A longbow is like a fine violin and it deserves the same respect and care.If proper care is taken, your bow will give you faithful service for many years.

Stringing the Bow

There are only two good ways to string a wooden bow. One way is to use an extra string called a bow stringer. The other way is the ancient push-pull method. The "step through the bow" method that is used with modern recurve bows will damage or possibly break your bow. No matter what anyone tells you, do not use this method.

Waking up Your Bow

To get the best performance from your bow, you must teach it to shoot. To do this, string your bow and leave it strung for 15 minutes.

Then, slowly draw it back to 1/3 of it's draw length five times. Then, slowly draw it back to 1/2 of it's draw length five times. Then draw it to 3/4 of it's draw length five times. Now draw it to it's full draw length five times. Now your bow is ready to shoot. You have to wake it up! Do this for the first month that you shoot the bow and your bow will last longer and shoot better.

What Not to Do

• Never draw a bow back to quickly.
• Never shoot your bow in freezing weather.
• Never leave your bow strung when you are not shooting. If you leave it strung overnight, you will permanently ruin your bow.
• Never leave your bow near heat. Do not leave it in the car, in the sun, with the windows rolled up.
• Do not store your bow leaning against the wall. Hang it up, either vertically or horizontally.
• Never draw your bow more than the limit that it is made for.
• It is not a good idea to let anyone else shoot your bow. Most bows that are broken, are broken by a friend.
• Never use arrows that were not made specifically for your bow. Arrows that are too long or arrows that are not stiff enough for your bow, can break your bow.