Here's a strange one. I'm having trouble drawing my bow...as in I can only come to full draw about half the time. I haven't done any new exercises or had injuries. No changes to the bow. I shoot pretty regularly usually a couple days a week anyway probably 50 to 100 shots a week. I don't have terrible shoulder pain that somes guys talk about when having bow problems but there is a little burn or discomfort in my shoulder and elbow when trying to draw. If I'm all warmed up and in a t-shirt I stand a pretty good chance but if cold and bundled up I can't hardly do it. I'm only a touch over 60lb drawn and it's never been a problem before. I've shot friends bows at 70+ just to try the out. Anybody ever have a problem like this? I think I'm embarassed. It's like I've forgotten how to draw a bow.

Are you sure nothing has changed on the bow????

Pretty sure. I put the old bow on my bow scale...sort of bow scale... and it only showed a little over 60lbs. It drew nice and smooth on the scale.

I don't know man, but when I get too cold I have a lot of trouble drawing back. I have to keep pumping my fists in the stand if it's cold out to keep the circulation flowing in my arms.

Any in general shoulder, elbow or knee stifness or burning?
Here in New England, it is a sign of lime.

I've had the problem before also. Like said when it's cold your muscle seem to tighten up and makes things tugh. I always daw my bow 1-2 times as soon as I get in stand and set up. Gets the blood flowing and strechs thing out. I also flex my shoulders and arms and things just to keep things warm and loose. Don't be embarressed it happens. GGOD LUCK!!!

I had that problem last year and it turned out being a pinched nerve in my neck (cervical spine). I had no pain but occasional occurances of pins and needles in my arm and hands. Any trouble opening jars?

Don't know that I've tried opening a NEW jar of anything since this started being an issue. I have noticed a little of the pins and needles feeling. Seems like my entire right arm wants to fall asleep very quickly now. What did you end up doing with the pinched nerve?

See if you can get refered to a spine Dr.

My dad (in his 60's though) had trouble with his arms similarly and ended up having to have a cervical fusion of two of the neck vertabrae and the Dr. told him if he had kept messing with the Chiro that he would of ended up paralyzed.

Crank that bow down...No need to draw 60+ when it is cold and your cold and stiff..... Try it and see if it helps.

Physical Therapy and traction helped the most for me but everyone's case is different. With your symptoms of loss of strength and pins and needles you should probably vist your physician. An MRI will show whats going on and they are painless.

What rwilliarp said is correct. I had similar symptoms which later turned to severe neck and arm pain. Went and had MRI and found out I had 2 damaged discs in my neck. Did the traction and PT thing but no relief. Ended up with surgery where they removed the two discs and fused three vertebrae together. I would get it checked out and maybe you can avoid the latter. Good luck!

Yikes! I'm going to keep a close eye on this one. I'm rooting for it to be a little authritis at worst but I see some of you guys have been down a much rockier road. Thanks for the replies.

try stretching all the muscles of the shoulder out and do some rotator cuff exercises...you can also try a chiropractor if there is nerve or mechanical issues

CC, Don't play around with this. Go see a doctor! Good Luck! And keep us updated.

I had the same problem, I pulled my shoulder out-I couldn't draw back on a true trophy whitetail. 4 weeks later I thought I had Lymes, someone forced me to go get checked out and man what a relief it is to get the results back as; NEGATIVE!!! The mental relief alone was well worth it!!

I am curious as to what has happened since you posted these symptoms, worse? Better?

Seems quite a bit better. I think there was another factor. I'm not a very big guy and my bow scale was lying to me. I was shooting about 70lbs and I had the problem when making long sits in cold temps. I think the pain I had was just from straining my guts out tryin to draw over and over in the cold. I picked up a 60lb bow and I'm experimenting with that.

Thats great news!
Just be carefull.