How well to stabilize hunting bow?

[Jtelarkin08]

I am just curious how important proper stabilizer setup is for your backcountry bow? Is it worth the extra weight?

I have my bow shooting amazing with a 12 inch Bstinger up front with 3 oz and a 10 inch side bar with 6 oz. I'm trying to decide if holding that steady is worth the extra
weight.

I'll be on a horseback moose hunt. So I'll have that thing in a sling or pack for 10 strait days

 

[Craig Van Arsdale]

I actually completely removed my stab this year. Didn't stop me from arrowing my Nevada buck. After practicing with it off I was totally confident in shooting without it. Still haven't written them off but I'm going with no stab for now.

 

[Jtelarkin08]

I actually completely removed my stab this year. Didn't stop me from arrowing my Nevada buck. After practicing with it off I was totally confident in shooting without it. Still haven't written them off but I'm going with no stab for now.

Ya I am considering just going with a much lighter smaller stabilizer. I don't think I can make myself ditch it completely tho. I just know my bow is heavy as crap right now.

 

[velvetfvr]

My bow I have to bet is 7-8lbs. I carry it every single step I take hunting. Personally I would rather have myself setup with a combo that gives me the best chance at a perfect shot.

I haven't don't a hunt like yours, but I wouldn't shave the oz to compromise your shooting ability

 

[ckleeves]

I change my stabilizer setup depending on the hunt. High country muleys I run almost the same setup as yours except just a 10" up front and a 8" side bar with about the same weight setup. Elk I just run a 6" Bee stinger since I'm sometimes in thick brush and never shoot very far on elk. Moose I would personally cut way back on the stabs as long as your accuracy didn't suffer to much.

 

[Nick Muche]

With a proper grip, a quality small 8" stab is more than adequate... All about form.

 

[InDeep]

I question this as well sometimes, I have a 10" b stinger on my set up now ..But no that long ago I was using nothing or even a small 3" stabilizer. I have a hard time letting it go !!

 

[OR Archer]

Give this a try guys. Get your heart rate up and the blood pumping and your breathing elevated. Shoot a group with your bow at 50 yards. Do this with and without your stabilizer on. See just how much the extra weight helps or hinders you when your heart rate is really pumping.

I know for me that I can hold much steadier in this type of situation with my stabilizer on, which is a 10" B Stinger Pro Maxx. Ill sacrifice a little weight in my bow for a steady shot in those unforgiving heart pumping scenarios.

At the range shooting under no real pressure you may shoot just fine with no stabilizer. Get the heart rate pumping and the breathing heavy and it might be a totally different story.

 

[Jtelarkin08]

With a proper grip, a quality small 8" stab is more than adequate... All about form.

There is a ton of difference between a 8 inch stabilizer up front and properly balanced bow. I do agree that in a hunting situation a good 6-8 inch stabilizer will be good out past 50 yards. Thats kinda why I'm thinking about taking off the side bar

 

[Jtelarkin08]

Give this a try guys. Get your heart rate up and the blood pumping and your breathing elevated. Shoot a group with your bow at 50 yards. Do this with and without your stabilizer on. See just how much the extra weight helps or hinders you when your heart rate is really pumping.

I know for me that I can hold much steadier in this type of situation with my stabilizer on, which is a 10" B Stinger Pro Maxx. Ill sacrifice a little weight in my bow for a steady shot in those unforgiving heart pumping scenarios.

At the range shooting under no real pressure you may shoot just fine with no stabilizer. Get the heart rate pumping and the breathing heavy and it might be a totally different story.

I completely agree it's a huge difference. My main question is about the side bar. Bc I'll be honest. I think the sidebar is as if not more important than the front bar. To me that back weight makes my bow sit dead in the hand and not float.

 

[velvetfvr]

I completely agree it's a huge difference. My main question is about the side bar. Bc I'll be honest. I think the sidebar is as if not more important than the front bar. To me that back weight makes my bow sit dead in the hand and not float.

Then maybe just use the sidebar. Whatever makes that bow just sit like a rock, use it.

 

[kodiakfly]

Ditch the side bar. I remember "back in the day" a guy wanted his bow to fall forward and be forward-heavy after the shot. That's still how I shoot mine. I am pro-stabilizer, but unless your bow is just so out of whack that it wants to lean back or sideways, ditch the side bar for hunting. I used to shoot indoor spots with a 36" Easton with weights on the end. For 3D I shot a hydraulic stab extended out to 12". For hunting I shot the same stab, but no extensions...all on the same set of bows. Point is, different stabs (and set-ups) for different needs and circumstances. The extra weight and extra crap hanging off a bow isn't for hunting, let alone mountain hunting. Same reason I don't hunt with scopes, single-pin sights and 5gr/lb arrows, though I did of course compete with them. JMO.

Get your bow set and tuned so it shoots with a moderate stab and accept that you'll be under less-than-ideal conditions.

 

[live2huntelk]

For what it's worth, here are a couple articles on stabilizers.....

http://www.outdoorlife.com/blogs/hunting/do-you-really-need-stabilizer-your-hunting-bow

http://wiredtohunt.com/2013/07/17/improving-archery-accuracy-try-a-longer-stabilizer/

http://www.fieldandstream.com/blogs...1-does-brace-height-really-affect-forgiveness

looks like you may have to try it with and without a stabilizer to see how it affects your grouping, especially at longer distances.

 

[5MilesBack]

If I had to, I could shoot the bow without a stabilizer. But I really don't like the feel of the bow kicking up at the shot without any stabilizer on it. At a minimum I've always used a 5" 8oz Doinker, but pretty much use my 10" B-stinger (newer style) for everything now. Only reason I got the 10" was because I got a good deal on it. Otherwise I would have gotten the 8".

 

[rhendrix]

I run an 8" b stinger with a QD, which makes it more like a 9.5" stabilizer. When I need to transport my bow or if I need to shoot in a brush blind or ground blind I take it off. Simple and effective.

 

[E-2]

I am currently using my target bow to hunt and only run the back bar. With the quiver and target sight I need the back weight to balance the bow. This is the first time I have ever not run a front stabilizer. It works with the bow so I went with it.

 

[Nick Muche]

There is a ton of difference between a 8 inch stabilizer up front and properly balanced bow. I do agree that in a hunting situation a good 6-8 inch stabilizer will be good out past 50 yards. Thats kinda why I'm thinking about taking off the side bar

There isn't a ton of difference if that 8" stab up front does properly balance the bow. I'd rather not haul a boat anchor around in the hills

My buddy runs an already heavy bow, bare. Then adds a 14" stab up front and a 8-10" side bar, plus quiver full of arrows... I do not envy him when we are hunting, it's too dang heavy.

My advice would be to find the simplest and lightest weight option to balance your bow and roll with it.

 

[Craig Van Arsdale]

I also run a Spot Hogg Hogg Father so I have plenty of weight on my setup already.

 

[justin davis]

I think stabilizers make a big difference on accuracy. True stabilizers that is. With that said I try not to use them. I practice year round without and strive to be accurate without. I find I can maneuver my bow better in hunting situation.

 

[pronghorn]

The shot you take at an animal is the MOST important shot you will take all year. It is VITAL to make the most accurate shot you can. Put the odds in your favor. Shoot what you have the most confidence in.