Frozen Bow?

[redneck]

Anyone ever had trouble with their bow freezing up?
I've been trying bowhunting (and deerhunting) for the first time this year, got within range twice but couldn't get a shot. Saw a bunch of deer 2 other times but never got closer than 100 yards. Decided to give it a try today and everything went wrong
It was between 15 and 20 degrees and blowing snow on and off. I went out just to get out of the house at first and figured I'd see if anything had bedded down out back. Made the round and didn't see anything, was thinking of going in after about 45 minutes. The snow stopped, wind calmed down and the sun came out. It was about 4:30. I decided I'd go sit along a trail they've been following in the evenings and wait to see if anything decided to get up since the weather was calming. On the way back, I stopped and figured I'd pull my bow (Bear TRX 300) a few times to warm up some.
I couldn't pull it. Tugged and tugged. Bent the shank on my release. Swore a bunch and headed to the barn . Got warmed up a little bit and straighened my release. Picked the bow up and gave it a pull and it worked fine.
I turned the draw weight down a turn (I had turned it up 2 turns last week when it was warm out and shot without any trouble) figuring maybe I couldn't pull as well with all the clothes on and being cold. Knew that something was definitely wrong though that I had bent a release tested to 100lbs.
So I went back out and picked my spot in some briars. Took my knife out and cut a little opening to sit in. Finally got settled in and figured I might still have a chance even though the weather was getting worse again and I'd been moving around so much.
Every 10 minutes or so I'd check real good to see if anything was coming and then I would draw my bow a few times to try and stay warm and keep it working. It kept getting harder to pull. Finally about 5:30 it was getting dark, still hadn't seen anything, and I could hardly pull my bow so I went in

So is it common for a bow to freeze up like that? I haven't put any kind of lube or anything on it. Haven't shot it a ton, but enough to be comfortable with it and hadn't had a bit of trouble until today. This is probably the coldest weather I've used it in though. Any tips or ideas? Thanks in advance

 

[Lennyjoe]

First I heard of it. Sounds like moisture set in either on the string, cables or maybe the limbs. Once it warms up they let go. Wierd.

I took my bow that I use here in Az with me to WVA last winter. Hunted in 19 degree weather and the bow pulled like a dream at 19 just like it does at 100. I never took the bow into the house the whole time I was there. Left it out in the trunk of the car.

 

[Kingcreek]

I've been bowhunting for 25 years with compounds (and with recurves before that) and I've never experienced what you describe. I've hunted in sub-zero weather and it might effect stiffness of limbs and speed somewhat but its not like you describe. might want to disassemble and degrease axles, and bearings and lube with dry graphite. also check cable slide if it has one. before I did anything I think I would hang the bow outside or put in a freezer while keeping yourself warm inside and try it again just to make sure its not a cold hunter problem. I know you said the release bent and that would sorta rule it out but cold seems to affects me more than my bow.

 

[redneck]

Thanks guys I'm sure me being cold was a big part of it, but the release bending still bothers me. I've got to go do some work at the barn here in a minute and will probably take a few shots and make sure everything is still working right, then I'll let it sit and get cold and see if there's any change.
Luckily, gun season opens monday....so I'll have other options here for a few days anyhow

 

[MDHunter]

Arrows and Cold Weather.....

Redneck,

I haven't experienced the bow issue you mention - but I DID ruin two arrows today in Maryland, shooting blunt points at a squirrel out of my treestand!

About 10:30, and about 25 degrees on the mountain and windy - COLD morning. Shot at a squirrel below my stand twice - the first arrow missed him and hit a rock under the leaves, and it drove the blunt point into the shaft (as I later discovered).....he ran about 5 yards and stopped, and I shot at him again with my other blunt point - heard the arrow ricochet off something, probably the log he was on.....when I stopped hunting about 11:30 and went to retrieve the arrows, the second one had shattered into about 4 pieces! I shoot carbon arrows, anyone know if they get brittle in cold temps?

Let us know what you find out about your bow issue.....

Michael

 

[redneck]

Well I went out and shot it last night and things were a little bit off at first. Tinkered with it a little bit, and worked on my form a little bit and got it to shooting good at 25 yards again. So I let it sit while I rode my horse and fed them all and got some stuff done, then picked it up again and tried shooting it a few times. No problems what so ever. Of course it was probably 10 degrees warmer last night, and I hadn't been out in snow or anything. Don't really know what the deal was but I'm going to try and find time to shoot it every day here for a while and see if anything changes.

Haven't had any issues with brittle arrows but I've only shot bales of hay so far. The box the last 6 arrows I bought came in, said that carbon arrows could shatter on impact and should be checked carefully before each shot. Also said you should carefully check the meat around the area the arrow hits when you are hunting also.