NEED HELP WITH NEW BOW

[Prebanpaul]

ANYONE OUT THERE SHOOTING A MARTIN BOW.  I JUST BOUGHT ONE.  SHOULD HAVE ASKED THIS QUESTION FIRST BUT WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THESE BOWS.  WHAT MODS SHOULD I ADD TO IT.  THINKING ABOUT A TROPHY RIDGE DROP AWAY ARROW REST AND MAYBE BETTER SIGHTS.  I WILL BE SHOOTING ABOUT  30 YRDS MAX WITH MY BOW WHAT IS THE MINIMUM THAT I CAN PUT THE PULL ON THE BOW TO EFFECTIVELY KILL A DEER.  I HAVE BEEN SHOOTING IT AT 70LBS AND MY ELBOW IS KILLING ME AFTER 30-40 PRACTICE SHOOTS.  I NEED TO SHOOT A LOT MORE.  CAN I DROP DOWN TO SAY 55 -60 POUNDS

[dukkillr]

First, please stop typing in all caps. 

Second, draw weight is overrated.  Shoot what's comfortable, and remember that you have to be able to draw that weight at strange angles, in cold weather, and most difficult, you'll need to be able to let it down quietly.

I shoot a whisker biscuit.  I used to shoot various drop away and traditional rests.  The biscuit is the best.  It's invincible, idiot proof, and your arrow can't fall off.  Good sights are worth the money.  You really can't reliably shoot whitetail deer past 30 yards but you should practice past it.  It makes you more accurate at the closer distances. 

Finally, archery isn't a toughman contest.  If you hurt yourself the only person who loses is you.  When your elbow or shoulder starts hurting you need to back off.

[mg66]

Second, draw weight is overrated.  Shoot what's comfortable, and remember that you have to be able to draw that weight at strange angles, in cold weather, and most difficult, you'll need to be able to let it down quietly.

Pretty sound advice.

The minimum in Illinois for deer hunting is 40# draw weight @ 28" and minimum arrow length of 20". Broadheads must be used with a minimum 7/8" diameter.

I shoot 70# but I am a big ol' boy and am quite comfortable shooting it. I can still have a slow, smooth draw and can let it down easily if the shot is not there. I practice everyday but only shoot a dozen arrows and closer to deer season maybe two dozen. I find this is more than enough to keep sharp and I dont get tired and start losing accuracy which is frustrating and non rewarding. A little of good practice is much more beneficial than a lot of poor practice.

As for rests and all other equipment and accessories, each to his/her own. What works well for me may not work for you and vice versa.

With that being said I use a Muzzy Zero Effect drop away. Had it now for 3 or 4 seasons and it has never moved or needed fine tuning. Although setting it up is not as easy as some. The reason I prefer a drop away rest is that by not having anything touch the shaft or fletchings during its forward travel in my opinion takes another variable away from the equation.

[snapcrackpop]

Here in MN they  (DNR) just lowered the minimum draw weight to 30 pounds.  That should tell you something.

I like the WB also.  Just switched to 2" blazers.  Only down side for me is the WB does wear out after 1-2 seasons such that I replaced it.  No big deal.  I feel comfortable out to 30 yards or so, but practice out to 40 yards.  Dukkiller is correct.  After shooting 40 yards, 20 is a chip shot.

I use an UltraNok so I don't have to worry about string wear.

Oh, and the brand doesn't matter much.  Most new bows are all good to great.
Be prepared to get addicted...

[Aaro]

First things first BACK OFF THE POUNDAGE!!!!. My old shooting buddy thought he was bad shooting a 73lb bow at 30 inches till he fugged his shoulder up and went through shoulder surgery and can probably not shoot a bow ever again and can barley pitch anymore. Its not worth it to shoot that heavy of a poundage when honestly around 50 to 60 is more than enough.
 Now that I have gotten that out Im with everyone else on the Wisker Biscut. Its the most idiot proof rest avaliable and that really helpful when you go to make the shot of a lifetime on a monster. And I second what snapcrackpop said about shooting at 40yds or more in practice makes the 20-30yd shots seem like a piece of cake. Anyways  I hope you have lots of fun shooting cause to me that what its all about.

[charto]

I had a martin Bow till last year shot alot of deer with it liked it. dont see where spending a small fortune on
accessories matters  much, but then im no expert and hardly need the best bow or rig to shoot a deer.

[dakotashooter2]

When I started shooting the standard for determining draw weight was to sit in a chair both feet flat on the ground, hold the bow straight out (extended) and draw straight back (no push/pull). If your feet lifted off the ground or you had to use the push /pull method it was too much. I could work up to about 65# (35% letoff at the time) but chose to shoot about 55#. Kills them every time if you doo your part. Most of the guys I know chose to shoot 65-70# and have had serious shoulder problems. I have never had a bow related shoulder problem and can draw from virtually any position except when the arthritis kicks in. Speed IS overated.

The other thing is keep as much "junk" off your bow as possible. All the junk is what makes a bow noisy.

I prefer the "natural brand" sights. You know Instinctive Shooting. Never have to worry about anything getting knocked out of alighnment no range estimating, no trying to find pins in low light just point and shoot. It's highly effective when you get the hang of it.

[Cottonwood]

First things first BACK OFF THE POUNDAGE!!!!. My old shooting buddy thought he was bad shooting a 73lb bow at 30 inches till he fugged his shoulder up and went through shoulder surgery and can probably not shoot a bow ever again and can barley pitch anymore. Its not worth it to shoot that heavy of a poundage when honestly around 50 to 60 is more than enough.
 Now that I have gotten that out Im with everyone else on the Wisker Biscut. Its the most idiot proof rest avaliable and that really helpful when you go to make the shot of a lifetime on a monster. And I second what snapcrackpop said about shooting at 40yds or more in practice makes the 20-30yd shots seem like a piece of cake. Anyways  I hope you have lots of fun shooting cause to me that what its all about.

Aaro hit it right and is shooting straight when saying backing off your pull draw weight as this will quiet and calm down any shaking that can result in to much pull draw weight just to obtain speed, accuracy is what counts not speed.  I just read an artical last night in Bowhunting Whitetails magazine about doing just that for accuracy and smoothness.  I currently have a Whisker Biscuit myself and love it.  If you get one, make sure it is for your arrow shaft size and this depends if your using carbon or alum shaft arrows, so take one with you or write down the information so you will have it handy.

Sights are another thing as well... I just switched over to Black Gold Flash Point Super Seven is the only bow sight to adjust pin brightness to the available light.  But it is not on the cheap side, as I paid $130.00 for this sight and it flat out works, but there are other great bow sights out there too, I just happen to like this one.

[wareagleguy]

I would think 30-40 shots may be too much at any poundage.  If you start getting tired...STOP.

Also, to test if you are shooting a too high of a draw weight try drawing pointing at your target and not letting the bow rise from it.  If the bow rises, you are too high.  You should be able to point at the deer (target) from a stand and draw without ever getting off the target.  When you can do this it becomes simple...

1. See deer
2. Wait until you see the shot.
3. Draw
4. Shoot