Anything as well-engineered as a compound bow requires special attention between your bow hunting trips. You can’t just toss them in the back of your vehicle and expect them to work effectively. It takes proper storage so the environment or an accidental drop won’t harm your bow.
You need to store your compound bow properly and prevent anyone from dry firing it, which can lead to significant issues.
So, how to store a compound bow securely and safely? First, you’ll need the best bow case, and most often, these are hard cases, as they protect against bangs, where soft bow cases lack the protection. There are other things you need to do at home, as bow cases are just half of the solution.
In our guide, you can learn more about archery bow storage. Many techniques for how to store a bow cover a compound bow, a takedown recurve bow, and any other bow you may have. By the end, you’ll see the care they need and how you can hang your bow, so you can admire its beauty without leaving it tucked away in stuffy bow cases. (Find the Best Arrows For Compound Bow)
How To Store A Compound Bow?
A compound bow case is an excellent start, but you’ll need to care for the bow before storing it. Keep bow wax and a cloth, and always store arrows in a quiver.
You can choose between a soft or hard case. The merits and downsides of both Soft cases are that they are smaller and easy to carry. On the other hand, hard cases have an advantage over others in that you can take them on a plane.
This is perfect if you often use your bow or go hunting with it.
Hard cases protect your compound bow and its components from unwanted drops and bangs, and other protection as compound bows are stored strung.
When storing compound bows, have bowstring wax on hand. Wipe down your compound bow after use and dust before storing.
Best Way To Store A Compound Bow
A hard case will always provide the best protection for your compound bow.
- These cases can keep all your archery equipment and withstand the rigors of travel.
- A decent hard compound bow case is small yet offers enough room to fit in all your archery gear and not take up much space at home.
- A locking bow case does offer the best protection for your bow against curious children.
- Hard cases protect your compound bow from heat and moisture.
- Compound bows constructed of current synthetic materials can be damaged or deformed by excessive heat or moisture.
- Your hard case should be travel-suitable.
Before storing your compound bow in its hard case, wax the string. - This minimizes unnecessary fraying and protects the string from dryness or moisture.
- Before storing your compound bow, wipe it down to remove dust.
- Ensure the hard case you purchase has adequate room for your compound bow and string.
How To Hang A Compound Bow
You can store a compound bow safely by hanging it without using a bow rack or keeping it in your bow case.
However, you must hang it horizontally by the frame to avoid damaging it.
You may see pictures of people storing their compound bows on the wall and hanging them by the strings. This should be avoided because it places unnecessary stress on the strings, even though compound bows can handle a lot of force.
The bowstring is a pivotal bow component and needs to be protected as much as possible.
In the same vein, you shouldn’t hang your compound bow by either the cams or one limb on its own. This puts a lot of stress and pressure on these complicated components, which can harm your bow and make it less effective.
The best way to hang your compound bow is to use the middle part of the frame and the grip to hand the bow horizontally. A set of bicycle hooks or even some screws will do just fine.
This part of compound bows often has a lot of small holes, which are ideal for mounting the bow safely. (Learn How To Build An Archery Target For A Compound Bow)
This avoids putting too much stress on components that are more fragile, like the cams or the string. Instead, the bow’s weight is supported by its strongest part.
You’ll also want to hang the bow somewhere that will provide the most protection from the elements.
Despite the fact that compound bows are comprised of man-made components and materials, they are nonetheless vulnerable to the same risks as wooden bows.
Excess moisture or exposure to direct sunshine and heat can still damage compound bows. The bow’s limbs can distort, rendering it ineffective and costly to repair.
To Hang or Store Away?
You should have the fundamentals for storage once you’ve found the proper case to store your bow.
Even with picking from all the suitable bow cases, the locks and bow string wax are two essential items.
Locks keep you safe as you store your bow, especially against dry-firing or shooting it without an arrow.
This lock will protect someone from being injured by an exploded bow because of repetitive dry-firing and stops anyone messing who shouldn’t.
Another must-have item is bowstring wax, which strengthens your string, extends its life, and keeps it from absorbing water.
Choose a scent-free wax to avoid being detected when hunting; animals have a strong sense of smell.
Your hard case may have foam inserts with spaces for your bowstring, so you can pack it right instead of wrapping it where it could kink tightly.
Lubricating Cams
Allow your bow string to sit for a few minutes after waxing it thoroughly.
After that, you’ll need to lube the axles with oil. You might think it’s ready to be stored now, but it’s a good idea to shoot it first.
This is one of the best ways to get the wax and oil into the strings and axles. If you cannot shoot your bow, pull back the idler cam many times to let the product to seep in and be absorbed by the bow. (Read When Do Bow Sights Work Best)
Long-Term Storage
Compared to off-season storage, maintaining your bow unused for years on end requires a different level of care.
Professionals must unstring bows, although you can do this yourself.
When the strings are unstrung, securely wrap them and ensure they are not getting too moist and extreme temperature changes will damage strings
Besides this, check your bow occasionally to ensure it hasn’t developed rust.
Silica gel packets are suitable for many things, yet not for your bow, as these attract moisture, thus leading to your bow rusting.
How to Store Archery Bows
Whether at home or the range, store your bow correctly. You spend a lot on it, so protect it by storing it properly.
Strung Bow Storage
Recurve bows can be strung or unstrung before storage. When storing a recurve bow, remember that the limbs curve away from you when unstrung.
Takedown recurve bows are usually unstrung before storage. You can even disassemble one to get a smaller amount or case.
Soft Cases
Buy a soft case for storage and transport. They come in suitable shapes and sizes, so you may find one that fits your bow.
Most soft bow cases contain side pouches for arrows and accessories, and soft cases allow you to carry your bow and store it at home easily.
Hard Cases
If your bow needs extra protection, use a hard case. Hard cases are constructed of plastic and thus are more durable.
Hard cases are ideal for extreme outside environments, such as a bow. Most are large enough to store arrows and bow accessories.
Bow Stands
Keep your bow upright with a bow stand. Bow stands are like tripods. Set the bow stand on the floor and mount the bow on top. It protects your bow for both short and long-term storage.
It leaves your bow exposed, so you could damage it if you’re not careful.
Bow stands are used to store strung bows. Placing the bow on the ground may distort it. It also works for unstrung bows.
Bow stands are small. Also, you may take it with you while you shoot.
Wall Mounts
Hang your bow from wall pegs or mounts. Installing a bow is as simple as pounding two pegs into a wall. Rest the bow safe yet accessible on the pegs. A bow rack adds a decorative touch. Racks also feature pegs for your bow.
The hanging pegs must be evenly spaced apart to accommodate half the bow’s weight. They might deform its structure.
Wall hangers are strictly domestic. You’ll still need a separate carrying case for your bow when you go outside. (Read Crossbow vs. Gun Hunting – Pros and Cons)
Carrying Accessories
Using a small case may not allow you to store all of your bow accessories.
Some accessories, including sights, have a tube. Assess whether your bow’s case can accommodate storage tubes containing accessories.
You can also carry your bow accessories separately. Buy carriers as needed. Get an arrow tube for arrows and a tackle box for tools. The bow case may have space specifically for your arrow quiver and archery accessories.
Bow Storage Tips and Tricks
Pack Your Bow for Storage
- If you have a wooden bow, remove the string as long wooden recurve bows distort. To avoid this, attach a bow stringer to the bow’s ends.
- Pull it to the floor and secure it with both feet. Lift the bow until the string is slack, then untie it.
- A recurve bow is a simple string bow with no extra parts.
- Compound bows are built of aluminum or carbon with string pulleys. The string is never removed from this bow unless it is replaced.
- Many modern recurve bows are synthetic. Because they are stronger than wooden bows, you only need to remove the string if you store the bow for a long time.
Pull-Apart A Takedown Recurve Bow
Check the manufacturer’s instructions for specifics on recurve bow disassembly.
- Remove the string with a bow stringer. Then untie the string and store it.
- Finally, remove the bolts that connect the bow’s limbs.
- Only takedown recurve bows are made to be disassembled.
- However, if you have one, you can pull it for storage.
- No disassembly is required if your bow is in a large bow case or mount. Even a takedown recurve bow is fine left whole.
Clean Your Bow
Wipe all the bow’s limbs and other bow parts with a microfiber towel, including the string.
Caring For Bowstring
- Bowstring wax is used to polish the bowstring. First, remove the covering on your wax stick and push it against the string.
- Gently rub along the string until it is fully coated from end to end.
- Massage the wax into the string using your fingers until no visible wax remains.
- Wax reduces fraying and moisture storage while storing string.
- Wax your string every 2 weeks to extend its working life.
Hanging Your Bow
- If you have a mount, hang the bow off the ground.
- For stand mounts, align the bow’s outside edge with the mounts. Again, make sure the bow is a distance from the ground.
- Slide the bow over the mount’s pegs so the bow will never rest on the ground.
- You can hang any bow as two bows will hang the same way.
- Bow hanging is all about balance, and your bow’s shape doesn’t alter in storage when the f the hanging pegs are the same distance apart.
- Other accessories should be stored away from your bow and can be stored in individual tubes, quivers, or another bow case.
Pick Safe Storage Spot
- Choose a cool, stable area: Put the bow case in the back of a dark closet or on a shelf.
- It doesn’t need to be a climate-controlled area, yet a consistent temperature when hanging helps.
- Avoid placing your bow near heaters and air conditioners as temperature changes can harm it, even in a case.
- Extreme heat will deform your bow, so don’t keep it in a hot car.
- Keep any archery hunting gear and accessories from moisture, so avoid a cold garage or damp basement.
- Water ruins wooden and synthetic bows and causes them to warp or grow mildew.
- Choose an area away from foot traffic. If you store your bow in a soft case or backpack, stepping on it can be significant.
- If you’re hanging or mounting your bow, make sure it’s secure.
- If you walk past it, it may be knocked off its holder.
- Carry your bow carefully in a car, plane, or crowded area, and ensure you use a hard case.
- Keep your bow away from pets and store arrows separately, such as in a gun safe.
- Don’t let a child play with your compound bow. Because you don’t need to remove the string, it’s ready to use.
