Don’t Skip This Compound Bowstring Check Before You Shoot
- David Harris
- Aug 3
- 4 min read
I woke up early, grabbed my gear, and headed to Silver Creek Archery Range with my wife. The weather was perfect. I was excited to finally start dialing in my shots for deer season. We got there around 8 a.m. and were set up and slinging arrows within minutes.
The plan was simple: start at 10 yards, move to 20, then 30. Just a solid, confidence-building practice session.
Everything was feeling great... until it wasn’t.
From Dialed In to "Uh OH"
I had just finished my 30-yard grouping and was walking back to grab more arrows when my wife looked at my bow and said, “Hey... is your string supposed to look like that?”
Sure enough, the serving near my yoke was starting to unravel. Not completely blown apart, but definitely not right.
It was one of those “Oh crap” moments where your stomach drops a little. Especially when you realize you’ve been shooting like that for a while. I stopped immediately. I didn't know if this could damage my bow and didn't want to risk it.
Thankfully, we had my wife’s crossbow in the car. We passed it back and forth for the rest of the morning so we could both still get some practice in.
But that little unraveling string taught me a big lesson.
What Is Serving(and Why It Matters)?
If you’re newer to archery like I am, you might not even know what “serving” is.
The serving is the thread wrapped around key sections of your bowstring. Usually at the nocking point, the cams, or the yoke. It protects the string from wear and friction and helps hold everything together.
If the serving starts to come apart, it exposes the string underneath to damage. Left unchecked, it can lead to a frayed string, inconsistent shots, or even dangerous string failure.
Which, obviously, we don’t want.
What I Should Have Done (and Will Do From Now On)
Looking back, the signs were probably there. I just wasn’t in the habit of inspecting my string before shooting. That’s changed now.
Here’s my new pre-practice checklist. Short, simple, and beginner-proof:
1. Inspect the serving. Look at the yoke, cams, and center serving. Any loose wraps or fraying? Time to stop.
2. Check your nocks and arrows. Make sure each arrow is in good shape with no cracks or splits.
3. Look for string wear. If you see fuzzing or separation, consider waxing or replacing.
4. Test your draw slowly. Make sure everything feels smooth and sounds normal.
It takes less than a minute and could save you from a ruined session or worse, a busted bow.
Silver Creek Anchery Range
We were shooting at Silver Creek, a free public range maintained by the Ohio Division of Wildlife (ODNR). If you’re in the area and haven’t been there yet, I highly recommend it.
There are multiple target distances, a raised shooting tower, and it’s usually pretty quiet if you get there early. Plus, it’s free. For us budget-conscious hunters, that’s a win.
There’s even a sign at the top of the tower that recommends wearing a harness when shooting from elevation. A good reminder that safety applies at every level of practice.
Shooting the Crossbow (and Getting Schooled by My Wife)
After I set my compound bow down, we took turns with my wife’s crossbow. I’ve got to admit, it was a nice change of pace. The power and simplicity of it were fun. Honestly, she out-shot me more than once.
She doesn’t get out to shoot as often as I do, but when she does, she makes it count. Watching her shoot with confidence while I nursed my humbled ego reminded me why I love bringing her along.
There’s something about these outdoor moments. Small gear problems, friendly competition, and problem-solving on the fly all come together to make every trip memorable.
What I Learned (and Who Helped Me Fix It)
I’ve heard people say “your bow will tell you when something’s wrong.” But this time, it wasn’t the bow that told me. It was my wife.
Still, the lesson stuck.
Always check your gear before you shoot.
Even a simple practice session can turn into a learning experience. And I’d rather learn this lesson now than during hunting season with a deer in range.
As soon as I got home, I took my bow to Bounce Archery in New Franklin, Ohio. Not only did they fix the serving, they reinforced it with extra wrapping and didn’t charge me a dime. If you're anywhere near northeast Ohio, I can't recommend them enough. Super helpful, honest folks.
Final Thoughts
This trip reminded me that every piece of gear matters. So does the routine you build around it. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been hunting for years, it pays to slow down and inspect the little things.
My plan for the next couple of weeks is to keep practicing with more intention, keep an eye on my gear, and keep working toward opening day.
If you’re new to archery like I am, hopefully this story saves you a headache. And if you’re in the area and need a trustworthy shop, definitely check out Bounce Archery in New Franklin.
Want more beginner-friendly stories and tips?
Follow along here on the blog or catch short clips from this outing on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.
Stay safe, shoot straight, and always check your gear.
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