By Jennifer Walterscheit
How to Care for Your Bow
Your archery bow is one of the most important, if not the most important, equipment in your bowhunting set. Because of this, you need to be able to take good care of your bow so as not to damage it and keep it in top condition. Here are some helpful tips that can help make your bow resist wear and tear, and make it last longer.
• Wax your bow. Rub your bow in a gentle manner using a special wax made for that specific purpose. This will seal the finish in and prevent moisture from damaging the bow.
• Oil the axles. Keep the axles adequately lubricated, so that they can freely move.
• If your bow gets wet, such as when it rains during your bowhunting trip, dry it off using a soft cloth as soon as possible. The metal parts inside the bow may become rusted, even if your bow is water-resistant. Don't use a heater to dry off your bow.
• Match the right arrows to your bow. If you use arrows that are too light, the arrows will not be able to absorb the shock caused by shooting. On the other hand, if the arrows are too heavy, this will worsen your accuracy.
• If your bow has detachable limbs, make sure that you tighten them gently. Do not tighten them too much, as the limbs may become stiff and can break.
• Take the string out when the bow is not in use.
• Check your strings frequently. Make sure that the strings are not broken or loose; if they are, replace them as soon as possible. Prevent fraying and drying of your bow string by waxing it regularly. However, you should not wax a string where the service wrapping is located, as these areas already have a lot of wax on them.
• A bow stringer is important. A stringer will prevent the limbs of your bow from twisting and breaking while you are stringing it. It is also a whole lot safer to use a bow stringer when stringing, as the limbs are pointed away from you during the process.
• Do not "dry fire" your bow. To dry fire is to shoot the bow without an arrow. The arrow functions to slow down the recoil of the string and to cushion the shock. If you fire without an arrow, the bow will have to absorb all the shock produced, resulting in damage.
• Keep your bow in a cool place when not in use. Make sure that you store it in a dry place, without too much moisture or heat. The wood used in the bow can warp when exposed to extreme heat. When storing the bow, make sure that it lies flat or hangs by its riser, and not by its cables or strings.
Caring for your bow is not difficult. Checking on it once in a while can help your bow function very well for a long, long time.
How to Care for Your Bowhunting Equipment - article sponsored by Jennifer Walterscheit of Eagle Archery - http://shop.eaglearchery.com
Source:www.isnare.com |
