Storing Your Archery Bow For The Off-Season
Archery season comes and goes each year. When the season comes to an end, do you have a secure place to store all of the gear the sport requires? This gear cannot be stored just anywhere without risking damage to all of the working components. Instead of putting it in the attic, basement or garage, you can store it in climate-controlled storage units. Below, you will find a few tips to help you prepare your archery gear for several months of not being used.
Invest in a Quality Case
No matter where you store the bow, it must be stored in a quality case. The case will protect it from any moisture that is present, protect it from becoming damaged if it should fall or something should fall on it and make it easier for you to transport here and there.
Find a case that is lined with foam and has a hard shell. This will keep the bow secure in the case and provide the utmost protection at all times.
Prepare the Bow for Storage
To maintain the bow in optimum condition, it must thoroughly be cleaned. All of the oils from your hands must be removed, as well as dirt and debris that may have gotten on it while lugging it through the woods. Failure to remove these substances will result in discoloration and stains.
Take a few minutes to oil the cams just before placing the bow in storage. This will help eliminate the risk of corrosion as it sits unused for weeks at a time.
The string can dry out even in a climate-controlled setting. To prevent this from occurring, wax the string prior to storing it.
The resistance of your bow should be reduced. Reduce the resistance by two full turns. Some manufacturers provide owners with an exact guide to reducing the resistance of that particular bow. If you have any doubt about the suggested resistance setting for your particular bow, check with the manufacturer to prevent any damage.
Store the Bow
Now you have the bow cleaned, oiled, waxed, the resistance reduce and ready to go into storage. The climate-controlled storage unit will do the rest of the work for you. The facility will maintain an adequate temperature and low humidity levels to ensure that the bow remains in prestige condition while being kept there.
Do not place the bow case directly on the concrete floor. Instead, store it on a shelf, a pallet or wooden blocks to prevent any moisture seepage through the concrete flooring.
Using the guide above to store your bow during the off-season will help preserve the bow for many years and save you money in repairs, as well as keep it out of your way in your home.