Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Shooting and Hunting => Topic started by: paulc on October 05, 2009, 05:24:41 pm

Title: hunting in the rain...?
Post by: paulc on October 05, 2009, 05:24:41 pm

How many of you take your wooden bows out in the rain?  Just how wet is too wet for your bow?

Title: Re: hunting in the rain...?
Post by: Kegan on October 05, 2009, 05:32:51 pm

I have. Sinew backed white oak. Holds up pretty well for a little while, but it doesn't seem to shoot the same. Maybe my arrows are getting heavier too, I don't know. Either way, I don't shoot as well.

Title: Re: hunting in the rain...?
Post by: Pat B on October 05, 2009, 07:02:22 pm

I have been caught out in quite a few rain storms with my selfbow and had no problem. It isn't the rain that effects the bow but the humidity. You can protect a wood bow from rain but you can't protect a wood bow from humidity.

Title: Re: hunting in the rain...?
Post by: Justin Snyder on October 05, 2009, 07:08:24 pm

A lot of our bow seasons in the Southwest coincide with the monsoon season so you better plan to get wet. It isn't unusual to get more rain in 2 hours than we have had in 6 months. I worry more about my strings and finger tabs than I do my bows.  ;D

Title: Re: hunting in the rain...?
Post by: chasing crow on October 06, 2009, 06:22:21 am

Good point Pat. Being new to this bow world I haven't given moisture while hunting much thought. I will now.

Title: Re: hunting in the rain...?
Post by: Pappy on October 06, 2009, 07:34:39 am

Don't worry about the bow near as much as I do the blood trail,I don't bow hunt in the rain if I can help it for that reason.Especially in the early season when the woods are thick. :)
     Pappy

Title: Re: hunting in the rain...?
Post by: recurve shooter on October 06, 2009, 09:45:26 am

aint tried it. dont really want to. if its dry, i'll hunt. if it's rainy, i'll go hide in the shop and work on my shotgun or sharp point shaped glass things.  ;D

Title: Re: hunting in the rain...?
Post by: banoch on October 06, 2009, 10:15:26 am

Is there a "best finish" for staving off the effects of humidity? Does it depend on the wood? Tru-oil finish looks great and since a lot of folks gun hunt in the rain I assume that it protects the wood well

Title: Re: hunting in the rain...?
Post by: billy on October 06, 2009, 11:37:01 am

I don't hunt in the rain....it gets me sinew all wet and the feathers on my arrows collapse....

Title: Re: hunting in the rain...?
Post by: Bluehawk on October 06, 2009, 05:53:36 pm

I'll hunt in the  rain if its  a  misty type or  off and on light drizzle   NOt in steady or down pour rain   NO BLOOD trail and tough on the equipment    Most rain I hunt in the feathers are fine with a light spray from the wifes unscented hair spray

Title: Re: hunting in the rain...?
Post by: Pat B on October 06, 2009, 05:58:15 pm

Banoch, You don't want to completely seal your wood bows even if you could. The wood needs to breath...and as it is breathing it is taking on whatever moisture is in the air. The best you can do is try to stay out of the rain if possible and unbrace your bow as soon as possible when in wet conditions. If you get caught in a rain storm, dry off your bow as soon as you can and store it in a dry location when not in use.

Title: Re: hunting in the rain...?
Post by: zeNBowyer on October 06, 2009, 11:06:18 pm

Wow  didn't  know that  Pat, thought  bows  were  completely  sealed,  wonder  if that  is  true  for the  evil fg also?

Title: Re: hunting in the rain...?
Post by: Pat B on October 06, 2009, 11:41:49 pm

It doesn't matter with the fg because it is not hygroscopic like wood is. The wood in a fg bow will be effected by humidity.

Title: Re: hunting in the rain...?
Post by: smokeu on October 07, 2009, 10:46:33 am

I heated in bacon grease with a heat gun and then heated in a little bees wax, and then just rubbed on another coat of wax. I recoat it every few trips seems to be good and pretty resistant to the rain, and percipitation.  My fletching seems to suffer though!

Mike

Title: Re: hunting in the rain...?
Post by: PeteC on October 07, 2009, 10:43:39 pm

I'm not near as bad as I use to be about  my self-made equipment getting wet. I don't worry about osage much,cause it's tough,although I still put a few extra coats of carnauba wax on them for insurance.But, I won't take my whitewood bows out unless it's nice and dry. God Bless

Title: Re: hunting in the rain...?
Post by: woodstick on October 08, 2009, 10:28:05 am

i dont go out in the rain but if iam allready out and it rains i will stay and stick it out, ive had some of my best hunts right after the rain stops. i use tru oil on my bows and before season i will put a couple of good coats of min wax on them. i allways dry them off when i can. feathers on arrows well ur kinda stuck there.

Title: Re: hunting in the rain...?
Post by: Pat B on October 09, 2009, 12:06:21 am

Tim, you have had the opportunity to test your bow's finish lately haven't you? :o

Title: Re: hunting in the rain...?
Post by: zeNBowyer on October 09, 2009, 12:14:18 am

You  can  coat  your  feathers to  prevent them  from  becoming water  soaked

Title: Re: hunting in the rain...?
Post by: Parnell on October 09, 2009, 10:16:44 am

I'm in S Florida, so it's humidity central.  My opinion is that Ipe actually improves in the humid half of the year. :)

Title: Re: hunting in the rain...?
Post by: Postman on October 10, 2009, 02:34:17 pm

I like hunting in a light rain - 'specially after a week of trying to sneak around in dry leaves that sound like cornflakes ;D. got lots of  of poly on my osage, seems to hold up well -( have shot it wet after getting back) but no shots taken at deer yet.

Title: Re: hunting in the rain...?
Post by: El Destructo on October 10, 2009, 05:37:42 pm

Rain don't bother Me or My Bows....I've been shooting an Osage Stick for years...and it has nothing on it for a Finish besides Grease..... Had it at the Classic this Year....It seen plenty of Rain too!! I have never had any trouble with it....and it still has no String Follow or any other Ill Effects from Moisture...And Dana.....Cracker and Pappy can vouch for that ....They all seen the Ugly Duckling...... :P