If you do any type of hunting or even target practice with a bow and arrow, you are more than likely familiar with the noise that your bowstring is able to make. There is also a very good chance that you have wondered how you can silence the noise that your bowstring makes. This is exactly why finding the best bow string silencers are so important when you use a bow and arrow.
Do any hunting with your bow? If so, concealment and camouflage are going to be your best friends. And if you are hunting an animal such as an elk or deer that has a heightened sense of hearing, remaining as silent as possible is going to be of utmost importance. It is for this reason that you should use a bowstring silencer in order to eliminate the ‘zing’ of shooting your arrow.
Don’t do any hunting with your bow but love recreational shooting? You may have noticed how annoying and off-putting a noisy bowstring can really be. The last thing you want is to have to listen to your bowstrings sound like some type of badly tuned instrument while you are shooting.
Luckily for you, there is a very simple answer to quieting your strings... bow silencers. They are normally on the inexpensive side and come in several different styles, which means that there will more than likely be one that suits your needs.
Here is everything that you need to know, including how to find the best bow string silencer for your individual needs!
What Exactly is a Bow String Silencer?
When you start to notice that your bows string has begun making unwanted noise, there are a few different reasons why this may be happening. Whether you are not using a heavy enough arrow or have an inefficient bow, finding the right bow string silencer is a must. But what exactly are they and how do they work?
Essentially, silencers have been designed to do the best job of absorbing any excess energy that the string may have after firing an arrow. Since your bow string is only going to start making noise when there is leftover energy in the string once your arrow has been fired, a silencer helps to absorb that energy, essentially quieting your bow string.
Benefits of Using a Bow String Silencer
As the technology behind bows continues to advance, the amount of noise that the strings are able to make has increased more and more. This means that using one of the best string silencers for a bow is more beneficial now than ever. Here is what you can expect when you install a silencer:
1. Cut Down on Any Missed Opportunities
Using your bow to hunt, you already know that no animal should never be considered stupid. Turkey, deer and other game all have an excellent sense of hearing. This means that even the smallest of noises that your bow string makes are able to spook them off. This is one of the most frustrating things for a bowhunter, as nobody wants to spend all day in the field to miss out on a shot opportunity due to a noisy bow string.
2. You Will Have Less Wounded Animals
If you hunt, it is more than likely due to the thrill of outwitting your game and being able to bag it. On the other hand, no hunter enjoys the sickening feeling that they get when a shot doesn’t provide a clean kill. Nobody wants to see an animal try to flee while they are in agony. Having a noisy string can play a huge part in spooking your target, causing them to move right as you take your shot. This has the potential to mean you may hit your animal in a different location than where you had originally intended to.
3. Reduces Bow String Vibrations
While the main function of your bow silencer is to reduce the amount of noise that your string makes, they also help to reduce the amount of vibrations while you are shooting. This means that your bow will be much more comfortable for you to hold while you are shooting it. On top of that, when you lower the amount of vibrations in your bow, you will be able to stay sighted in for a longer amount of time as well.
4. Can Increase the Speed of Your Arrow
When using silencers, you can increase the speed of the arrows you shoot. No, it’s not going to be by a lot, it can help to add between 1 and 3 feet per second. This may not sound like much, but if you are hunting a larger animal, every extra bit of penetration power will count.
How Do Bow String Silencers Work?
Bow string silencers are great as they help to silence the amount of noise that your bow makes while shooting. But have you ever wondered how it is that they actually work?
As you are pulling back on the string of your bow, you are creating energy that is then exerted into elastic potential energy, all of which will then be stored in your bow. As soon as you release the arrow, both the bow and the string will ‘spring’ back into their regular shapes.
If you paid attention to your middle school science classes, then you know that energy can never be destroyed, but it can change forms. In this instance, as soon as the arrow has been released, all of the potential energy is then converted into kinetic energy (which is what forces the arrow to move forwards).
Unfortunately, though, not all of the energy leaves with the arrow. Some of the energy will be transferred to your bows string, which is what gives you that very familiar oscillation. Whenever an object oscillates, it is going to produce some type of sound wave. In the case of your bow and arrow, it is the twang that occurs whenever you release an arrow.
A silencer works by absorbing and then dissipating this leftover kinetic energy that your string has. This means that a silencer will be able to reduce the amount of vibrations throughout your actual bow, as well as dampen the sounds that would normally be made.
How to Install a Bow String Silencer
After you have found the right silencer, the next step is to install it on your bow. This is where you should follow the famous saying, ‘always read the manufacturer’s instructions.’ This is because different silencers will need to be installed differently. Now factor in the different types of bows and there is really not anyone method that is a universal fit.
Always seek out professional help if you have any questions. With that being said, there are many silencers that can be attached by tying them onto the bow string while it is still actually on your bow.
Again, it is all going to be dependent upon the type of silencer you decide to use and the type of bow you will be putting it on. You may have the best compound bow string silencers, but the installation for these may differ to crossbow string silencers or the best recurve string silencers. Just be sure to follow the included instructions and if you have any questions, find a professional to help you.
Choosing the Right Bow String Silencer
Very similarly to the type of bow you use, the right silencer for you will come down to your personal preferences. Just know that there are certain factors that you will need to consider. These include:
1. The Quality of the Silencer
You should always select a silencer that will last. This is especially true if you need to remove the string in order to install it. This is not a piece of your bow that you should be replacing every couple of weeks.
2. The Noise Level
If you are planning on using your bow for hunting, the amount of noise reduction it is able to provide is a top priority. If you are simply looking to inhibit vibrations though, this may not be as big a factor in your silencer selection.
3. Waterproof
If you are only planning on shooting your bow indoors, having a waterproof silencer is not necessarily a very big deal. However, if you are planning on being outdoors for any length of time during the wet season, waterproof silencers are pretty much invaluable.
4. Materials and Durability
Another major decision that you will need to make is whether or not your b silencer will be made of synthetic or natural materials. If you are trying to be more of a ‘traditional’ hunter, natural materials will be much more appealing to you. But if you are against using animal products, you may be better suited for a plastic or rubber silencer. Just know that each material will have a much different durability that comes along with it.
The Top 5 Bow String Silencers
When you are searching for a silencer, it can become very overwhelming very quickly. This is because there are many different options available to you that all claim to be the best.
So, here are the best 5 string silencers that will help you keep your bow quiet and prevent any excess vibration. Keep in mind that these silencers will only work on your strings when you are able to select the right one for your needs, the silencers listed below need to be specifically designed for your bow's string.
1. Mountain Man Beaver Balls
More of a ‘traditional’ style of string silencer, the Mountain Man Beaver Balls bow silencer is extremely natural-looking and will provide you with some of the best string noise reduction available. Now partner these silencers with their aesthetically pleasing look while on your string and you really do have a potential candidate for being the best string silencers. This is because this silencer is made from beaver hide. Beaver hide works great and after the first use, you will know why.
The ‘balls’ in the name refer to how this particular silencer is shaped. It is made from 100% natural beaver hide and is able to be fitted without you needing to remove the string from the bow. This is one string silencer that you are simply going to fall in love with!
2. I-Sport Otter Bow Silencer
This is another one of the most popular natural bow silencers on the market. This silencer is made entirely out of otter fur, meaning that it will support the more ‘traditional’ look of an archer. Coming in pairs, this string silencer will be most effective if you are able to install them when your string is removed from your bow.
What makes this string silencer so great, is that it is extremely durable and will thrive in just about any type of weather situation. The silencer’s dense texture helps to effectively eliminate any excess noise and vibrations. This is one string silencer that you will be happy to have in your arsenal.
3. Bowjax Ultra Bow Jax II Dampener
One of the plastic bow silencers that you will find, the Bowjax Ultra Bow Jax II Dampener is the perfect way to silence your noisy bow strings. What makes this particular bow string dampener so popular, is the fact that it has been designed in a unique way that allows you to slide it up and down your string into your desired position. This means that it is one of the ideal bow silencers on the market today.
You will need to remove the string in order to install this silencer, but once you have, you can expect nothing but the very best performance possible. While installation may take a little longer than other silencers, once you have installed this silencer you will not even notice that it is there.
4. Carbon Express String Silencer
Being a synthetic silencer on this list, this particular one mimics the all-natural fur silencers, and you will have a hard time telling them apart.
This particular bow silencer comes in a pack of two and is extremely easy to install. All you need to do is tie them to your string and you are done, no removal required.
5. Apex Gear Doubledown String Silencer
Not normally ideal for the more traditional archer, this is a silencer that will stand out. What makes this particular silencer unique, is the very bright color that it comes in. While it is a very distinguishable color, it is also one of the easiest silencers to use that you will ever come across.
Conclusion
When it comes to finding the best bow silencers, it can very quickly become an overwhelming experience for you. In order to find the right string silencers, you must first identify what your individual needs and requirements are for it.
With that being said, one of the best bow string silencers that you want will be the Mountain Man Beaver Balls. The Mountain Man Beaver Balls will be able to provide you with a much quieter bow and reduce the amount of vibrations at the very same time. Essentially, this is the best bow string suppressor that you can find on the market today!