Many archers and bowhunters have specific brands they love and they’ll upgrade to the newest model periodically as cool new tech and exciting new features are released. Other archers hold onto their bows until the wheels, or in this case cams, fall off. Even the most tech-obsessed bowhunters likely still have their first bow. But how do you know when that old bow is still safe to use and when it’s time to hang up the strings and mark it as “display only”? Check out the guidelines, below, for some key indicators that it might be time to give your cherished bow a prized spot on your wall.
A big indicator that it might be time to set aside your old bow is if you can no longer find replacement parts. Retail shops can only carry so much inventory in-store and often have to order parts in to fix your bow, but when even your local archery shop can’t find the part or place the order directly through their manufacturer connections, it’s probably time for that upgrade. Though a bow “expiration date” doesn’t exist and there isn’t an industry standard to how long bow parts stay in circulation, there still might come a day when your bow’s parts have been discontinued.
Older bows were usually set at a higher poundage for higher speeds. Thanks to advancements in bow technology, newer bows can get the same, if not faster, speeds at a lower draw weight. The higher draw weight might make older bows feel like they have a harsher draw cycle than newer bows, making them a bit more uncomfortable to shoot. Though bow limbs don’t necessarily lose their ability to handle draw weight over time, if your older bow has become uncomfortable, consider turning the weight down and transition it to a bowfishing bow. Bowfishing doesn’t have the same draw weight requirements that bowhunting does. Bows typically allow the draw weight to fluctuate by 10 pounds. Take advantage of this flexibility and set your draw weight to a lower poundage that will be easier on you. For example, where you might have needed a 50-pound draw weight for effective bowhunting you can use 40 pounds for effective bowfishing.
If it’s time for a new rest, sight, stabilizer, strings or cables on your decades old bow, the price to replace all of these parts might end up equaling the price to buy a brand-new bow with all the fixings. The edge to buying new is that the new gear will offer better performance and include all the accessories you need.
You don’t want to wait until it’s too late, when your cams or strings break and there isn’t a replacement, so ask your retailer what new bows are available. You can let your retailer know what you liked about your old bow that you’d like to also find in your new bow and the retailer can share exciting new features with you in return.
There’s nothing wrong with acknowledging your decades-old bow is ready for retirement. You can keep the bow for its sentimental value while upgrading your active hunting season gear. If you’ve read this article and determined the day has come and you’re due for a new bow, check out our Store Locator to find your nearest retailer. They’ll be able to help you find you a bow that will last you another couple of decades.
You can also check out the year’s newest bows and see gear that hasn’t even hit shelves yet at the Archery & Bowhunting Supershow in Indianapolis, Jan. 9-10, 2027. Buy tickets and learn more here.
