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You know a lot of folks–including some very good archers–say that putting a quiver on a bow throws off its balance and compromises accuracy. If you’re one of these people, I’m here to tell you that you’re nuts.

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Actually, I was just talking to a friend about this. “So you’re one of those headcases who thinks he can’t shoot a bow with the quiver attached,” I said.

“Yup,” he admitted. “And you’re obviously one of the morons who doesn’t know that the quiver throws off a bow’s balance.”

It’s true. I don’t know that a quiver wrecks bow balance. I don’t even suspect it. I’ve read it. I know people who claim it. Still, I’m not so sure.

So I spent a couple days shooting 300 arrows to try to gain a little insight. Specifically, I taped over the bubble level on my sight and shot 100 3-shot groups at 30 yards–50 with my quiver on, 50 with it off. I shot 2 groups at a time, with a short break in between. (A person’s got to get some real work done.) For each 2-group set, I alternated between quiver-group first and no-quiver-group first so fatigue wouldn’t play a role. Then I averaged everything up and got these results:

Average 30-Yard Group With Quiver: 2.76 inches
Average 30-Yard Group Without Quiver: 2.94 inches

I also took measurements to determine if the average point of impact was any different between the two groupings. It seems reasonable to think that if a quiver throws off balance, then the resulting groups, although tight, might be a little off to the right or left. Nope. Not by my measurements.

Of course, the two average-group sizes are too close to claim any advantage to keeping the quiver on, but I’ll try it anyway: Maybe the extra weight of the quiver makes it a tad easier to hold the pin steadily on target. But the real bottom line is this: In hunting situations, at typical whitetail distances, for average shooters like me (and probably you) I’m never going to buy that it makes a darn bit of difference. If you headcases want to take the thing off, do what makes you feel good. This moron is leaving it on–except when it crowds one of my shooting lanes, in which case I’m taking it off. (Does that make me a headcase, too?)

Anyway, I say a bow quiver does not affect accuracy. You can stand with me or shoot me down. And the person who makes the best argument will be invited to write the next “Shoot Me Down” as a guest blogger.