Every bowhunter aims to be as quiet and free from human footprint as possible when hunting. Sometimes, if the bow is too loud, it also bothers target shooters. The latest bow models now come with sound control systems but what about those that lack this feature? That is why you should know how to make a bow quieter.
Fortunately, there is a wide range of methods that can reduce the sound of your bow. These include bow silencers, designed especially for this purpose. Some other options include limb dampeners, bow string stops, stabilizers, and more.
Generally, bow accessories such as string, limbs, arrows, or sometimes the bow shape is responsible for the noisy output. Therefore, before opting for a solution, you must figure out what is causing the faulty sound since it can impact the overall bow’s performance as well.
Stop worrying about how to make my bow quieter and check the following tried and tested methods to silence it.
Silencing Techniques – How To Make A Bow Quieter?
No matter what type of bow you use, it will only feel premium when it doesn’t sound loud during operation. A silent bow enhances the user’s experience up to many times by helping them stay lowkey in the wood.
Determine The Root Cause of Bow Noise
As mentioned earlier, there are various causes of loud bow noise. Before you begin lowering it, make sure to figure out what is making it noisy. These could be improper brace height, loose accessories, screws or bolts, extra long bowstrings, or syncing issues on compound bow cams.
If you are a beginner compound bow user, starting with the foundation helps you get to the root cause and eliminate it easily for a long time.
String Silencers
These are the most commonly used tools for making a bow quieter. You can find efficient string silences in a variety of shapes and sizes. These include whiskers, bats, butterflies, leeches, etc.
Almost all string silencers are made of rubbers to reduce the vibration as you shoot the arrow. Without a string silencer, some bowstrings mimic guitar strings with relatively greater tension, producing obnoxious tunes that can spook the target deer.
The best type of string silencer is the LimbSaver String Leeches. Installing it requires a bow press so that it works properly. It is an inexpensive string silencer that you can get installed by an expert or do yourself following the video tutorial.
Understand the concept of bow weight and length. It is compulsory to learn how to measure draw length and how to measure bow draw weight. A perfectly suitable bow for you reduce noise and increase precision.
Limb Dampeners
As you draw the string, both the limbs of the bow bend toward each other. As you release the arrow, both limbs then propel to their original position with lots of vibration. It is due to the amount of energy stored in the limbs during the draw.
The vibration results in a notable sound that can alert the nearby animals. It won’t be possible to see the limbs vibrate with a naked eye. However, you can only observe this using a high definition (HD) camera with slow motion capture feature.
Installation of limb dampeners differs depending on the type of limb your bow has. For example, if you have a split limb bow, you have to insert the dampeners between them. Some models have screws to secure the dampeners well in place and reduce vibrations a lot more efficiently.
On the other hand, for solid limb bows, you can stick simply stick the dampeners to the side of both limbs.
As compared to the string silencers, the limb dampeners are a bit pricey but offer a whopping 80% decrease in the unpleasant buzzing.
Stabilizers
Stabilizers are highly versatile when it comes to supporting the bow. From shock absorbance to balance, reducing decibels to vibrations, and eliminating the bow noise. These are pretty long and mostly used by expert archers and Olympians. Bowhunters don’t prefer stabilizers because of inconvenience during travel.
Many manufacturers have now started to roll out shorter stabilizers as well that bow hunters can use. Remember, a short stabilizer will absorb vibrations better than a longer one.
String Stoppers
Many people confuse string stoppers with string silencers however, both are different. While a string silencer reduces vibrations, this attachment stops the string completely. As the bowstring hits the bumper portion, it stops completely with no more vibrations. Because of this, the bow operated silently without any loud noise.
Arrow Rest Silencers
In some bows, the arrow rest also causes noise because of the friction between the arrow and the rest’s launcher. Without a silencer, you will notice an easily detectable sound while drawing and releasing the arrow.
With the use of an arrow rest silencer, the contact between the metal launcher and the arrow is obstructed. It eliminates friction and offers a noiseless performance.
Heavy Arrows
Most people believe that shooting light arrows work best for a quiet bow operation. However, in reality, the heavier the arrow, the quieter the bow is. This is because lighter arrows are less likely to absorb vibrations. On the other hand, heavy arrows are designed to absorb a lot more vibrations, resulting in a sound-free performance.
Choosing the correct bow and arrow combination is extremely important in terms of weight. For example, if you pair a heavyweight bow with lightweight arrows, they will flex too much and make a weird noise with every shot.
Similarly, pairing light bows and heavy arrows will fail to bend properly and will feel stiff. Make sure that the weight of both components matches and goes along well with each other. You can seek expert guidance for an ideal combination.
- Use Moleskin
In case the sound doesn’t dampen even after choosing the right combo, use Moleskin. It is a fleece-like fabric, typically heavy cotton that archers and bow hunters use to reduce the noise.
You can place it on the area that is the loudest, for example the arrow shelf. This will inhibit metal-to-metal contact, resulting in an unappealing sound. Many users also stick moleskin fabric to their hands in order to protect them from blisters.
Look For Loose Screws, Bolts, And Cams
If you have tried various attachments but your bow still makes noises, look for loose bolts, screws, and cams. With regular use, bow components can loosen, making clattering and rattling sounds.
Loose bolts and screws are extremely dangerous and can result in bow malfunction as well. If you notice loud sounds while using your arsenal, inspect all of the screws present on the bow.
In case any of the bolts are loose, tighten them using the right set of tools i.e., Allen wrenches. It is a pretty simple task that you can do at home without the need of taking your bow to an expert.
When using compound bows, make sure to check cams as well. Sometimes the issue arises when both cams are not equally tuned. Because of this, the cams stop at different times after releasing the arrows. So, make sure to adjust them appropriately and uniformly.
Conclusion
A silent bow is a true blessing for everyone, especially bow hunters. While it can be bothersome for archers, a loud bow can put hunters in lots of trouble. That said, knowing how to make a bow quieter is super important.
Regardless of your expertise, if you encounter the same issue, make sure to understand all the aforementioned methods. All of them are tried and tested solutions to make a bow quieter.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
If you wonder how to make your bow quieter with prior precautions, make sure to regularly maintain the bow. It involves the inspection of mechanical parts for any loose bolts or screws. Also, if any component is running out of oil, lubricate it thoroughly.
Runaway bowstring strand refers to a string that is intertwined but is not spun tight enough. Because of this, there are numerous loose fibers in the strand. This issue commonly occurs when someone makes a bowstring themself. The loose fibers of the string cause lots of vibration as you shoot the arrow.
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