How many older bowhunters...
Equipment
...do you know who don't/haven't had shoulder problems?
No operational definition for "older" to provide. I just mean guys who have shot bows for a longer period of time. (I know, what does "longer period of time" mean...)
But Roy, I think you know what I'm getting at here.
Been shooting since '77. Shot compounds for the first 18 years or so then switched to recurves. Have had to back off a few pounds but shoulders/back still feel ok. (Will turn 71 next week.)
I’m 73, been avidly bowhunting since I was 26 years old. I shot 70-75 pound bows until 4-5 years ago, then dropped to 62/63 pounds. I'm lucky in that I do not have shoulder problems. I have worked out several times a week with light weights for about the last 20 years. That may have helped me. If I had to do it all over, I’d have dropped to lower weight many years earlier. The 70 plus weight is simply not needed for anything in North America.
77 next month and shooting a 50# compound. Way down from the past when I shot up to 80#s. If I had to guess, my 50#s today, probably has as much kenitic energy as my compounds of 25 years ago.
Scoot:
Actually, I don’t. Are you asking folks to respond that have pulled bowstrings for, say, a certain amount of years? Example: Those who have pulled strings for 30+ years or are you saying those who are say, over 60???
68 years old. I started shooting a bow at 8 years old. I have no shoulder problems while shooting a bow. But sometimes I do playing golf. I shoot all year in the back yard.
I am 48 been shooting bows for 35ish years. Jacked up both my shoulders but don't think shooting was the cause. One fell on ice and broke in two place then frozen shoulder after sling. Other in early 40s decided lifting heavier weights then I probably should've been causes me a lot of problems with other. Knock on wood neither is perfect but they work ok.
51, been shooting for 38yrs. No problems other than some nerve issues from shooting fingers a lot. But, I run every day, am somewhat regular with pushups and core work, and never had an urge to shoot high poundage bows. Point being I've tried to be somewhat proactive in my health to postpone some of these problems as long as I can.
My parents bought me my first bow when I was 15. That was 37 years ago. This summer it would take about 10 shots to loosen up my shoulder. But I still pull 70 lbs and don’t plan on turning it down in the near future.
Roy, I understand what you're getting at (I think) and I'm not trying to be evasive with my response. You're asking for a very specific definition of "older bowhunter", but I don't really have one because my question is intentionally vague. I don't want to draw some abritrary line in the sand regarding age and possible shoulder problems. If I say 30 years of shooting a bow, does that mean 29 years of doing it won't matter, but something magic happens at the 30 year mark? Artificially dichotimizing a continuious variable based on a wild guess isn't helpful IMO.
I've just noticed the number of bowhunters who have shoulder problems after shooting a bow for a long time. Maybe it's just a function of age and not related to archery at all. In fact, most of the people I know pretty well are bowhunters, so maybe my sample is just biased. Curious about others observations related to this. The other thread about poundage and drawlength sparked a thought and I thought I'd ask about it. Sounds like we have some bowsiters who have good shoulders, in spite of shooting a bow for a long time, which is great!
52 years of shooting the recurve. got my first hunting lic, vermont 1972. i have shot heavy recurves my whole life except the first five years. no shoulder issues. i attribute that to heavy weight training since i was 18 yrs old 66 yrs old now i shoot 62 lb recurve with a limb clicker so i hold at full no snap shooting
There are a few of us that have shot 70 to 80# bows all are life, and have no shoulder problems, but most of us have dropped that down in the 55-60 range as we hit 70. and at 78 I should go to 50. Still no shoulder problems but strength isn't what it used to be. i Did lots of pushups and situps as well as weights and ran my whole life. It makes a difference.
I have some shoulder issues, but not related to archery, other than it impacts my shooting a little. I dont consider myself old though, at 5 zero.
I'll be 68 next month. To answer your question, no, I don't have shoulder issues from shooting my bow.
I do have tendinitis in both elbows, but it's not from shooting, but from working 41 years.
Aches like a son of a gun while drawing back.
My bow is set at 60. Pulling isn't an issue now, and I'm considering dropping down to 57 or 55 for next season.
61 and surgery on both. Not archery related.
I’m 51 and have been shooting a bow pretty darn consistently since I was about 11. So 40 years of drawing a bow. I also played professional baseball for a bit, so additional wear and tear of the shoulder capsule on top of archery.
I had one issue with my right shoulder when I tried to draw on a deer and the string lunged forward before I was ready to shoot and I “re-drew” 1/2 way back and felt my shoulder pop and it hurt for a week or so. That’s it.
But I do feel if you train consistently with weights and stay strong over all, you should minimize any risk of a true shoulder injury directly related to drawing a bow.
I understand what you’re saying Scott…..just wanted some parameters.
I’ve been shooting bows for over 40 years…..no shoulder problems. Used to shoot high poundage, but with the efficiency of today’s bows, I have settled at 55 pounds.
no, i do not know of anyone that has or had shoulder problems from shooting a bow.
I’ve been shooting a bow for over 30 years. Granted, not as much as I used to. No shoulder issues here to speak of. However, I sure heard of several people who suddenly started having shoulder issues once crossbows became legal….
Ron, that's interesting! How many bowhunters do you know? I know a ton of them from our archery club and I think the majority have had problems with their shoulder(s). I'm not saying archery is the cause, but I'll certainly admit I'm wondering it, and that's why I asked the question.
I’m guessing how much you shoot has more to do with shoulder issues than age.
I've been an avid archery hunter since 1978. It's my 2nd biggest passion falling right behind my wife and family. I started having shoulder problems in 2022. Physical therapy wouldn't touch it. Switching to a longbow from a compound made it manageable. For whatever reason I shot my longbow without pain. A few months ago my wife talked me into seeing a chiropractor and I've been shooting my compound ever since. Basically, a bad car accident in 2001 and too much looking down at my phone was causing some circulation issues from the neck to my shoulders. Staying active and body weight exercises a couple times a week have kept me shooting my compound.
I'll be 60 next month, so I'm not "OLD". Had surgery on both shoulders but it wasn't because of bow hunting.
Turned 78 on the 10th and as we all know getting old is not for sissies had rotator cuff surgery and a bunch of bone spurs removed ouch I’m still hunting my bow is around 50 pounds with an arrow weight of 500 grains good luck Lewis
I'm 70 and have been shooting a bow since I was 10. I shot relatively heavy stickbows (60-70#) before dropping down to 57#. I shot a LOT, almost every day in the backyard from March-December, 3-Ds weekly, etc..
A few years ago I started having shoulder pain when, and after I shot. No arthritis, but tendon and ligament issues. Impingement, tendonitis, etc.. After two lengthy PT regimens over a couple years ofnworkingnwith a Orthopod, I can now shoot a 53# compound mostly pain free. If it does flare up, I can lay off for a few days and I'm OK.
I work out with free weights, kettlebells, and resistance bands, and avoid certain lifts that cause pain.
I can't say that archery had anything to do with my problems. But it did consistently aggravate it to the point where I had to make some changes. I'm lucky to still be doing this, and my only "major" surgery has been the infamous hip replacement.
My lifelong hunting partner has wrecked rotator cuffs and had to quit building his awesome bows because he could no longer shoot them. He can't say whether archery had an impact, or whether it was everything else in a highly active life of stressing his shoulders.
What I do know is that of all the people I know who have had non-injury shoulder problems and/or surgeries, most all of them are longtime bowhunters.
I've also met quite a few relatively young, apparently "able bodied" guys in Wyoming who shoot crossbows because of alleged shoulder problems. Funny how they are quick to tell me that tidbit, as if hunting with a crossbow during archery season was something they were ashamed of?
I will be 63 and have been shooting since I could bend a stick with a string. I know I have shot for years the wrong way and not using my back. All the info out there now states the importance of using your back. My shoulder is sore after shooting, but I know I have done damage from not using back muscles. I shoot a recurve and I can tell the difference when I engage my back. The same is true for compound shooters. Do yourself a favor and search youtube for correct ways to draw a bow, it may save your shoulders.
37 years of archery, I don't shoot all year, just a month preseason and during the season, 60-65lbs for deer and bear and 70 for elk and moose, the shoulders are good so far
I’m 72. Been shooting a compound since 1978. I never shot over 70 pounds, and am down to 53 pounds. Used to shoot competitions every weekend, but gave that up 20 years ago. No shoulder issues, but a friend asked me to shoot his son’s bow last week to check it out. Don’t know the pounds, but my shoulder hurt the next day.
Almost 61. Not too much for shoulder issues but definitely tennis elbow in my bow arm.
Almost 64, did martial arts for about 25 years, injuries from broomball/hockey, falls during skiing and working on the roof. Still shooting 44# recurves and compound a little over 60#. Sometimes it goes well on those other days it doesn't. Hurts to paddle the kayak canoe or cast a fishing lure, fly. Lyme disease survivor 30 years ago.
I stick to close ranges, shorter tree climbs and sometimes stick to the blind only. Physical therapy 1-2 times a month, Tumeric gummies help a lot.
Shot crossbow only one season when it got really bad. Not a hunt I prefer to do. PIA to handle in the woods, shoot the same as a gun so might as well use gun, muzzle loader to hunt. After 50 years I still prefer the long archery season and being able to see the arrow in flight.
Shot a nice buck at 15 yds this year, he barely went 40 yds. Could have made that shot with any bow.
I am 75. Love Cameron Hanes, KEEP ON CHARGING
35 years of archery-no shoulder problems here. (fingers crossed for the future) I have had carpal tunnel in both hands however. I am sure it has more to do with my career, but a ton of shooting in my past I am sure contributed to that also.
I just can't believe JohnMc is 48
86 yrs old. Been shooting year around since 1960. Never shot a bow that was over 62 lbs draw weight. Have shot moose, elk, griz, and caribou with draw weights under 60 . No bow related surgeries. Now l shoot 50 lb compound. Started out with. a 43lb Hoyt recurve.
64 and currently no shoulder issues yet. I shoot 65lbs.
"Ron, that's interesting! How many bowhunters do you know?"
Not many, just a few.
ill be 71 in June been shooting since 18 Count my blessings no shoulder problems
I joined a club & NFAA & bought my 1st real bow in 1956. I bowhunted Illinois first EVER Deer season in 1957 (missed 4 shots). 1958, 1st day out, 1st shot arrowed my 1st Deer. Now, 2024 IS my 68th year bowhunting & I started competing again in 2010 (state, sectionals & a few National events I "try" to make). I've been blessed with a wide variety of Biggame (mostly public, DIY when out of state). Not been out for Deer this year as letting a handicap hunter have my main small private spot & the son & G-kids are doing the rest. They have arrowed 2 nice Bucks & a Doe.. Soon to be 83 & looking forward to indoor spots.
It's 2024....if you think something is true....it's probably not.
62 years, been shooting bows 45 years. Also spent those same years painting and spraying finishes every working day. I would think I was ripe for shoulder issues, but none so far. Everything else hurts or is arthritic, but shoulders are good so far. Might be the fistful of supplements I take every day, but I dont know. I actually think the switch to lightweight stickbows helped my shoulders, no rollover on the cams or long holding.
I just turned 86 and have been shooting bows since 1955 (about 69 years). For about 40 of those years I shot compounds at 74 lbs ( mostly Mathews and shot a PSE at 80 but did not care for draw cycle). As others have eluded to I can get as much energy out of a 50 lb. PSE today. Until recent years, I shot every day while reducing weight in increments over the years. I work out with weights and do pushups reducing these in increments also. I will not resort to the Xbow but I have kept an old Mathews with a drawlock in case I can no longer shoot my PSE and want to hunt. It hurts to pull my bow but I can get a pretty accurate first shot off. My shoulder does hurt after shooting but also after weight lifting workouts and other types of work also. As far as what causes my shoulder problems, I do think that shooting the bow (especially at higher draw weights) is a major contributor to my shoulder pain as well as heavier weight lifting. As others have stated, I really cannot say that for me shooting a bow over all those years caused the shoulder problems or just old age.
76. Shootin bows since I was 15. Long time. Never shot over 60#. New RX8 pulls easy. Work out 5 days a week. Take care of ur body and GODS blessing helps.
I think I got my first bow at age 10, so that’s 62 years of shooting. 78 to 83 I shot a compound, but then went back to recurves. I have never had more than minor shoulder issues, all my bows are between 55 and 60 ish lbs.
I started bowhunting in ‘78, and pulled 70 lb. until about 10 years ago when I went to 65, then 60, then 56 before I gave it up. I have shoulder issues but it’s from treating my body like shit when I was younger, not from drawing a bow. I’m sure if I had tried to hang with a 70 lb. pull it would not have been good towards the end.
80 here, have two recurves to hunt with one 50# one 60# pretty much use the lighter one, no problems yet.
64 years-old and have shot bows for 50 years with no significant shoulder issues. I do have a fair number of friends that do. They normally shot very heavy bows (80 lbs or so) when they were younger, while I never shot over 70 lbs. I still shoot about 65 lbs with no issues.
OK....I'll be the outlier here.
I shot pretty high poundage bows (100+#) for about 20 years. From 2004 to about 2010, I shot almost every day. Not chest thumping here, the poundage just never seemed that difficult to draw and I really liked the flat trajectory that the bow offered. I had always hoped to go bowhunting for elephant, so the higher poundages made sense because of African kinetic energy minimums. Pat LeFemine and I were scheduled to bowhunt for PAC elephants in 2015. Our permits were revoked about 5-6 weeks before we were supposed to leave.
I turned 60 the following year, and decided that since an elephant bowhunt was probably never going to happen, I should start to lower my draw weight hoping that it might extend the longevity of my shoulders. Now having just turned 68 last month, I am only drawing about 72# on one bow, and 75# on my backup. So far, my shoulders still feel pretty good. However, I also think that bowhunter size needs to be taken into account here. I am about 6'4" and have weighed 230 lbs +/- 10 pounds for the majority of my adult life. A 100# draw weight was approximately 43% of my body weight. In terms of proportion, that is no different than a 175 pound bowhunter drawing a 75 pound bow. I know several bowhunters that possess that exact body weight and draw poundage, though they are younger than me.
I will also state that I agree with what several people have already mentioned....with the technology that is now available, a 70# bow can kill any terrestrial mammal on the North American continent..... as long as you are accurate with it. I must also admit that I have made a couple less than perfect shots over the years, and yet most (not all) of those animals were recovered....sometimes because of the trauma that the additional poundage provided. While preparing for that 2015 elephant bowhunt, I was amazed to determine that the new (at that time) Mathews Monster (75#, I believe) with a 5" brace height generated 1-2 pounds MORE kinetic energy than my vintage Mathews Safari Custom set at just over 100 pounds. Ricardo Longoria also turned me onto small diameter arrow shafts which also made an enormous difference as it relates to penetration.
If that technology had been present when I was younger, I would have never bought a high poundage bow. Fortunately for me, my shoulders haven't cared.....
“I will also state that I agree with what several people have already mentioned....with the technology that is now available, a 70# bow can kill any terrestrial mammal on the North American continent.....”
Probably safe to say On Earth.
I’ve had both shoulders fixed but I think a lot of the damage was from years of hard work and some riotous living when I was young and dumb. Thankfully I can still pull my bow, although I’m mindful of it.
49 here, shot a lot of arrows over the years. My shoulders feel fine to this point. I’ve never lifted a weight or set foot in a gym, but work physically almost every day. I have tendinitis in my elbows that is hard to shake, but I would blame that on work more than archery. Mostly it just sucks getting old.
—Jim
64 here and I do have a shoulder issue but it originated from an injury sustained in college.
63, started shooting 58 years ago.
I have 3 tears in my right shoulder from a non-archery injury, that was probably aggravated by being "over bowed" when I was younger. Somewhat relieved by Platelet injections 5 years ago. I regularly ice and stretch my shoulder, just to "maintain" it.
I shoot a compound @ 65 lbs, no issues.
46 been shooting since I was 10 or 12 and always shot 70-72 pounds but I currently shoot 65 pounds and I’m thinking about 60-62 for my next bow just for ease of drawing as I only Bowhunt deer.
52 and I've been shooting bows for 47 years.
I tore my rotator cuff in 6 places to include a full depth tear and a torn bicep tendon a couple years ago in a fall. I had surgery in January and hunted with a 50# recurve that fall.
I'm currently shooting a 55# recurve daily and no shoulder problems. I would not hesitate to drop weight if I had to but so far, so good.
I’ll be 64 in February. Both shoulder have given me minor problems in the past few years, but it’s certainly not from shooting my bow. It’s 99% work related. I don’t shoot a ton, but I began having issues in both shoulder joints, to the point where it was almost too painful to draw my bow more than a couple of times. I dropped my weight from 70 to 65 and that helped a bunch, but still uncomfortable. Dr said I had a touch of arthritis and some calcium buildup. He prescribed Voltarin and within a few weeks, my shoulder pain pretty much disappeared. It will occasionally bother me, but it’s worlds better than it was.
Had issues in my late 40’s Shoulders are better now. I gave up sugar and carbs and my major joint inflammation and pain is now non existent. The shit people put in their bodies can effect them in ways never imaginable.
I am 64 and been shooting since I was 5, started shooting competitions . Started bow hunting deer in 1974. Shot a lot of tournaments in the late 70’s and 80’s. Love to shoot arrows.
Years ago I got involved in Bionic Bowpulling contests. A fellow from Topeka, KS traveled the country putting these on. I weighed 155-160# at 5’11” at the time. I could pull my body weight with a compound or recurve, and consecutively pulled a 125# compound 130 times in front of 80 witnesses.
I shot compounds for competition in the 85-90# range and recurves at 73-78#.
As I bought newer bows I dropped my weight to 74#. The newer bows were just so efficient.
Then a horse ran over me in 2006 and tore my rotator cuff. No surgery but a year of rehab. In 2014 a bicycle accident on the same shoulder caused an impingement. Had to drop to 63-65# on my compound. In 2022 a work accident, on the same shoulder and a grade 2 AC separation. That one was the worst. 85 trips to PT and I am comfortably shooting 63# again.
I had conversations with 2 PT’s about what I used to do and if they thought it contributed to my shoulder injuries. Both said no, and both agreed it probably helped me get back to the level I am at now.
That’s my story. And I should add I shoot right and left handed, traditional and compounds.
it is good to see many still doing ok. 82 myself , had to call it quits 10 years ago. miss the mountains and wildlife..
“I will also state that I agree with what several people have already mentioned....with the technology that is now available, a 70# bow can kill any terrestrial mammal on the North American continent.....”
Probably safe to say On Earth.
I've been shooting recurves n longbows since 1974/75. Honestly, 90% of all my bows have been under 50 lbs ..even when I was young. I had surgery on my left shoulder about 8 years ago but thank God I can still shoot my bows and no shoulder problems. Biggest issue I have is of I go a while without shooting my recurve my muscles take a few shots to get limbered up..lol
Scoot, Thanks for starting this interesting thread. A lot of us old guys have similar backgrounds and feel the same about this subject matter. I see that others feel how hard it is to say "Goodbye" to archery and bowhunting as I do. My feeling is that we may have lived in the best of times with respect to bowhunting. "Yesterday" we thought that "Those days would never end" , Badbull.
I am 64 years old and have been shooting a bow for 48 years. I have my bow poundage set @ around 67# right now and have had no shoulder issues. I did put a slight tear in my Latissimus Dorsi (lats) muscle while practicing on October 8th of this year, but it's healing and starting to feel better.
Bulletproof your shoulders! Get some good resistance bands and work them twice a week.
I'm 68 closing in on 69 and I have been shooting since I was 5 years old. About 30 years ago I was shooting a 72# longbow, Then after a few years I moved to 63-65# bows. At this time I am now shooting a 49 # longbow and I shoot through almost all my deer. I do have some shoulder problems but they are from working construction for 47 years and some playing ball. Actually shooting my bows regularly makes my shoulders feel better if they get to aching.
72 and shooting 65#s for last decade. Before that I shot 70#'s for 4 decades. Over 50 years of bowhunting, some 3-D shooting and obviously practice without shoulder issues
I’m 63 and 11 years ago I had my right shoulder pretty much completely rebuilt. I’ve been shooting bows for 40+ years, but the shoulder issues were from the other stupid stuff I’d done in the past. I’m much more conscious of the shoulder issues now than before. Used to shoot 89#, now 65. I definitely do some stretching before shooting if possible. I guess I listen to my body more now than I did 20 years ago, I don’t heal and recover as fast as I used to. Been told that’s part of getting older.
40 here and shoot 70 pound compounds and sticks from 50-55 pounds. Shoulders are good, had a few pains a couple of years ago. I started hanging on a pull up bar and my shoulders amazing these days.
I am well into my 50's and thank God, I have not had anything of the sort. I do have a good friend that had rotator cuff surgery 2 years ago, at age 68, and had a full recovery. He is 70, and still bowhunts.
82 and shooting for 66 yrs. No problem yet.
I’ll be 71 in a couple months, and have been shooting a bow for 40 years. Both elbows are trashed, not from shooting a bow, but from 30 years of heavy weight training. My shoulders bother me some, but minor compared to my elbows, It’s easy for me to understand now, but I was stupid and overtrained. Seemed like the thing to do at the time, and I’m definitely paying for it now.
Wow - You guys are so old … archery probably has nothing to do with your joint problems.
I've got arthritis in both shoulders. It's more a genetic thing for me than an archery thing.
Thought I was going to have to hang it up a few years ago. Had several years of intense elbow & shoulder pain. I think it stems from a bad neck. Bone spurs, narrowing & bulging discs on 3 levels. Last 2 years have been wonderful. Not sure if something finally healed or retirement took away the source of irritation. Back to shooting 68# with zero pain!
I am 61. Been shooting 50-55# longbows & recurves since 16. That's 45 years. No shoulder issues, bit as I get older, my shoulders get sore sooner than in my younger years after repetitive shooting.
Recurves only since '66. Was at 80# in '86 but went steadily lower over the years. Skreeded acres and acres of mud for sidewalks,driveways,commercial buildings. Truckloads of 4x12x5/8 sheetrock, shingles, concrete forms, etc, etc. 4 shoulder surgeries (open), 2 hernia surgeries, 1back surgery, fell off a roof and broke back and broke heels in 15 pcs. Point is that you can abuse the hell out of your body and still keep chugging along. At 50 lb recurve now and wouldn't change one damn second of my life. Well... maybe a couple.......Mike
" Both elbows are trashed, not from shooting a bow, but from 30 years of heavy weight training. "
And yet so many think they 'need' 70 pound draw bows to kill a 150 pound whitetail.
Almost 67 and no issues in 50 years of shooting stickbows.
It’s been my experience that most Bowhunters claiming shoulder disabilities were those applying for special needs crossbow permits. When they became legal for everyone; I rarely hear of shoulder issues anymore:)
71 and still having fun. In Oklahoma right now shootin em up.
“Enjoy yourself, it’s later than you think….
Age 76, shot heavy weight (65-88 lb) recurves and longbows since 1965 and hadn't had any shoulder problems until I fell hard on the cement this June and tore my rotator cuff.
At 85 years, Compound bow 60 - 65 pounds, recurve bow 55#, no shoulder issues but have kept my arms and shoulders strong by going to gym for the past 23 years. Use light weights and be flexible and build up to that and then do not be over bowed per poundage.
Been shooting bows since 1974. Shot compounds for 7 years . Recurve only for the last 31 years and shooting constantly 80 to 95# recurve now. Just shy of 60 years old.
Almost 60 and still shooting 95# recurve, but almost every day only 80 or 85#. Quit compounds 31 years ago when I shot a 85# Oneida . Benn shooting bows since '74. No shoulder problems now but had some some 7 or 8 years ago, not related to archery, before going from a 70# recurve to a 95# recurve. No problems since and hope to keep that way.
Have had 3 shoulder surgeries and 2 elbow surgeries- all problems have been related to either shooting bows or golf.
I'm 69 and hunted harder terrain this year then ever in my life. I have been shooting since 1984 and thank God I have zero shoulder pain.
Started shooting in 1968 turned 60 this month do have a little shoulder pain 30% let of e wheels at 85lbs probably the causing Factor when I was in my twenties still shooting 300 arrows a week for hunting and national tournament tour
75 next month. Had a shoulder replacement 2 years ago. Shoot a 40# recurve.
Lots of great thoughts here. I use Lewis’s line more and more as the years pass. “ GETTING OLD ISN'T FOR SISSIES”. I’m 76……….almost unbelievable to say it. I’ve been shooting since the late 50’s.
Shoulder issues, elbow issues, knee issues, hip issues, and all body issues creep up on us. My theory is you have to fight it. Walk, run, swim, bike, lift weights, cut wood, or anything that gets you moving. Don’t say you will start tomorrow. Start now…….” Getting old isn’t for sissies”! Happy Thanksgiving. I’m thankful that I’m still hunting.
78 and shooting 63 # Hoyt. No shoulder issues but did get two new knees last winter. feel various aches from age at times but part of the deal. Shoot all winter on our club's indoor range but mostly shoot a Hoyt set at 50 pounds since I may shoot 50 to 100 arrows about 4 or 5 days a week. 60 arrows once a week for a league score. Like others said gotta stay active. Climb a ski hill all summer and hit the Y all winter plus a lot of snowshoeing. Weights etc at home. Spent 2 months in the mtns this Fall. See what this next year brings.
80 here. Had to quit because the thumb is coming off the bone at the wrist from shooting too much. Also, with a spine that is fused in 14 levels doesn't help much.
That's why I'm not bowhunting now. 61 yo. Had left shoulder fixed in 20', gonna do right shoulder March 25'
58 passed my archery hunters educ. at 12 with a 53 lb. Bear Polar. Now shoot a compound at 73lbs. Never had any shoulder injuries.
57 and been shooting bows over 50 years. Primarily traditional bows with a few years of compound shooting in my 20’s. Shot 55-70 pounds with most bows right around 60#.
I had shoulder surgery on my left shoulder when I was 45. Dr said likely due to shooting bows a lot but it didn’t help getting bucked off a horse on the side of a mountain in the NWT.
My right shoulder has been giving me trouble lately. I need to figure out some PT to keep away from the knife… The recovery from the first time was over a year to get back to my hunting weight bows.
At the young age of 75, I've Been shooting trad. for 65 yrs. I shot 72 #s for about 15 yrs. and then dropped down 60#'s and now since I've ruined both of my shoulders I"m shooting 48#s! I just wish I would of listened to all of you to drop down in weight, but no just being dumb and now I'm paying for it! Although, as much as I hate to admit it! I'm shooting better now at the lower poundage! It's been an AWESOME ride all these years! I've taken a bunch of game, everything from Moose to small game! I've met some of the true big time archers over the years and I'm thankful for that! I plan on hunting as long as I can pull the weight and hit the kill zone! I'm now using ladder stands which are great, compared to my climber! Anyway, Merry Xmas to ALL and "Shoot'm Straight" and keep them "SHARP"!
I'm 65 with no shoulder issues...a surprise since I spend 20 of those years as a full time farrier. I've been shooting long bows and recurves avidly for about 40 years. I used to hunt with a 65# longbow but now my 2 everyday bows are 45# and 47# at my draw length.
I can still shoot the heavier bows but I don't see the need.
Mid 60's here.....shooting a bow for a little over 40 decades and worse- years of throwing hours of BP to little leaguers I currently have a little pain in my draw shoulder. It fluctuates.
When I do my Rotator cuff exercises religiously with bands and concentrate on drawing my bow correctly and lifting weights with my shoulders back- the pain goes away.
Beendare, as I deal with pain in my draw shoulder I am wondering which exercise seems to help the pain in your draw shoulder and could you elaborate a bit? Also curious what kind of bow you were shooting 40 decades ago, Badbull.
53 - been shooting since I was 10. No issues at all knock on wood. Work out a few times a week, stay active and shoot 60 lbs. with a really easy drawing bow, Elite Energy 35. Joy to shoot.
Lee
I have been shooting for 78 years . Started with bows made from sampling. Now using 48 and 50 lb recurves. Have a Mathews V3 at 60 lbs for late. season. I am 83.
73 last July. Been shooting 63 years. Current bow is a 53 pound Black Widow recurve.
I guess I haven’t answered the OP here, but I just had a birthday, so I must be “older” now…..
I weigh about #140, though a year ago I came off the mountain at #126…. Still wearing the athletic cut suits I bought in ‘87.
I’ve been shooting low-mid #50s stickbows so much and for so long that an orthopedist mentioned my scoliosis; I have literally shot myself lopsided, and my right shoulder rides noticeably lower than my left.
I have been through rehab on both shoulders, at least twice each, including for a complete dislocation of my bow-side shoulder. Most recently, I have been shooting a #62 R/D longbow more than anything else, though I have to replace that one now; hoping to find a solution around the same net weight.
I also used to be an avid rock climber/boulderer, so I have spent a lot of time hanging from my fingertips, and I used to be a pretty handy bump-skier, so I got really good at taking big impacts to my shoulders and rolling through the hit….
Suffice to say that I have probably been harder on my shoulders than most… But they aren’t near as torn up as they would be if I’d been in construction or a farrier like MGF….
I think I’ve been able to draw heavier than most due to favorable gearing and good technique, but now that my age has almost caught up with my draw weight, I think I had better get my act together with all of the exercises my PTs have given me……
85 and still trying. Been shooting since i was a kid.
My 81 year old client harvested this bull at 8 yards with his 50 pound bow back in 2019. I'm going to 67 shortly and am still guiding bowhunters to there first bull moose
I'm not old but a lot of my buddies are. I don't know how that happened. I've been fortunate to still have pain free shoulders. I think staying fit and working out is vital for aging bowhunters.
If you stay fit, there is no reason for any part of your body to give out on you.
I am 57 years old, been bowhunting since I was 15 ,shot my first doe that year , i pull back 70 lbs , Tom
At 71 I am still shooting 65#-70# Recurves with no issues. Did have my left rotator cuff rebuild several years ago but that tear was caused from playing Hockey not shooting my Bow. 4 days ago had my second Knee replace but that also is from playing Hockey and abusing packing of the mountains with too much meat in a single load to many times.
Over on Archery Talk ‘spine problems’ refers to arrows.
Three years ago I was feeling some pain in my shoulder and had to back my bow down about 10 lbs. I think it was more related to the thousands of batting practice pitches I threw to my boys over the years. I thought for sure I would need surgery.
I became very dedicated at using resistance bands 2 to 3 times a week (still am), and also altered my weightlifting routine toward safer dumbbell lifts. After a few months of that I was amazed at the improvement and now I am back up to my previous draw weight and shoulders are feeling great. It’s been pretty easy to stay committed to my rehab and strengthening routine when being able to shoot a bow depends on it.
Started bowhunting in 65. Missed a couple of years when uncle sam needed me. 75 now and doing several hunts every year.
just turned 74. could not pull my 53lb bow anymore . Are state lets you use crossbow. I just use ladder stands now but I still get out. I set my hunts up to when I can get help getting it out of the woods. My Son or his friends. are on stand by. Hopefully a couple more years.
Go get em Steve - that’s awesome!!
Shoulders & elbows have actually improved since I retired. Now other parts of this old carcass are failing. Have foot surgery scheduled Wednesday and the other foot is not far behind. I hunted nearly every morning & evening of the season right up to New Years Eve. My body is still aching from pulling 15 portable sets & all my cameras out of the woods. Hopefully the surgery helps so I don’t wear out what’s left of my knee. I need to exercise more to be in better shape in years to come. I’m not ready to hang it up quite yet.
