How Often Should You Get Your Bow Tuned?

Short answer: most archers should have their bow checked and tuned at least once a year, plus any time you notice a change in accuracy, swap equipment, or before hunting season starts. Bows that see heavy use — league shooters, daily practice, or bowhunters putting hundreds of arrows through their rig — often benefit from a check every 3 to 6 months.

Here’s a closer look at what drives that timeline and how to tell when your bow needs attention sooner.

Why bows drift out of tune

A bow isn’t a “set it and forget it” tool. Strings and cables stretch and settle with use, especially in the first few hundred shots after a new install. Temperature swings, humidity, and simple wear on the cams, rest, and nocking point all nudge your setup away from its sweet spot over time. None of this means anything is broken — it’s normal wear that a quick tune corrects.

Signs your bow needs a tune sooner

You don’t have to wait for a scheduled visit if you notice any of the following:

• Groups that used to be tight are suddenly opening up
• Arrows porpoising, fishtailing, or planing off to one side
• A noticeably louder or different sound at the shot
• Visible fraying on the string or cables
• You’ve changed arrows, a rest, a sight, or added a stabilizer
• The bow was dry-fired or dropped

Any one of these is worth a trip to the shop before you keep shooting, especially if you’re gearing up for hunting season or a tournament.

What a professional tune actually checks

A full tune covers more than most people expect. At Jahnke Northwest Archery, a tune-up typically includes:

• Cam timing and synchronization
• Draw length and draw weight verification
• Paper tuning and walk-back tuning
• Rest and sight alignment
• Nocking-point position
• A general inspection of the string, cables, and hardware for wear

If anything is off, we make the adjustment on the spot and walk you through what changed and why.

A simple rule of thumb

• Casual or seasonal shooters: once a year, ideally 4–6 weeks before hunting season
• Regular target shooters or league archers: every 3–6 months
• After any equipment change: always — new arrows, a new rest, or a new sight can all shift your tune
• After a dry fire or hard impact: immediately, before shooting again

If it’s been a while since your bow has seen a workbench, or you’re just not sure, it costs nothing to give us a call and describe what you’re noticing. We’ll let you know whether it sounds like a quick fix or a full tune.

Curious about the difference between the two most common tuning methods? Read our guide on paper tuning vs. walk-back tuning next.