Whether you’ve been hunting with a vertical, compound, or crossbow for years, or you want to try bow hunting for the first time, you should know how to take care of your bow so that it lasts.
A quality bow can provide years of reliable hunting. This article provides maintenance tips on how to properly look after your bow so that it lasts the distance.
Growing Demand for Bow Hunting
Bow hunters make up a small percentage of all hunters in the United States. But according to the Archery Trade Association, the total number is getting closer to 4 million. American archers are also hunting whitetail deer in record numbers. It’s a promising sign for those who enjoy the challenge and thrill of hunting with a bow as opposed to a rifle.
Invest in a High Quality Bow
If you are keen to join in the action, there are many great bow and crossbow options to consider. The key thing is to take your time and shop around for a high-quality bow that is made out of durable materials. You won’t need to worry about a poorly constructed bow falling apart in the middle of a hunt. If you skimp on a bow from the start, you will inevitably need to replace it sooner than expected.
Best American Hunting Brands
TenPoint Crossbow Technologies, Ravin Crossbows, and Barnett Outdoors are just a few of the US brands making the best bows in the business. When you purchase a bow from reputable brands like these, you can rest assured knowing it should last for a long time without giving you any issues.
Replace the Bow String
The average bow is constructed with a stock, a pull or crank, a trigger, a sight, and a latch. But the most important part of a bow is the string. If you don’t make it your mission to regularly replace the string, your bow is not going to perform.
Replacing the string on a bow should be done at least once a year, even if you don’t shoot your bow more than once every week or two. If you use your bow several times each week you bow strong should be replaced every 1 to 3 months.
There is less work required to maintain compound and crossbows. For example, replacing the string on a quality TenPoint crossbow should be done every two years, or after every 1,000 shots.
When you do preventative maintenance, choosing custom bow strings and cables will give your complete confidence in your bow and help you stay on target.
Inspect the Bow Limbs
The limbs on a wooden bow also need to be maintained. One easy way to do this is by inspecting them every time you use your bow. Check the limbs for deep scratches or splinters that could moisture in. Bow limbs that are not properly maintained for long periods can cause them to crack.
Exposed wooden bow limbs can be fixed by applying clear nail polish. The polish creates a protective seal that prevents moisture from working its further into the cracks.
Avoid Using a Bow in Inclement Weather
Its best to steer clear of using a wooden bow in bad weather. Any time you hunt with a bow when it’s raining or when it’s very dusty, moisture and fine particles can get into various parts of your bow. After your hunt there will be extra work needed to dry and clean the bow. This maintenance needs to be done as soon as possible so that this moisture and dust don’t wreak long term damage.
Will Rain Hurt Crossbows?
Many crossbows and compound bows can tolerate short periods of getting wet and their performance is not diminished by moisture. This is because crossbows are typically made from aluminum, composites, and plated hardware materials.
With these bows, regular cleaning and inspection of the sight, trigger, and other mechanical parts will help address any performance issues of your bow. Failing to maintain your hunting gear could cause hunting safety issues later on.
Store Your Bow in the Right Place
If you love pulling your bow out and practicing with it as often as you can, it might not spend too much time in storage. But even still, you should make it a point to store your bow in the proper place so that you’re able to keep it in great shape and stop it from sustaining damage when not in use.
However, it’s never a good idea to store a wooden bow in direct sunlight or to keep it in a hot car for any longer than it has to be there. Exposing a wooden bow to heat can lead to certain parts of it warping and needing to be replaced. Instead, you should keep your bow in a cool, dark, dry part of your home where you can lock it up safely.
Proven Tips to Take Care of Your Compound Bow
By taking these simple cleaning and maintenance steps, you can make your bow last for many years. You can also ensure that your bow works the way it should every time you shoot it. This is especially important if you enjoy hunting with a bow or bowhunting competitions and need your bow to accurately fire.
