Reagan Trent, April – In my last article, I talked about how to get yourself ready to shoot. Now we are going to talk about how to get your equipment ready. I have mentioned briefly throughout multiple articles how to keep your equipment “healthy” and now it is all going to be in one place. Take the time to examine your bow thoroughly. Look for any signs of wear, damage, or loose components. Regular inspections help you catch issues early.
Before you start shooting, visually inspect your bow. Check the limbs for damage or cracks and look at the riser for anything loose. It would be best to examine the strings and cables for fraying or damage and ensure that the cams and wheels are straight. Check to see if your rest needs replacing. While shooting, listen for unfamiliar sounds. Parts of your bow can sometimes loosen or vibrate. If anything feels or sounds odd, pause, and recheck before continuing. Another option would be to ask your coach or take your bow to a local bow shop.
Waxing the string is important because it helps improve accuracy and increases its lifespan. You should wax your bow once every two weeks or if it starts to get “fuzzy” earlier. Regularly check for signs of fraying or broken strands. If the wax is not helping, consider replacing the string. Be sure not to wax where you nock an arrow. To apply the wax, less is more. Over waxing your bow is unnecessary and can cause it to fray and/or diminish your performance.
Another point to make is you should not slide your nock up to your nock point. This makes that area of the string fray, and it decreases the string’s lifespan.
Just like the cams and wheels of your bow, you should check to make sure that your arrows are straight. Bending is one of the common issues with aluminum shafts. Before putting it into a quiver or storing it, you should inspect every arrow’s shaft for any signs of bending or any holes. You can check the arrow visually or run two fingers along the shaft. Running your fingers along the nock makes sure that there are no bumps outside or inside the nock. The bumps may cause the nock to become stuck on the string when inserted.
Remember, a well-maintained bow performs better and lasts longer. Happy shooting everyone!