Offseason Bow Care
by Steven Lines
- Strings – A bow’s strings are probably the most susceptible to every day wear and tear from hunting. You should regularly inspect and replace them when necessary, and waxing them can extend their lifetime. Also inspect your D-loop for any frays, and remember that it can be weakened even if doesn’t look like it is coming apart.
- Limbs – Although pretty tough and strong, a failure in one of the limbs of your bow could be catastrophic. Be sure to inspect the limbs for any cracks, chips, or splinters. For an avid hunter a little cosmetic damage should be expected, but just be sure that the actual limb is intact and not severely damaged.
After tuning up your bow and getting it the way you want it, you should practice with it as much as possible. With turkey season underway and lots of 3D competition shoots, there are plenty of opportunities for practice. If you choose to store your bow, be sure that it is kept away from excessive heat or moisture.
A diligent archer becomes very familiar with a bow over time and inspects it before and after every use. The end of the bow season is a great time to do the same thing. By doing some small simple things, you can prolong the life of your bow and have the confidence that it will always be ready to perform when it counts.