Getting your archery gear in shape before the hunting season is not only
smart, it's necessary.
With archery season rapidly approaching, it's time for all of us
bowhunters to check our gear & get it in shape if it's not already. Here are
some tips and guidelines for making sure your bow and related equipment is
in top condition. I don't know about you, but I've had enough equipment
failure to last me a lifetime, so I like to check and re-check my stuff
before I head to the woods after a buck. I shoot a compound bow, so this
article is geared towards compounds rather than "traditional" archery gear.
I usually start with my bow, since that's where the big problems can
occur. Besides giving it a general once-over, I take care of the items in
this checklist:
Check string for wear, replace if necessary & wax it.
Check nock points, peep, etc. on your string. Replace if necessary.
Clean surface rust from steel surfaces & wipe down with gun oil.
Lube all moving parts (I find that dry graphite lube works well for
this).
If you have a pendulum or other sight with moving parts, check its
operation and apply dry graphite lube at pivot points. (this is very
important, trust me!)
Check your rest's adjustment & replace heat-shrink if necessary.
Check your string silencers, if you use them. My rubber-band
"cat-whiskers" have just about had it, so I'll be replacing mine this
year.
If you use a bow quiver, check its mount. Make sure it's tight and
won't vibrate and hum when you shoot.
Check your quiver... does it still hold your arrow shafts securely? Is
the hooded area for your broadheads in good shape?
Take a close look at the guide rod & slide, if so equipped. Repair or
replace bent or nicked guide rod and/or worn slide.
Take a look at the bow's finish... is it well camo'd or glare-free? I
like to apply camo tape over any surface that might glare.
Take a look at the limbs, hunting for cracks, splits or other
oddities/imperfections. Replace if necessary; a limb breaking at full draw
can ruin anyone's day, and may cause injury.
After ensuring that my bow and all integral equipment is okay, I move on
to my accessories:
Check your arm guard, if you use one. This fairly inexpensive item can
save you from a world of hurt if it's in good shape... check straps,
buckles, etc.
Check your release, if you use one. I use a TruFire X-caliper release
that came with my bow when I bought it second-hand, and I have been very
pleased with it. Whatever release you choose, make sure it's operating
properly and there's no overly worn parts. A release that lets go too soon
can be a real pain, both literally and figuratively.
This is a big one: check and maintain your broadheads. Sharpen or
replace dull blades, this is a must! I will probably be buying new
broadheads this year, simply because Cobra decided to stop making blades
for mine, and I'm tired of resharpening them. Razor-sharp blades are
necessary to ensure a quick & clean kill, which we all strive for.
Next, I give my arrows a good going-over, checking for things like:
Bent or warped arrows
Loose or damaged fletchings (repair or replace these)
Cracked, broken, or badly worn nocks (replace these)
After that, I head out for some practice, to make sure I still know how
to shoot this thing. If you hunt from a tree stand, practice from a tree
stand! There's absolutely no substitute for practicing the types of shots
you will be taking in the field.
