Bowhunters rely as much on concealment, camouflage, and hiding as they do accurate shots. Things, like covering their scent and blending in with the environment are just as important to a successful hunt as putting an arrow directly into the vital organs.
And when hunting animals like deer or elk that have extremely sensitive hearing, there is nothing more important than operating silently. There are several possible sources of noise that a bow hunter has to be careful about.
The bow string’s twang as the arrow zips out of the bow is plenty loud to alert a prey animal in close range. Many a hunter has had his arrow bury in the mud, rather than a nice buck because the bowstring gave him away. We review all bow silencers in-depth.
At a Glance: Here are my Top Picks of Bowstring Silencers
+ BEST OVERALL – Bowjax 1036 Ultra Bow Jax II Dampener. A technologically advanced string silencer. Up to 50% vibration/noise reduction.
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+ FOR CROSSBOWS – LimbSaver Super String Leech. Add one of these bad boys to your arsenal before your next big hunting trip – you won’t regret it!
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+ RUNNER UP – Mountain Man Beaver Balls. Traditional Archers will love this one: Canadian fur, water-resistant, Beaver Balls.
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+ RECURVE BOWS ONLY – Traditional Gears Bowstring Groove Silencers. Not a string silencer in that sense – but perfect for reducing limb slap. 100% leather.
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+ ONE FITS ALL – Trad Gear Accessories. Camo Whisker is made of rubber for compound bows, recurve bows, and longbow.
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+ STRING STOP – Saunders VUDU String Dampener. Extremely light – works best in conjunction with whisker stops or weight stops.
Benefits Of Bowstring Silencers
- Reduced Vibration
- Improved Durability
- Reduced Sound
What To Look For When Purchasing Bow Silencers?
Fitting
Well, it depends mainly on what you personally prefer. Some silencers require removal of the bowstring for installation – If you don’t feel comfortable doing that yourself (or don’t have the tools) take your bow to a professional.
Some models can be slid over the string – In my opinion, they don’t work quite as well…
Noise Reduction Level
Especially important for hunters. You don´t want to spook the game away. Vibration reduction plays a minor role. That’s probably something you should look after when you are a target archer …
Waterproof
Again, that’s something bowhunters definitely consider – Not so much a thing when you are at the archery range.
Material / Quality
No matter if you are more of a traditional archer and choose a beaver hide or otter fur silencer – or go for a synthetic solution: make sure you use top-notch quality products! That is especially important if you use a model that requires the removal of the string for installation.
Top Notch Silencers
Bowjax 1036 Ultra Bow Jax II Dampener Pack of 4 (Black)
The Bowjax 1036 Ultra Bow Jax II Dampeners represent technological advances in the string silencer market. These are basically small weights that get clamped onto the bowstring. Some models, such as the 1036, require removal of the bowstring for installation.
This can be difficult, so consider taking your bow to a professional for installation. Some models have a tiny slit in them so that the weight can be slid over the bowstring for installation. These are easier to install but don’t work quite as well.
These dampeners are more effective than any of the other types reviewed. They are perfectly balanced, so they deliver maximum vibration reduction. Bowstrings vibrate at a high frequency when loosed; think of the string moving in tiny circles very fast.
The weight of a dampener slows that movement and keeps the string in a smaller “circle” of motion. This serves to dampen the vibration very quickly. Some archers report a 50% reduction in string vibration with the 1036 dampeners.
LimbSaver Super String Leech
The Super String Leech completely eliminates string noise while still providing maximum speed. This lightweight and weatherproof leech is perfect for any situation, and its string wedge resists cutting. You won’t find a better way to keep your strings quiet!
- Suitable for high-poundage bows and crossbows
It’s made from LimbSaver’s proprietary vibration-dampening NAVCOM material, so it’s quick and easy to install and built to last outdoors in harsh environments. Don’t let noisy strings keep you from getting the most out of your bow or crossbow.
LimbSaver has the perfect solution! This Super String Leech attaches to your bowstring and absorbs unwanted vibration, reducing noise and increasing accuracy. Plus, it’s made in the USA with the highest quality materials available!
Mountain Man Beaver Balls String Silencers
One kind of popular string silencer is the Mountain Man Beaver Balls. “Beaver” refers to the fact that this style of silencer—beaver balls—is basically a small wad of beaver fur.
Many “ traditional ” archers tend to prefer Mountain Man Beaver Balls. These archers use traditional bows and shy away from equipment that is made of plastics and metals. They prefer wooden bows, bowstrings made of natural material, and likewise, silencers made of natural material. The composition and look of the Beaver Balls are really what makes them popular.
They are very easy to install. Simply pinch them onto the bowstring at equal intervals away from the nocking point.
- Beaver Balls do not appear to perform better than synthetic silencers, but they do work much better than other types of fur silencers (otter, mink, etc.)
- When compared to modern silencers, Beaver Balls don’t seem to work any better and are much heavier
- The heavier a silencer is, the more it dampens the vibration of the bowstring, and the more it slows down the arrow.
If you’re a traditional archer, these may be the perfect silencer for your rig. If you’re open to more modern options, check out some of the other silencers reviewed below.
Traditional Archery – Recurve Bow Bowstring Groove Silencers
Another popular silencer with the traditional archery crowd are Traditional Gear’s Bow String Groove Silencers. As the manufacturer’s name implies, these fit in with the traditional archery setup. They are made of real leather (a natural material). These silencers are designed only for recurve bows. They will not work on compound bows or modern crossbows.
Also, the Groove Silencer is really more of a limb silencer or bow silencer than a string silencer. String silencers are usually attached to the bowstring and dampen vibration of the string.
Silencers like the Groove Silencers actually stick to the bow and reduce the slap of the string against the bow (known as limb slap).
They do not reduce string vibration at all!
That being said, they work very well for reducing limb slap. They are easy to install. The groove silencer is a thin pad of leather with a groove where the string should sit. Line up the bowstring with the groove on the silencer, then simply stick the silencer to the inside surface of the limbs.
The silencers will either have an adhesive on the back or come with a small amount of adhesive to use. These can be used in combination with true string silencers, and most archers tend to use both for maximum silencing.
12 pc PRO PACK Camo Whisker Bowstring Silencer for Compounds Recurve and Longbows
The PRO PACK silencers from Trad Gear Accessories are one of the most popular and effective string silencers ever created.
They effectively reduce game spooking noise. It is wad of rubber “whiskers’ that get placed around the bowstring to dampen vibration. The whiskers are just long, thin, spaghetti-like pieces of rubber. Installation is pretty simple: Just tie them in an overhand knot at equal lengths away from the nocking point.
Some archers use zip ties or bobby pins to get a more “round” ball look to their whiskers. It might look better, but it doesn’t affect performance.
Whiskers are preferred by many archers because they are cheap, light, and durable. Where fur silencers tend to get heavy and nasty when rained on, rubber whiskers obviously perform the same in all weather conditions. They are lighter, too, so they do not reduce arrow speed as much as fur silencers. Overall, this is the most popular kind of string silencer on the market.
Saunders VUDU String Dampener 3/8″ Cable Rod Mount
The Saunders VUDU String Dampener is yet another type of string silencer. Where these other models rely on adding weight to the bowstring at specific locations, this type of silencer, known as a string stop, provides a solid point beyond which the bowstring cannot travel.
In this method of vibration dampening, the string stop forces the string to stop moving because the string cannot move past the string stop. Thinking again of the tiny circles in which the string rotates very quickly, the string stop sticks halfway into the circle and doesn’t allow the string to vibrate or rotate fully.
Bowstring stops are often used in conjunction with whisker stops or weight stops.
The Saunders VUDU does not come with the front mount option piece – It is meant to attach to the cable guide bar. It is extremely light – the rod is carbon, the piston is made of light rubber and plastic.
Make sure the piston is always properly lubricated and with a proper set up the string sinks in – almost stopping any vibration and noise immediately.
Bowstring silencers come in many different designs but all accomplish the same thing: Dampening the noise created by a fast-moving bowstring. They all basically work by reducing the excess vibration caused by the release of tension when an arrow is loosed.
Regardless of the kind of silencer used, all silencers slow down a compound bow arrow to some extent. All these different devices can be very effective for string vibration dampening. Some work better than others, but in the woods, anything to help keep quiet is a welcome gift.
For best results, try adding one or two different kinds of string silencers to stay as silent as possible.
What Are Bow String Silencers?
Bow String silencers are designed to reduce noise and vibration of the bowstring after the arrow is released.
What Are Most Silencers Made of?
They come in different variations:
For the more traditional hunters among us, natural materials such as beaver- or otter fur are used.
or
If you prefer a “modern” solution, synthetics are what you are looking for.
How Do Bow Silencers Work?
First, you should remember: Energy does not disappear! In our case is transferred from your arms to the limbs/string.
There is a pretty fancy scientific explanation for this process. If you feel like reading more about “the potential energy concept“, go for it. At some point in time, you probably heard about it in school.
Now, when you release the bowstring, this stored energy is converted to kinetic energy and catapults your arrow forward. Some of that energy remains in the string – and will bring it to move in small circles (oscillation).
The bow silencer slows that movement/absorbs and dissipates it. Keeps the string in a smaller “circle” of motion. This dampens the vibration very quickly. As the silencers are attached to the string, some of this absorbing take place during the actual release of the arrow. And this means: Less power will accelerate your arrow!
FAQ
Q: Are bow string silencers worth it?
A: Yes. Bowstring silencers reduce noise up to 90%.
Q: Where do you put a bow string silencer?
A: You can attach them to the string at different locations. It depends on the model/type you choose.
Q: Do I need a bowstring silencer?
A: If you are after the absolute best performance – no. But they definitely will help you stay stealthy in the woods. Especially when harvesting game you want to avoid spooking.
Q: Do monkey tails slow your bow down?
A: Yes. They work but will slow down your bow. Basically, all string silencers will slow down your bow. Expect to lose around 5 fps.
Q: Do string silencers affect speed?
A: All silencers will slow down your arrow to some extent. The better models have less impact on arrow speed and overall performance.
Q: What is the best type of bow string silencer?
A: That really depends on personal preferences. You can experiment with different types to find what works best for you.
Q: What are the different string silencers available?
A: You have the traditional natural materials such as beaver- or otter fur. And you also have the synthetic versions. Both will work.
Q: What is the purpose of a bowstring silencer?
A: The main purpose of a string silencer is to reduce the noise and vibration of the bowstring. This helps you stay undetected in the field.
Q: Can I use more than one bowstring silencer?
A: Yes. You can use multiple silencers to further reduce noise and vibration.
Q: Are there any disadvantages to using a bow string silencer?
A: Yes. All silencers will slow down your bow to some extent. The positive effects of using a silencer must be weighed against this reduced speed.
Q: Do string silencers work on crossbows?
A: Yes. string silencers work on both traditional bows and crossbows. Buy a silencer that is made for the specific type of bow you are using.
