perceive and drop in shooting performance, but it wouldn't hurt to check with another scale and see if the numbers match up. Maybe try another sting and see if something is wrong there. Other than that I can't think of any other reason other than just limb fatigue?

Yep, I plan on checking with another scale but I'm sure I'll get the same results but you don't know until you try. I was wondering today If my string doesn't possibly stretch when I draw It back Instead of the limbs bending Instead? I have another string here that I'm going to throw on and see what It does then. If none of this works I'm just going to have to except the fact that the limbs are fatiguing for some reason and I'll have to get myself another bow. Another thing I forgot to add, I never unstring my bow either. Once a year at most It gets unstrung.

[Holm-Made]

If you make it up to the Brainerd area bring the bow. I'd like to look at it and put it on my scale. I have a traditional bow building business.

If the bow lost 11 pounds in one year then I wouldn't shoot it. Something is seriously wrong.

I had a scale go bad once where it lost 7 pounds in a couple weeks. I wonder if that isn't your problem, hope so. Chad

[Schultzy]

Not good!!! After getting back from hunting this morning I took my bow out of the case and checked It out like I always do before I hang It up on It's hook. On the top limb I see slivers of lamination starting to separate from the limb on the very outside edge. How long Is she going to last??? I pulled It back and didn't hear any noises but man I'm getting nervous now!! I was hoping It would make it through the year.

[Bucksnort101]

That's too bad. If it were me I would retire those limbs.
Maybe a Bowyer could make a set of limbs to fit the riser. Would save you the price of replacing the whoel bow.
I wouldn't think it would be too diffucult to reproduce limbs, if you had the tools to do so. Trace the limbs shape, take thickness measurement of the to build a form and then glue them up and find someone that builds bows and have them sure it in thier bow "oven".