Hunting Forum

My son wants to start archery hunting but he is not strong enough to draw a bow that is sufficient for deer hunting.  There is nothing physically wrong with him, he is just a smaller kid.

I don't think there are many substitutions for pulling bow. I'd suggest tuning the bow down to a point where he can pull it but not too easily and let him shoot it. Bump up the poundage when it gets easy for him.

It will develop his muscles and get him really comfortable shooting at the same time. Plus the easier draw will allow development of proper technique and form without the stress and strain.

Just my .02C

I would goggle excercises for archers first. Then for excercise"s if access to a gym do row or pull type of excercises. If that is not feasible buy some bands and use them at home. Try to get so he is is fatigued after 12-15 reps if using bands or machine. He should be sore the next day the first time and rest a day, then do it again just like weight lifting.  If he pulls them with the right arm make sure he does equal amount with left. Also you could get him a light weight pull used recurve or longbow (craigslist or ebay) that he can pull with ease and work from there. Again I recommend if he shoots right handed and shoots 30 arrows have him pull bow back 30 times left handed BUT DO NOT DRY FIRE! Do not get a to heavy bow the first time thinking he will grow into it as this will develop very bad habits later and he will not enjoy it as much. Just my thoughts.

The back muscle is what is used to draw and is best strengthened by duplicating the motion . Unfortunately most exercises won't do this near as good as pulling back a bow , or rubber strap . If that's not an option at present you can start him with a dumb bell . With him seated have him bend forward with arm straight down and put the weight at his hand . Then he pulls it straight up to the chest , moving the arm shoulder and elbow in a bow draw fashion .

MRD is right on, those back muscles are the target. Good old pushups and the stretching of the arms, try to touch fingers behind your back are always helpful. I use a recurve bow to build my strength, and it's fun as well.

I have therapy bands I keep at home and work. Use them while watching TV and on breaks at work. There are some special tools on the market that simulate pulling a bow. I believe they are weight adjustable? I also have a total gym at home that simulates all kinds of low impact exercise using ropes and pully's. Dumb bells is an excellent idea, really works the back muscles. The only thing I would do different is kneel on the bench supporting your weight with the "bow" hand while pulling the dumb bell straight up as suggested earlier. This takes the pressure off your lower back and concentrates all the weight on upper body. (I learned this from a trainer at the gym MRD) I just recently had elbow surgery. I get the stitches out tommorrow and here comes the therapy! I can't wait to get pulling my bow back again!

That makes a lot of sense to concentrate on the upper back (where you need it ) without straining the lower GLW . Good luck with the rehab. my friend .

MRD, doc said the stitches need to stay in another week! He's afraid I will get too active and blow out the wound. It's mainly due to where it's located and will take on a lot of stress. No big deal, I can still stretch but no weights for awhile. I'll have to stick with bow ties! LOL!

I know Cabelas sells bands for exercising that are geared towards archers and come with different amounts of tension to simulate higher poundage bows.