How to Take Care of your Bow
Archery is one delightful experience. It gets even better when you own your own archery equipment. However, owning archery equipment is one thing, but prolonging the lifetime of your equipment is another. Take the bow for instance, if not handled with care, it may deteriorate faster than you expected. Below are bow maintenance strategies to ensure that your bow enjoys a long lifetime.
How to Take Care of Your Archery Bow
Avoid Resting Your Bow on its Tip
When it comes to bow storage, try not to rest it on its tip. This is because it will cause the tips to wear and tear faster than you would want. The tips of your bow serve to hold the string and when they deteriorate, your bow will not be able to hold a string, rendering it obsolete. The best way to store your bow is by the use of a bow rack.
Unstring after Usage
Unless you are using a fiberglass bow, always remember to remove the string when you are not using the bow. This is in order to prevent it from losing cast. When your bow is strung, the belly is subjected to compression. Overtime, this compression weakens the bow. To avoid this, it is always to unstring your bow whenever it is not in use.
Do not Dry Fire your Bow
To dry fire simply means, pulling and releasing the bowstring when the arrow is not placed on it. This is because the impact may break the bow when the string is taut. The weight of the arrow is always necessary before pulling and releasing the bowstring.
Dampness is a Spoiler
It is not advisable to store your bow in a humid environment. Even worse is a wet storage place. This will result to a squeaking bow. Worst case scenario is a corroded and dysfunctional bow. Having said that, always remember to store your bow in a dry place. In addition, always carry a dry fabric to the field. This is useful for wiping your bow dry in case rain finds you out in the field.
Regularly Change your Bowstring
Always be on the lookout for a deteriorating bowstring. In the event that your bowstring breaks, it not only weakens the bow but also poses danger to the archer. It's a triple tragedy, as the bowstring would end up dysfunctional, the bow damaged and the user injured. For precaution purposes, it is advisable to regularly change your bowstring.
Limit Lending out your Bow
The bow gets accustomed to how you normally shoot. However, draw lengths vary among individuals. Bigger people tend to have longer draws. Now if your bow is not accustomed to such kinds of draws, it risks breaking. It is advisable to keep your bow for yourself.
Ice Destroys Bows
During winter, ice may accumulate on your bow. When the bow is drawn in such a state, it may cause the bowstring to snap because of the freezing. To avoid this, it is always advisable to scrutinize your bow and bowstring for ice before firing it.
Use a Bow Stringer
When stringing your bow, it is highly recommended that you use a bow stringer. This prevents twisting of the limbs of your bow. In addition, it also prevents you from getting injured during the stringing process.
Use the Right Bowstrings
When it comes to bows and bowstrings, compatibility of the two matters a great deal. It is important that the length of the bowstring is the right one for the bow. A shorter or longer bowstring will hasten depletion of your bow.
Use the Right Arrows
Just like bowstrings, arrows too determine the longevity of your bow. Very light arrows may result to breakage of your bow. Similarly, very heavy arrows are likely to damage your bow. It is therefore important to stick to the suitable arrows at all times.
The longevity of your bow is vital in your archery experience. It is therefore advisable to follow the mentioned tips on how to handle your bow. Archery doesn't necessarily have to be expensive. However, without the right knowledge on how to handle the equipment, you might find yourself incurring unnecessary costs for replacement of your equipment. Please adhere to the mentioned tips on how to maintain your bow. It will help you make the most out of archery.