Okay, maybe it's just me and maybe I need therapy or something but having just spent over $2K on my new bow I don't want someone who isn't very familiar with compound bows "trying" it. So when a neighbor or family member or somebody with no archery experience asks you if they can shoot your bow (and it is unlikely they can even draw the damn thing and will likely release an unsafe arrow) how do you politely decline their request without looking like a jerk? Or am I being a jerk for not letting them "play" with my bow? sigh BTW...I share my firearms but am in a position to control the situation (for safety reasons) whereas with archery it is much harder to prevent an accident or broken arrow IMHO.
Just tell them there is a possibility that the bow may explode and rip off half their face. That should do it.
I'm still laughing! Seriously, NOBODY shoots my bow! The only other person to have ever handled my bow was the fellow from Lancaster Archery who set it up for me.
I get so nervous when people just want to hold my bow, let alone shoot it! I would just tell them you'd rather not let them any they should respect that bottom line.
So much can go wrong with a bow if the person isn't experienced enough to shoot it. It just isn't safe to just let someone shoot a bow that is not set up for them. You should never let someone sway your judgment on safety. If they can't handle your explanation go let them cry.
Every one of us, at one time, shot a bow for the first time and, at least in my case, nothing bad happened. In all actuality something good happened. I decided I wanted to be a bow hunter. I would let anyone that shows the desire to shoot, do so, with my bows. That was how I got my friend into bow hunting. Now he no longer hunts with a gun. I think I am good enough to help someone through shooting a bow the first time and keep something bad from happening.
I will let anyone shoot my bow. Provided they can pull it back. I shoot a Tru-ball release with a wrist strap, it is very safe for a first timer. I tell them to draw with their wrist. Like a gun, I tell them not to touch the trigger untill they are ready to fire the weapon. I show them the proper way to draw, hold and release. THEN I let them shoot.
I remember I let my uncle handle my new bow. It was a Ridged Hunter 34" giant all aluminum bow. The newest thing out there. Just as I said don't dry fire it! He let it go and it flew into pieces. Now when I let some one touch my bow I tell them not to dry fire it before I hand it to them. Most non archers can't draw it anyways.
I don't mind people trying my bow under careful instruction and super vision. The two things you won't do is sit on my motorcycle or ride my horse (I have general ranch horses people can ride but my main two nobody else rides) Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk
I don't mind people trying my bow under careful instruction and super vision. The two things you won't do is sit on my motorcycle or ride my horse (I have general ranch horses people can ride but my main two nobody else rides) Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk
I don't like people messing with any of my stuff including my bow. I spent my money on it, therefore I don't want people breaking it or messing it up. I would let someone shoot it if they have experience, but luckily I'm a left-hander so most people can't shoot my bow anyways!
Best way I've found to avoid this is to keep it put away and don't show it to anyone. If someone asks "where is it?" (a classic prelude to "can I try it?"), just tell them it's put away. Won't be rude and usually shuts down the question of trying it. Worst case scenario, you get someone who doesnt get the hint, and they say "lets get it!". I'd just tell them it's not a toy and you only use it when hunting or preparing for a hunt. Your not a jerk. People hesitate about letting people drive their cars all the time. In fact even more so if it's a stick. Wait, I know. If they ask to use it, just use this car analogy... "If it were a beater like a POS car, I'd say ya BUT my bow is more like a stick shift Corvette and only I know how to drive it."
Same here Flooper! I'm actually right handed but I shoot left handed. All of my friends and family are right handed so nobody even asks to shoot my bow. At the same time, if somebody that I knew asked and could actually pull it back, I would probably let them as long as I was right there to supervise.
I don't have a problem with letting anyone shoot my bow. That is how you pass the joy along. You give a block of instruction on how draw, aim, and fire. Then under close supervision you let them shoot it. The only way they are going to get experienced is if they shoot one. A bow is a big investment and most people won't purchase it if they don't know if they like it or not.
I let others shoot my bow. No skin off my back. But then again, I shoot a Hoyt and don't have to worry about having a delicate toy like you other ninnies.
