advice for shooting in heavy rain

[sambow]

I have entered my first ever outdoor open competition which is a fita star. the forecast for tomorrow is grim and if it is anything like today, will be a solid day of rain.

I haven't shot in significant rain before and anticipate a few problems like equipment not performing consistently, grip slipping, rain in scope etc. I am shooting compound.

Can anyone offer any advice to make the experience as pain free as possible and inflict the minimum amount of problems on my equipment as I guess rain in sights and releases may not go down so well. I am sure that no matter how much I try to think of everyting I will fail miserabely!

[Hidden Hippo]

These are the things I found useful at the Cleve York where there were heavy showers:

- Try and keep your scope dry

- Blow your peep before you shoot to make sure there are no drops of water in there (I made that mistake, very annoying)

- Wipe the bow grip before you shoot

- Most importantly, chances are you won't score as highly as you expect, but that is going to be the case for everyone

- Finally, dry all your stuff off nicely after the shoot so it doesn't rust

[bkupris]

Some people "ping" their string before starting an end just to get rid of the water build up on it. That may just be a recurve thing though?

[sambow]

Originally Posted by Hidden Hippo

- Blow your peep before you shoot to make sure there are no drops of water in there (I made that mistake, very annoying)

I have a clarifier, would I be better removing it and replacing it with a hole?

[Furface]

Try to keep all your form just as it would be in perfect conditions. Don't rush things just to get back in the dry. And remember it is the same for everyone.

[archer_thom]

I don't find "pinging" the string useful but wiping water off limbs can be useful. Definitely agree with keeping scopes dry and peeps clear. I prefer to shoot in a t-shirt rather than waterproofs because I find the waterproofs tend to interfere with the string. Ok I get wet but at least there's less to get wet and it's just a question of having some dry t-shirts and towels, and a very warm jumper for the journey home!

My biggest problem is that I wear glasses and therefore *any* rain means I can't see within a few minutes. That makes scores rubbish and I still haven't found a suitable hat.

[sambow]

Originally Posted by archer_thom

My biggest problem is that I wear glasses and therefore *any* rain means I can't see within a few minutes. That makes scores rubbish and I still haven't found a suitable hat.

Something to think about I have just bought an australian cowbow hat which is oiled leather, this would cover your eyes fine. It is still possible to shoot with it, in fact I don't even know its on. I look really stupid in it but I don't care. I have little hair and burn up in the sun. I used to wear a cap until I my next door neighbour got skin cancer which started from his ears, that made me think again!

[Adam]

Make sure you stay as dry as possible - close-fitting, breathable waterproofs are a must, but try them first to make sure you're comfortable shooting in them. If you get wet, you will get cold and that will have a bigger effect on your scores than the water itself will. And don't forget to keep drinking lots: just because it's wet many folks stop drinking their usual amounts in the mistaken belief that they won't dehydrate - they will, so keep drinking. Yes, it's a pain having a pee in a hurry when wearing lots of layers, but don't let that stop you drinking either.

Clarifier peeps can be a real pain in the wet. Personally, I wouldn't use one.

Adam

[archer_thom]

Originally Posted by sambow

Something to think about I have just bought an australian cowbow hat which is oiled leather, this would cover your eyes fine. It is still possible to shoot with it, in fact I don't even know its on. I look really stupid in it but I don't care. I have little hair and burn up in the sun. I used to wear a cap until I my next door neighbour got skin cancer which started from his ears, that made me think again!

Hmm... Interesting... thanks.

[Little Miss Purple]

Originally Posted by sambow

I have a clarifier, would I be better removing it and replacing it with a hole?

take loo roll with you so you can dry it when it gets wet!!

I return my bow to my line tent when I'm not shooting so as to keep it from the weather (hail, rain or shine!!).

ps... have you got a space pen for marking the target face??