I really wish I knew what I was doing..

[NDNRoger]

Figured I give Tracy a chance to get even with my smart-alec remark.

When I shoot a rifle, shotgun or my Reflex, I have to close my left eye. No biggie, been doing it that way for over 40 years. I shot a few long bows when I was a kid, but other than a split finger release, no one really showed me what to do.

So now I get this bow from Joey....

I went to split finger like its the only way I know how to shoot. I look at the target with both eyes open at the spot where I intend to hit. When it "feels" right, I let loose. If I close my left eye, I run into trouble with elevation and windage. Very inconsistant.

So then I tried 3 under. Still inconsistant if I close the left eye, but I think slightly better grouping whe I keep both eyes open, the way it feels natural for me to do. Jury is still out on that one.

Anyway, when I look at pictures of others shooting, it appears they are sighting down the arrow. Is that the case or is it truely instinctive which is what I believe I am doing. Here are a couple of pix. Both are 12 yards away. First is split finger, second is 3 under.

Oh, I have noticed a bit of fish tailing. I figured its the way I am releasing, but don't know how to stop it.

[LostHawg]

NDN, tear me apart all you want. My shooting accuracy has fallen off terribly in the last few months and I diserve it.

Your 3 under group looks promising. Work on that. The biggest hazard of split finger is that the index finger can push the nock down off your nock point. This will cause bad arrow fllight. If you shoot split, try "floating" your index finger high above the nock point rather than right next to it.

What I mean by floating is, you grip the string with your middle and ring finger with your index finger just resting on the string above the nock point. As you draw, you will begin to put pressure on your index finger. At anchor all three fingers should have equal, or close to equal string pressure.

Many people want to make the mistake of pinching the nock while the bow is still at brace. This disallows the string to slip in the throat of the nock as it stretches and rolls during draw. You can see it highly pronounced usually in a child's shooting who has never shot before. How he clinches his fist around the nock and string. He'll usually swing the arrow off the shelf or rest a few times trying to draw the bow.

3 under gives you a little more freedom from this. 3 under will allow for a clearer site picture if you're going to gun barrel the arrow. 3 under will lower your point on if you anchor the same as with split. Great for shots up to about 20 yards or less.

I'll stop here before I say something wrong (if I haven't already).

[Doc Garris]

if i shot like that second group it wouldnt bother me if someone called me a flamin retard or whatever like someone said in a different post shoot how it works best for you and dont worry about what other people do,i beleive the quote went,"if i shot best layin on my back with my bare feet on the brace then off comes the shoes" not lookin to pick a fight or anything just my 2cents

[Chunky]

Those could be my groups on different days, with all else the same. Looks like you could have popped a balloon or two in San Angelo to me.

I shoot both eyes open.

Once you decide on a style, 3 under or split, you will need to play with nocking point alittle (up and down the string) to get best flight.

[splitfinger]

NDN:

Make sure you are shooting with your dominate eye...i.e. right handed shooter/right eye dominate. If you are a right hand shooter with left eye dominance (with both eyes open), your shooting will be inconsistent. But with the looks of your 3 under grouping, I'd probably stay with that.

You can look down the arrow much clearer shooting 3-under and this might be a better fit for ya.

In any case, good luck and keep at it. I'd say your grouping will improve with practice but you are shooting some great groups there.

Doug Key

[Cropduster]

NDN: From what you are saying it seems as if you have stumbled upon the "Apache" style of shooting with the three finger under. This works real well at short distances. You use the arrow as a sighting device since the arrow is right up under the eye.
If this works for you then go ahead and use it. Everyone should find the method that feels right for them and go with it. Good luck.

[tinman]

Roger, when I shoot split-finger I shoot instinctive with both eyes open with no point of reference. When I shoot three-under I'm doing so to sight down the arrow and have to close my left eye just like when I shoot a compound or a rifle.

Not bad groups, BTW. If the 3-under is comfortable to you, work on it some more and start moving back a couple of yards at a time. I shot that way for about a year and probably shot a little better 3-under but I feel more comfortable/natural shooting split-finger with both eyes open.

We need to get together and shoot...you around this weekend?

[NDNRoger]

Thanks for all the responses!

I feel more comfortable with split, but 3 under is tighter. Either way I shoot with both eyes open. Feels more natural. I can step off to 24 yards and still hit the kill zone with either style as well.

I guess what I was really asking "does it feel like you're just picking out a spot and you just know its going to hit the target?" Because that is how it feels for me. I truely do not know what I am doing or not doing. Just pointing and shooting. Am I making any sense?

Joey, I will be home all weekend. Give me a shout. I will have to fletch a few more arrows. I think I will fletch a few of the GT's tomorrow.