Left shoulder hurts

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UTGrad

UTGrad

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 1, 2007
Messages
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City & State/Province
Cookeville, TN
After being able to shoot about 12 shots in good form with my new bow, my form rapidly deteriated after that. My breaking point was on the 14th shot. I was able to pull it much better today, but my left shoulder hurts some in the socket. I will give it a rest and shoot some more Saturday, but I guess this is part of the deal. I would hate to end my bow hunting career as soon as it starts.
 
take it easy, you can damage your rotator cuff. build up slow, you got plenty of time before next season. take care.
 
Dont get discouraged. I have been there myself. When you get tired even if it is only after a few shots take a break. If you shoot fatigued you will only develope bad form. Hang in there you will learn alot between now and bow season! :cool:
 
Try not to shoot every day. Try every other day. Let your muscles develop and grow gradually. Going at it too fast and too hard can pull muscles, develop tendonitis and cause considerable soreness and pain.

Remember you are an archer now. That is lifetime position, not a flash in the pan. The arrows are gonna be there. You won't lose a certain number of shots by not shooting every day. Pace yourself.
 
I am right handed, but the pain is in my left shoulder. It only last for a few minutes after shooting. I know I am drawing too much weight, but I am building up strength pretty quick. I am able to draw it much smoother. I watched some videos about form. When I raise my elbow on my drawing arm to eye level, I pull the bow with my back muscles which helps alot. I am only pulling my bow back a few times at home on days when I don't shoot.
 
Drop the weight of your bow, build it up slowly. Take it slow and only shoot every 3-4 days rather than every day.

You dont want to mess your shoulder up... TRUST ME! Should surgery isnt any fun, and heals very slow!
 
I found another flaw in my form. I was raising my left shoulder (bow arm) when I draw. When I lock it low and raise my drawing arm elbow to eye level, it takes pressure of the shoulders and puts in my back muscles. You Tube has some good stuff.
 
WTM said:
UTGrad said:
You Tube has some good stuff.
Click to expand...

yeah, the chicks with the bikini tops on have almost perfect forms.
Click to expand...

I didn't get it at first, I hnestly just thought it was some chicks shooting in bikinis till I realized it shows how the muscles are working. I took some tips from their form.
 
You might try along with dropping the weight,just shooting less shots everyday,I know with me after about 7 or 8 in a row my arm starts getting a little tired and it shows in my shots,but as long as the first few are on you should be good,how many deer are gonna let you fling 14 arrows at them anyway?
 
Whitetail Junkie said:
You might try along with dropping the weight,just shooting less shots everyday,I know with me after about 7 or 8 in a row my arm starts getting a little tired and it shows in my shots,but as long as the first few are on you should be good,how many deer are gonna let you fling 14 arrows at them anyway?
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True, kinda like the first shot from a cold barrel at the range. That is the point of impact I work with when doing my final sighting in.
 
UTGrad said:
WTM said:
UTGrad said:
You Tube has some good stuff.
Click to expand...

yeah, the chicks with the bikini tops on have almost perfect forms.
Click to expand...

I didn't get it at first, I hnestly just thought it was some chicks shooting in bikinis till I realized it shows how the muscles are working. I took some tips from their form.
Click to expand...

something impressive is the 2007 archery world cup, stage 1, match 8. those korean girls can shoot a bow. fita comp at 70meters.
 
Wonder how they would do 25 ft up with a B&C class buck 50 yards away. I wonder if any of those Olympic archers deer hunt.
 
Hoss said:
Try not to shoot every day. Try every other day. Let your muscles develop and grow gradually. Going at it too fast and too hard can pull muscles, develop tendonitis and cause considerable soreness and pain.

Remember you are an archer now. That is lifetime position, not a flash in the pan. The arrows are gonna be there. You won't lose a certain number of shots by not shooting every day. Pace yourself.
Click to expand...

Good advise right there . ;)
 
It is tough to not go up in the bonus room and draw the bow a couple of times. I have been on an every other day schedule of shooting, but I have been going up in the bonus room just to get it out and look it over. As soon as I do that, out comes the release on my wrist and I can't help but to draw it a couple of times. My strength is building up quick, but I will exercise more caution. Learning about good form has helped with isolationg the proper muscles that should bear the brunt of pulling the bow back.
 
Drawing a bow and letting it down will hurt your shoulder more than just shooting . I have bone spur that causes bursitis in my shoulder , and it hurts more when I'm drawing a letting down several times .
Like others have mentioned a few times already . Don't draw it unless you plan on shooting . ;)
 
Radar said:
Drawing a bow and letting it down will hurt your shoulder more than just shooting . I have bone spur that causes bursitis in my shoulder , and it hurts more when I'm drawing a letting down several times .
Like others have mentioned a few times already . Don't draw it unless you plan on shooting . ;)
Click to expand...

It does hurt more in the shoulder when I am trying to slowly let it down. Thanks.
 
UTgrad,
IMO archery and bow hunting requires a lot of patience.
The slower you go from the pont of deciding which bow to purchase,where to purchase it from, what items to install, what arrows to shoot, stand to shoot from, etc. etc, the better off you will be.

Hunting season is a long way off,and there is plenty of time to be fully prepared. Bow hunting is not a sprint, it's a patience thing.

Find a good local bow shop that will take the time to help you is good advise.
Also, don't draw a bow without an arrow in it,and in a place you can and plan to relese it.

This thing is not a new toy.

The patience thing is even more important when it's time to actually bow hunt. Have to remain calm, in control,and patient.
Seeing a deer, any deer will give you the shakes, before, during and after the first shot.

Or at least is should.

Good luck and slow down.
 
Exellent advise from the others. So as several have posted just take your time and don't over do it. If you feel the need to practice throughout the summer I wouldn't go any more than a couple or three days a week at least a day apart. This will give your muscles time to recover. It's kinda like weight lifting, you have to build up to it. That's the main purpose in practicing IMO.
 
Have y'all ever known anybody that goes full bore into something if it interest them? I've been this way since I was a kid. First it was sharks and dinosaurs, then golf and fishing, then astronomy, then guitar, then partying and girls, now hunting Odocoileus Virginianus etc. etc. I am probably slightly OCD and it is to my benefit in most cases. If I get fascinated by something, I will spend hours learning all I can about that something or spend hours practicing. I didn't become a scratch golfer over night. I have been a student of the game since I was 10 years old. Archery is something I have locked into. It is something I can do year round plus I can harvest some deer while I am at it. I can't slow down, it is not my nature.
 
UTGrad said:
I will spend hours learning all I can about that something or spend hours practicing.
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UTGrad said:
then partying and girls,
Click to expand...

thats the kind of practice im talking about! :D :D


Seriously, I am the same way. I am one of the laziest people you will ever meet except when it comes to hunting especially shooting and tinkering with my bow. Its addicting once you get in the swing of things. Good to hear.

patience grasshopper :grin:
 
Just don't overdo it and enjoy it . Practice is good , too much can lead to injury , especially if you are currently feeling pain .
Practicing when you are tired will also lead to poor shooting form . Practicing bad habits is counter productive .
We would all like to see you remain healthy to enjoy this bow season , not end up in surgery .
 

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