Due to many health issues, my poundage had dropped to lower 40s in the poundage. I had tried to sneak up in my draw weight and did sort of ok with 45#. Then, when tillering a new bow, it ended up at 48 1/2# and I managed some shots thru it and thought that it was doable.

But bad shoulders, psoriatic arthritis and a bad back began arguing with me. I could shoot them but at the cost of causing my form to falter. I am already in rehab for my foot and back due to sciatic nerve problems.

I'm not interested in chasing something that may cost me while deer hunting. Besides, I am a realist and am facing the facts that I have to do what really works for me right now.

So it is back to my 42# which means right now, my Bendy bow. I am 66 years old and have gone thru the wringer health wise, brain aneurysm, heart attack, numerous strokes and a lot of operations, over 20.

So for you guys in excellent health and abilities, I don't want to hear how I ain't trying hard enough or training hard enough. Strokes can be very rough on a person and the road back very very hard. Some things are never recovered, just the way it is. Besides, my half sewn up left eye with cloudy vision doesn't help me any either.

Clint Eastwood once said in a movie as he pointed a 44 mag at a guy that "A man needs to know his limitations." And I believe that he is right about that. This doesn't mean quit, no, just doing what it takes to keep at it. Heck, I use fore arm crutches just to get around off of flat smooth floors.

I'll wait for a while and then one day lower the poundage on the heavy bow to what I can actually shoot. Just because you have a disability doesn't mean that you can't shoot or hunt, you just have to figure out what and how to do it that works for you. What makes me feel alright with the lower poundage is seeing the success of those using even less than 42#. I'm still going to keep trying to push myself but sometimes it is what it is. Jerry

The last time I shot with Ron Laclair he was shooting 35# shrew's very well.

Amen Jerry. You have to do what you have to do to stay in the game. Good luck to you & take care. The deer will fall. >>>-----> Ken

Alrighty then.

Not sure what to say to that, or 'why' you'd even want me to.

Do what what ya gotta/wanna do. At this point, this age, we pretty much all have our health issues to deal with. Some worse than others. But it isn't a comparison, competition, or pity party. I'm in quite a bit of pain from the moment I open my eyes in the morning until sleep offers sweet relief... some, until it wakes me... so what. My deal. Man up i figure. I don't even bother the wife with it. Life lived. Is what it is.

Archery is many things... a personal gauge being one of em.

Right on Jerry! At the end of the day you do what's right for you. The important thing is to keep moving. Glad you are staying active. Once you stop moving the game is over. I'll be 63 in the Fall. I've been working out all my life. I shoot 30# - 38#. Works for me and that's all that counts.

Very well said Jerry! We all have to adapt to our own limitations. Seven years ago this month I was almost decapitated in a horrendous motorcycle accident. The surgeons were able to insert a steel plate in my neck to give me my life back. Numerous broken bones in addition to the three breaks in my neck.

I now shoot 35# because of bone structure changes. I'm one of the lucky ones who not only survived, but enjoy life to the max.

I'm not trying to "hyjack" your thread....only pointing out that we can adapt to our limitations.

Thank you for posting!

Bernie

At the age of 35 I could comfortably pull 80 pounds. Now I am 72 years old and pull 30-35 pounds depending on the bow. Archery is still fun and I killed a nice doe this past season. Just do what you can and have fun doing it. Good luck to you. It isn't a competition, it's a great hobby! - jwingman

it's hard to explain some things like having to relearn pretty much everything from talking to how to use your hands and feet at the same time. I had no comprehension for several years and an intense fear of everything and I mean everything. Had to overcome my fears of simple things like the remote, the phone, the microwave etc. Was afraid to talk to anyone because whatever I did say was not what I thought I was saying. Couldn't spell a 3 letter word or add 1 plus 1.

But by the grace of God, have slowly regained some of it. I count on the word correct of the computer to help me spell and even make real sentences. I have spent the last 27 years regaining what I can do now. Yeah, life is what we make it and it is all about attitude. Frustration is in every day things but it is what it is as is pain. As many of you already know, pain can be a constant thing but you simply man up and do your best to ignore it.

My short term memory can be very lousy at times but still not as bad as it once was. Besides it can always be worse and I've been down that road. And yes, had to fix a lot of words in this but that's ok. My last big bow was a 60# Dan Quillian Gull. Loved his bows, wish that I still had a Bamboo Longhunter in 45# or less.

Hey, tradslinger, you're one tough guy and I admire you for doing whatever you have to do to keep on shooting. I'll turn 80 my next birthday and while I am in extremely good health, I have had to drop down in weight quite a bit, but I'm still shooting and enjoying archery.

Thanks guys, meant to say that earlier. But many of you inspire me to keep keeping on

"Life's tough. But it's tougher when you're stupid." lol That's a John Wayne quote. Just wanted to throw in some levity here.

I've been shooting my 45# limbs for 3-D forever and am 79 years old. I found out last weekend at the BBTC shooting 5 rounds in 3 days the 45# limbs took their toll. One round, no problem but back to back rounds and days I need to drop down. I'm in the market for some 40# limbs which will put me at 38# on my riser.

Shoot what is fun for you no sense in torturing yourself. I’m blessed at 61 years old and find 50 to 55 pretty easy. Still have some heavier bows (65+ pounds) I can still handle and shoot to keep in shape but don’t shoot them as much, why? No as much fun and just not necessary to get the no done.

Adapt, improvise, overcome. Ain’t nothing I’m gonna do with 70# that you can’t get done with 40#. Get er done any way you can, and notwithstanding all else, there’s much re satisfaction to be had than by whatever else. You got this.

Like Taj Mahal said - “Ain’t nobody’s biznis but my own.”

I don’t have any health issues preventing me from shooting up to about #62…. But that could change tomorrow. Enjoy what you can, WHILE you can, and don’t take no $#!+ about it from nobody!!

I will be 78 in a few months. I can still shoot my 55# bows but need a couple days rest between sessions. But dropping down just 5#’s has been helpful. But going down to 45#’s feels even better. But it’s not the shooting that tires me, it’s my bad back that’s caught up with me. Nerve pain from the hips down.

No need to be apoligetic for a shooting 42 pounds.Quite Frankly that sounds pretty dam good for the health issues you have been through and advancing age.Pretty normal inspite of guys who are older who still shoot more poundage than that.Some are better built structurally for that higher poundage at more advanced ages.

Like was said above Ron LaClair was down to 35 pounds or so in his later years.This is a man who shot around 80 pounds in his prime.

I think most older guys will do better at extending thier bow shootin days by backing off on the poundage.Its like high mileage on a car.

I shot around 65 pounds for years.Like many.But have backed off alot as I got to 60 years old.I gradually went down as the years advanced.Gotta be smart and plan for the future.Injuries,overuse and strain can take its toll.Like you said."A man has to no his limits" and then act and proceed accordingly.Older men should have the Wisdom to know the difference.

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