Modern compound bows, even the most run-of-the-mill ones, are an incredible feat of engineering. Without question, bow technology has come lightyears from the primitive bows that hunters used to (and still sometimes choose to) hunt with. Long gone are the days of pulling a bowstring back, holding a draw unassisted, and taking a shot without sights. Modern compound bows are stacked with fancy systems, from limb-locking to torque-eliminating to modular draw-length cams.
Let-off is one of the most impactful improvements to bow technology. Thanks to a system of cams, let-off allows bowhunters to hold a bow at full draw with considerably less effort than peak draw weight. Let-off has revolutionized the way we bowhunt, relieving us of so much string weight that it can feel like we're holding a rubber band rather than a 70-pound bowstring. This let-off allows you to focus more on your grip and your aim, allowing you to take more accurate shots.
One particular video, posted by Bowhunting Mania on their Facebook, demonstrates the incredible strength of the 2017 PSE Evolve bow with a 68-pound draw.
In the video, a man hangs the Evolve from a hook on the ceiling and pulls down on the riser to bring the bow to a full draw. The let-off cams kick in, and the man can release the bow at full draw. The bow hangs from the hook, fully drawn off it's weight alone, demonstrating the incredible effectiveness of the Evolve's 90-percent let-off setting.
While an incredible demonstration of the Evolve PSE's let-off, dry firing a bow is one of the biggest sins in archery, so watching this video is certainly enough to make you wince. Not even with my least valuable bow would I feel safe trying this experiment and risking a bow collapsing right in front of my face like an activated mousetrap.
READ MORE: The Most Important Safety Tips for Bowhunters To Keep in Mind
