How to Shorten Your Strings on a Compound Bow

Adjusting the draw length on many modern compound bows is fairly easy. Many bows have a quick-adjustable pulley system, allowing archers to change the draw length themselves without the need of a bow press. Most bows provide several inches of adjustment to both lengthen or shorten the draw length. The optimal draw length should be set for the size of the archer using the bow. The bowstring should touch the corner of the archer's mouth at full draw and not have any slack in it.

Things You'll Need

  • Assistant
  • 2 medium-sized nails
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Draw the bowstring back fully and hold it, fully cocked.

    • 2

      Slide a medium-sized nail through the bottom holes on each of the bow limb's pulleys. An assistant's help will be needed.

    • 3

      Release the bowstring slowly until the nails take the bowstring's pressure.

    • 4

      Detach the end loops of the bowstring from the string connectors on both pulleys. Slide the connectors away from the bow limbs and out of the pulleys.

    • 5

      Adjust the position of the connectors, move the connectors to a higher position to shorten the draw length or select a lower position if you wish to increase the draw length.

    • 6

      Attach the bowstring back on the string connectors. Draw the bowstring back completely and have the assistant remove the nails, return the bowstring to the resting position slowly, making sure it does not slide out of place or bind up.