Author Topic: Selfbows and cold weather (Read 4778 times)

WhistlingBadger · « **on:** December 15, 2019, 04:27:29 pm »

Evening, all. What are the issues, if any, with shooting a self-bow in cold weather? i generally don't shoot my bow if it's below 20F, just because it seems like the cold would make it brittle and more likely to break. However, that really limits my practice time about three months out of the year, and doggone it, I've got a 3d shoot coming up next month! This is also prime bunny hunting time, and while I have nothing against taking out the old .22, options are nice.

So, what's the going research/experience out there? Shooting selfbows when it's cold--yes or no?

Thanks!
T

aaron · « **Reply #1 on:** December 15, 2019, 04:32:07 pm »

I read an article about a guy who made an inuit bow and shot it in sub-zero

temps with no ill effects (sinew cable backed)

PatM · « **Reply #2 on:** December 15, 2019, 04:38:38 pm »

You'll hear that Yew is delicate in cold but I've never had any other typical bow wood react negatively to cold. I'm talking extreme cold too.

Pappy · « **Reply #3 on:** December 15, 2019, 05:34:36 pm »

I hunted in zero several times, single digit and teen a lot with no ill effects at least on the bow

Pappy

TimBo · « **Reply #4 on:** December 15, 2019, 07:44:05 pm »

There is at least one other thread about this somewhere...I would imagine it comes up now and then. I have never had problems, but it seems like others have said the low winter humidity is more of a problem than the temperature per se.

George Tsoukalas · « **Reply #5 on:** December 15, 2019, 08:00:46 pm »

In my younger days (sigh!) I took a hickory self bow out roving in -3 F. Jawge

Msturm · « **Reply #6 on:** December 15, 2019, 08:53:35 pm »

We get a few of these every years. I live in Alaska. I "regularly" shoot my selfbows at 20 below. They pick up draw weight like crazy though... That 45 lb bow becomes a 55 at those temps. I don't shoot my yew below 40 F. I do shoot my guava and my go to is a vine maple.

Right now it is 7 F. outside and I got in about a hundred shots today. I hope this helps.

WhistlingBadger · « **Reply #7 on:** December 15, 2019, 10:01:34 pm »

Hm, good to know! One less excuse not to practice.

My go-to is black locust, which is said to be pretty tough in general. Thanks for the info, gents!
T

bradsmith2010 · « **Reply #8 on:** December 16, 2019, 02:28:40 pm »

most wood bows can handle any temp you can,,

Pappy · « **Reply #9 on:** December 16, 2019, 02:39:11 pm »

They always feel much heaver but never really checked one, just figured it was me not the bow.

Pappy

Hamish · « **Reply #10 on:** December 16, 2019, 03:26:30 pm »

I think a narrow, thick bow, like an elb from yew would be more in danger of breaking, than say a wide yew flatbow. A wide hardwood bow would be safer still.

razorsharptokill · « **Reply #11 on:** December 16, 2019, 04:25:38 pm »

I have heard that if they are backed with sinew they can pick up as much as 15lbs.

bradsmith2010 · « **Reply #12 on:** December 16, 2019, 04:40:15 pm »

when it gets cold,, I eat more and pick up a few pounds too

WhistlingBadger · « **Reply #13 on:** December 16, 2019, 09:57:23 pm »

Quote from: bradsmith2010 on December 16, 2019, 04:40:15 pm

when it gets cold,, I eat more and pick up a few pounds too

Difference is the bow goes back to normal when it warms up...I take slightly longer.

bownarra · « **Reply #14 on:** December 17, 2019, 01:10:24 am »

I doubt you would get a 15# increae.
As mentioned it is the low humidity you need to worry about not the cold. It is the humidity that is increasing the weight also.
Sinew back your bow and you would never have to worry.

Primitive Archer