Hello, This is my first time hunting and using a bow. I geared up and followed everyones advice, got everything I needed and practiced and did really well. I practice every day and today I nocked the arrow and pulled back and when I fired somehow the arrow came off and it dry fired. Thankfully the limbs didn't crack (at least not what I can see), a few guys at the range checked my bow and all seemed well, BUT when I started shooting again all my shots went in the dirt like a foot before my block. I ended up lowering my sight over an inch! Something has to be "off" please help im going hunting on Saturday and don't want to cancel my trip. Thanks for your help!
When you dry fired did your peep move for any reason? Maybe your nock position changed? Anything attached to your string has a good chance of moving when you dry fire.
Luckily for you, a lot of the bows nowadays don't shatter like the old ones did. Most of them are actually "dry fire" tested. Depending on your bow type, it should be fine but it may require a few adjustments before you can get consitent accurate shots again. My reccommendation would be for you to take it to where you bought it or a local pro shop and have them look it over. I dry fired a bow the very day I brought it home (before I shot it the first time)!! I was in my bed room and just wanted to see how good the draw felt compared to my old bow and pulled it back without an arrow in it (yeah, I know, Dumb move). I accidentally hit he trigger on my release when I went to release it and it sounded like a 22 going off. I have never felt so dumb in my entire life. I thought I was going to be sick. Even worse than that was taking it back to the pro shop where I bought it and having to tell them what happened. Luckily the only thing that moved on it was the string shox and I had to replace both of them. I will never, never, never pull another one back without an arrow nocked. That was a pretty big rookie mistake, even though I had been bow hunting for more than 6 yrs, I guess you learn from your mistakes.
My peep has been a pain since it was put on, it keeps sliding up and down, but even with the peep moving I still was able to hit the mark, I adjusted it after the dry fire and that's when I realized something was wrong when it was lined up yet my arrows went in the dirt, my nock seems fine too. What I noticed is that it looked like my string moved like an inch to the right if that's even possible, I drew back like normal yet the peep and string was to the right so I compensated, but don't think I should of had to haha that's why I think something went wrong. I don't know what its called but maybe that long bar that holds the string I think its a shock moved, it felt tight, but how else could the string move to the right lol prob sounds crazy, ill just get it checked. Thanks for your imput guys I appriciate it, I am going to take your advice and go to a pro shop to have someone look at it. Its funny you said it sounded like a 22 went off because EVERYONE on the range heard and went "OHHHHHH!!" at the same time I felt so dumb, like figures I have to be "that guy" haha.
Nine times outta ten you will bend your axle or axles that your cams ride on and that can cause some nasty things to happen and I wouldnt shoot it at all.....when you get this taken care of...have them serve your peep in for you when its adjusted to your eye....Good Luck
Most likely what happened is that you use a release under an arrow that does not contain a nock below the arrow or use a string loop & the release pushes your arrow off the string.......... String loops are great for preventing this / i highly suggest using one..... That & take a look at yor nocks itself - Are they loose ???? replace if needed
I don't know how possible it is, but when my dad knicked his cam on a 2x4 (no really, it just barely made contact when the cam spun back around.) , shooting out of a box blind, he bent his riser. They didn't know about it until they put the strings back on. Maybe check that too. Needless to say, he has a new bow. (Thread Jack) Ironically, he had his other knee replaced, and shoulder surgery just after, and now he doesn't want to hunt until he heals completely. Sucks. cuz I love his bow, and it's just collecting dust in the case now.
Don't feel so bad. The day that I picked up my new bow after a 15 year hiatus, I ended up dry firing it. They had me pull back without a release and my fingers slipped off. After the absolute shock wore off, I grabbed my release. Lesson learned.
I'm sorry to say this but it just gives me the willies thinking about dry firing a bow. Ouch... Good luck. Hope everything works out.
Things to check: Limbs; look for physical damage including hairline fractures especially in the "V" of a solid limb and near the limb mount bolts and axle holes. Look for slivers near the limb pockets. Riser; It's rare but possible to warp the riser. You'd see it if the center shot is off the centerline of the riser. The best way to check this is with a laser. Cams; make sure they didn't warp/bend or collapse. If your string/cables stay in the tracks during the draw cycle they're probably OK. Axles; Have them pulled and rolled on a flat surface to make sure they're straight. Nock point indicator/loop; make sure the serving hasn't slipped and moved these. Peep; GET THAT PEEP SERVED IN PROPERLY!!!! Having it move around is be like hunting with a rifle that has a loose rear sight! Check all the bolts and make sure they're still tight. String and cables; check to be sure there are no broken strands or servings.
Check your limbs buy fluffing up a cotton ball & running it over your limbs ... If anything snags - You should immediately consider bringing it in for your dealer to check......
I also dry fired the bow on the first day I had it(today). It seems ok but now there is little draw tension on the string. What did i do? anyone have any thoughts?
