Help! Cold Bow Handle!

[BowVista]

I figured it out while trying to decide if I wanted to shoot a doe. When she first came into my shooting area, I grabbed the bow (off the hanger) just in case, then held the bow for a few minutes while I tried to decide if I wanted to shoot her or wait to see if a buck followed her out. After a few minutes of holding the bow and trying not to move and get busted, my hands got COLD!

I always use some kind of holder/hanger. The above post explains the situation I'm trying to describe.

[jay]

I use neoprene tape on my grip and on the riser shelf also.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Neoprene-Bow-Silencing-Material-Adhesive-Pad-Archery_W0QQitemZ130023397307QQihZ003QQcategoryZ36100QQcmdZViewItem

Bought mine at Gander Mountain.

[jrad]

i lay the bow in my lap until shootin time. i wear fleece fingerless gloves most of the time and rocky leather "shooting" gloves in the winter. but this is east texas and it really doesn't get that cold for long, just don't hold the cold stuff until it's time to use it!

[Xspot]

I use wool gloves from a army surplus store...

[Guest1]

I shot at the Texas ASA state shoot with Scott Whiteford

https://www.johnsongrips.com

BowVista,
The grips this guy makes are really nice looking, but they are not going to keep your hands warm.

I grew up in Wisconsin and have bowhunted there for years, coldest temp being -25 (before windchill) when I archery killed a deer.
My parents thought I was crazy going out then... but the deer were really moving around the remaining cornfields that afternoon/evening (Christmas Eve 1997 or 1998).

I would do something similar to "Bo-N-Aro" or "Bill In SanJose" (tennis grip will look best, variety of colors available).
A metal handle is going to be brutal.
I have always steered clear of them.

I think you can have a pretty bow, or you can have one that will not freeze your hand.
You are going to really have to practice with the added thickness to the handle.

My brother used to try and attach handwarmers to the handle (kind of worked, but not really).

I've used the moleskin or fleece wrapping and when it got really cold I used some old white underwear or wash cloth/towel and wrapped the handle several times... not much to look at, but it was white hanging in the tree next to me.

There is just no good way to hold that bow and wear thin gloves either.
I would grab and hold the bow for a quick shot.
If I removed the bow from the bowhanger and was waiting on a deer to come in while I was standing, I would set the bottom cam or pulley on my toe (it will get your toes cold too) and put my forearm on the top cam while keeping my hands inside one of those muffler/handpouch type things... similar to what Bret Favre wears at Lambeau around his waist, with handwarmers inside.

If you come up with something really good, let me know, there are thousands of hunters "up nort dare hey" that would be interested.
If you do some searches (possibly on AT), I bet someone has already invented something pretty slick, maybe you could rig up a variation of the electric socks????

[Bowhunterman]

I use the Under Armour gloves and that helps a ton!

[Steve W]

those chemical handwarmer bags work and there good for the back of the neck also!

[texag93]

Sitting in the stand a few weeks ago, I kept having to warm my bow hand up because of how cold the handle was.

Weinie!!!!

Kidding...get you a bow hanger and hand warmer like you see the sissy NFL QB's wear. Most even have a pocket to put the heat packs in. Keep your hands warm without gloves. Speaking of, I need to find mine.

[tgridley]

Wrap your grip with vet wrap, comes in any color you want, except camo, and it's cheap.

[DJM]

For cool to slightly cold weather light gloves.For really cold I bought a set of mittens that the finger tips open up on.I opened up the shooting side and can wear my release under it.Keeps the release warm too.


DJ

[BowVista]

Weinie!!!!

Jason, I'm well aware of the fact that I'm a weinie. Truthfully, I screwed up both of my shoulders playing football for the Crane Golden Cranes, and it's effected my hands a lot like arthritis. Cold REALLY makes them tighten up and burn. My right shoulder is completely reconstructed, so I'm lucky I can even pull my bow back when it's warm, much less cold.

Thanks guys. I like those handles, but it's hard to think of putting a $100 grip on my bow. I wasn't aware that the cost that much. I may try the tape idea after all. Just don't want the sticky stuff coming off all over my hands. I'm thinking I might try wearing a thicker glove on my handle hand, and the lighter glove on my release hand (already has a cut out trigger finger).

[texag93]

I have the same problem with cold hands...and feet. Old age I guess(football didn't help any either). I wear a heavy pair of gloves when most would consider it mild to cool weather. I don't like shooting with gloves on though, so I keep my hands in my pockets with nothing on most of the time.

[THellURider]

What about wrapping the handle in like padded tennis racket handle tape or something similar? Perhaps the padding would be a detriment to performance? You could practice with it, or trying something else. Paint on epoxy rubber perhaps?