Gotta Sell my Mathews Heli M

[Yotekiller011]

I have finally came to the conclusion with great regret that my bow hunting days with a compound, recurve and long bows are coming to end. I've been shooting a bow since 1972 at 10 yrs. old and love archery but it has become too painful to draw and with the pain I just can't continue. I always said that when I couldn't stand or was unable to pull it back I'd hang it up. I've been primarily an archer in the deer and turkey woods for years and in the past have won my share of trophy/awards/money at 3D. I said that Crossbows ruined archery in Tennessee, and still believe that to this day. I watch it evolve and bankrupt many clubs in east tn. so much so that it has become hard to find a tournament on the weekend when it use to be hard to decide which one to shoot or how many I could shoot in a weekend. I truly love the sport and have made some great friends and they all tell me "Don't quit, get a Crossbow" but I just don't know if I can bring myself to shoot what I've referred to for years as a "Cheater Bow". Old archers like myself tell me, "whats the difference, you went from recurve to compound that shoots like a long gun". My wife says don't quit get your shoulder repaired . So I ask you fellow archers, what should I do. Go to a Crossbow, have surgery and continue shooting with no guarantee from the Doctor he can repair me so I would be able to shoot. What do I do?

 

[TNDeerGuy]

There are many answers to your dilemma, but ultimately it comes down to you. I love the sport of archery to much to give it up! If it were me, I would get my shoulder fixed and then see what happens. There are many bows out there that have a much smoother draw cycle than what you are currently shooting—that Mathews "hump" is a elbow/shoulder killer IMO. Also, you can shoot a much lower poundage and still achieve better speeds than we got back in the 80's and having to pull 70lbs-80lbs. Being old school, and in the "have to 70lbs pull" mentality, I switched from Mathews to a much smoother drawing bow and down to 60lbs limbs because I was having elbow problems and wanted to avoid any further issues to my elbow or shoulder.

That being said, if you are no longer able to pull back a vertical bow, the need to fulfill an archery addiction greatly outweighs any animosity you have towards the type of archery gear. There is nothing wrong with using a crossbow IMO, it is not the weapon I despise, it is the wacky mindset of the ill-informed crossbow users that seriously irk me. I had to use one two years ago when I was going through my elbow injury. It bothered me, but I got over it. However, I still do not like them and see too many disadvantages to them.

When I was at the ATA show here in Nashville a couple of years ago, with the bad elbow, I came across this guy in a booth. http://www.drawloc.com/content/line-dra ... low-motion This product will give you the benefits of the compound and the benefits of the crossbow. It is a sweet little invention and works like a charm—I shot it!

 

[Yotekiller011]

Thanks buddy, Ill check it out.

 

[landman]

What weight are you shooting?

 

[UTGrad]

Sorry to hear but sounds like you could get over the resentment of crossbows. If I couldn't draw back a vertical bow I'd shoot a crossbow in a heart beat. I've never understood why one group of hunters would chastise another group cause they use a different weapon JMO.

 

[TNDeerGuy]

I don't think it is the weapon as much as it is the mindset of a significant portion of the user group—with a little resentment thrown in of course because they don't practice except for a couple of days before the opener. op:

 

[UTGrad]

I don't think it is the weapon as much as it is the mindset of a significant portion of the user group—with a little resentment thrown in of course because they don't practice except for a couple of days before the opener. op:

Hey I shoot my Tikka T3 308 a few days before rifle and confirm zero. I drop them in their tracks :super: op: :mrgreen:

 

[Unicam]

I would worry about my health first. We are the same age (I was 10 in 72 as well) and I am very thankful I can still pull mine back pain free. I am also not a fan of the crossgun, but if all else failed, I don't think I could not find a way into the deer woods come September. I hope everything works out for ya!

 

[hornsdonteat]

I was 1 in 72 but a few years ago playing softball,I dislocated my elbow,broke my wrist in 4 places and hand in 5.As of now I continue to shoot a compound but not without some discomfort,some days more then others.Not a fan of a crossbow ,I love hunting with my compound but with that being said I know with the shape my left arm is in sometime in the near future I'll have to make some decisions as well.I can't see myself not in the woods in september and kind of feel that was what the crossbow was intended for,guys like me and you that physically just can't anymore.Good luck on what ever decision you make and god bless,You will be in our prayers.

 

[102]

DRAW LOC

Hickory Creek Archery

Google it.

Two years ago, after my buddy had already received his non refundable Illinois buck tag, he blew out his shoulder. At 74 years old, he had been used to shooting a 50 pound compound.
He is an AVID bowhunter.

I told him about the draw loc bow and about a week later, it came in the mail.

Took fifteen minutes to set up and we all LOVE it.

He killed his first Pope and Young deer that November.

Since then he has healed up, dropped his poundage to 40 pounds, and keeps on killin without the draw loc.

But he does keep it nearby in case anyone needs it.

It turns a vertical bow into a vertical cross bow...IT WORKS GREAT.

 

[W.Seay]

I'm with you! If I can't draw a compound, I'll hang it up. No crossbow for me.

 

[mattmillard510]

I'll hunt on 40lbs before I go to a crossbow


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[pb10point]

Get your shoulder fixed.I have been bow hunting since 1975 and like you have shot a lot of tournaments.I had shoulder surgery in 1992 and the other one in 2012.I work out 4 days a week which helps but after the last surgery I sold my Mathews Monster because it was a shoulder killer and bought a Excalibur cross bow.One year later I bought a n new Mathews CredeXS.I shoot it 2 or 3 times a week with no problems.Get your shoulder fixed and get you a smooth drawing bow and lower the poundage starting out.

 

[LanceS4803]

Yotekiller, we're the same age. I started shooting a bow around the age of 15.
The military takes it toll, and a few years ago I switched to crossbow. A little time off and I was good to go.
Last year I got a used Hoyt compound and was successful with it.
This year I went to a Mathews No Cam. Hardly no hump, very, very smooth!

A recent magazine article talked about older archers. The recommend backing off the poundage. With today's bows, 50lbs on whitetail is plenty. They also talked a lot about treestand safety.

My advice, get the shoulder fixed. You have many years left in you. In the mean time, don't discount the evil crossbow. Trust me, it isn't all peaches and cream that one of those beast. With rehab, you'll probably be back to a compound in no time.