I have been itching to get into the field ever since season ended. I have decent deer coming in to my feeders and just realized bow season starts in a couple weeks.

I haven't shot a bow in 25 years. Back 25 years ago I was a very avid archer. I had a Hoyt compound bow and I shot it every day year round. I traveled all over for 3D tournaments and was part of the local archery club. In a 3-4 year period I probably flung more arrows than most people do in a lifetime I was truly consumed with it. I moved away to go to college and haven't touched a bow since.

I am I crazy to go buy one tomorrow and think I can get proficient enough in a couple of weeks to hunt the archery season?

I picked up a compound bow in Sept of 2001 for the first time. Took a lesson, watched various videos on improving bow technique, and shot my bow every day. I killed my first doe the 2nd week of bow season at 30 yards, and was already keeping respectable groups at 40. If you are just knocking rust off, you'll probably be fine.

Sounds like with your experience you could pick it back up quickly. Lord knows you don’t have to shoot the first thing that steps out. I rarely get a deer during bow season anyway.

I believe that you could get your form/ muscles back to hunting condition. Providing you dont try to shoot much at the start,[10/15 shots]. If you decide to buy a bow, please go to a pro shop to get it.From your past experience you know you'll be glad you did. My other thought is. Don't over bow yourself, no need to do bodily arm & be out months rehabin. A 45 to say 55lb compound and razor sharp B.H. will cleanly take things way bigger than Wt. Its about shot placement & quite set up. Hoping you will pick it back up. Good Luck& be careful.

No doubt someone that had good form in the past can pick it back up fairly quickly. Todays bows are faster than the bows of 25 years ago by quite a bit and like said above 45 to 55lbs will kill things larger than whitetails reliably with a sharp broadhead and good shot placement. Sights/rests/releases have all improved also.

Lots of people that shot 70lbs or more years ago are finding 55 to 60lbs with todays bows are just as effective or more so than their old bows were.

go for it and have fun.

Yes. Go to a pro shop, get fitted for a bow and get some arrows and I’m fairly confident you could take a deer within 30 yards by the time season rolls around.

Any mid level bow will suffice.....I’m not a 45-55 lb guy bit in most bows a 60# draw weight and 28+ inch draw will have those arrows sizzling at speeds you won’t believe

Welcome back.

Go try some bows out and fling some arrows. You should be able to dial in quick and be confident at 20 and 30 yards.

When you aren't able to hunt, keep practicing.

A lot of dipshits who haven't shot their bow since last season won't shoot it until the evening before season at the lease. Never touch up the blades on their broadheads, never check all of the screws and accessories to make sure they are tight and on .. .
Two weeks is a long time compared to those jack asses.

I am thinking about doing the same.. been a long time...
We have a long season being on an MLD property
I really don't care much about getting out in October, still hot usually, rather be on the coast fishing!

I'll second what everyone else said about picking a lower poundage bow. You can accomplish with a 60lb bow what we would have with a 70lb bow 25 years ago. I would also suggest taking some time to pick your release. They have come along way in 25 years.

promise you that the muscle and feel will come right back. Since you have done this before and know what to do and how to. You will have no problem