I recently got back into archery but I haven't shot a bow in over 30 years. I purchased a Bear Mauler at 60-70 pounds (I'm a 29-70). I got the bow and realized that I can hardly pull it back to full-draw. There are several reasons for this, one of which is my fear of an accidental dry-firing. The other main reason for this is that I am not strong enough where it counts. I'm a normal-to-large sized guy at 6' 2" and 225 pounds. I'm a "Double XL". Still, it was very difficult for me to draw the 70 pound bow back to anchor point. Obviously I need to work out some specific muscle groups in order to be able to effectively use this bow.

I figure the best workout would be one involving the bow itself. I should practice drawing back, then slowly letting off, and do this every day, or every other day, so as to build up the strength I need, where I need it.

It's 20 degrees outside, so doing this indoors is a must.

My fear of dry firing is because my release, a Scott Caliper, has a hair trigger, even when adjusted for a heavier pull. If I even get near that trigger the thing will fire, and a dry-fire is a real bad thing. If I load an arrow, and have an inadvertent release while practicing in the house - equally bad thing.

I need some sort of safety for my release. Even better, a device that CAN'T release, that I can put on the D-loop and practice drawing with.

I took a small punch and removed the pin that holds the release mechanism to my wrist strap, and fashioned a connector that will not release no matter what. I used a piece of nylon strap and a little snap-connector I had. It came as a shoulder-strap on a spotlight that I no longer have. Now I have a device based on the actual release I will use, that will help me get in shape for shooting my new bow.

That is awesome bro, now all ya gotta do is patent it and find a way to market it sell it for $19.95. Seriously it looks great and it is an awesome job looks clean and I bet you can use it all day long and the best part is no money out of pocket.

Just make sure you are practicing good form and drawing habits. Also learn to use the right muscle groups and let the back muscles do most of the work. You got a mirror you can use? if not you can video yourself so you can see what nasty habits you have developed and git rid of them.

Great work I think you have got a winner there you wanna make me one lol J/K

Will

Dave, looks awesome!!! That should do the trick and be very safe as well....

My suggestion would be to lower the poundage to 60 and start building your muscle groups from there. If you've got the bow cranked up to 70 and are struggling to yank it back, that's an indication that an injury is on it's way (potentially) - lower your DW and build solid form and technique without injury...

J.

@J - Thanks for the tips. That's the first thing I did when I got the bow. I cranked it down to 60.

@Will - I realized after making this that I do not like wrist-strap releases, not at all. I do not like the way all the pull is on the wrist. I injured both wrists in a car wreck 20 years ago,and after a few pulls with this release I could feel that old injury. I'm gonna have to use a hand-held release, which for me allows a much stronger draw. I put on a leather glove and drew the bow from the string with three fingers and it came back to full draw without any problems at all. With the wrist release I could barely get it back three times. So if you want this thing, you can paypal me 10 bucks and it's yours. I don't need it. Now I will fire up the mill and make myself a t-handle style practice tool.

Hey NevadaDave.

Great you are getting back into archery! Sounds like you've got the right plan to build up your strength. Will take a little time, but I'm sure you can do it. I had surgery earlier this year and had to start out with very low pull weight, probably around 40 lbs before I got my new bow. Have just recently, after about 6 months, gotten to where I can pull the full 70 lbs without trouble. Keep up the exercises!

Thats a great thing you made

Keep up the good work..

Thanks fellas!

I ordered a True Fire 3d Hunter in camo. I saw a lot of very good reviews of that one. It should be here Wednesday.

To answer your other question about the Flash Point sight - no, not eBay. It was in a store here and marked at 42 bucks. Someone marked it wrong, and then they gave me a 20 percent discount off that! Normally I would have told them, and paid the right price, but this particular store is owned by a family who owns several other stores in town - the have monopolies on the lumber yard, pharmacy and the sporting good store. They routinely overcharge for most of what they sell because they can get away with it. So I don't feel any worse at all for getting the sight so cheap. They should educate their cashiers better.

This little clip I made for practicing is so easy to make, you could make three for ten bucks. It's just a piece of old nylon strap and a clip, a little screw and two washers and a nut.

Sounds good I was going to recommend True Fire as well I just didn't want to overwhelm you with choices.

There are so many choices when it comes to handles.

That was a good buy and I agree with you if you know they are gouging you on the prices then it is a gift when they miss mark something.

I agree with you on the strap shoot me a pm any ways and we'll talk there.

Will