Aiming your bow

[Wapiti]

Ok so this sounds simple enough right !! Well at the range tonight it seems there were many ways people settle in on the target. me I like to hold low and bring my sight up until I'm where I want it. Other's like to draw and be higher and come down into the target.

How you guys do it ?

Trav

[FemoralArchery]

I like to bring my bow down to the target.

My buddy told me a few years ago that your muscles work harder to stop the bow going down than it is bringing it up to the target.

If I get below the target, I start getting some kind of *cough*cough*target panic*cough*... I don't have the problem moving the bow in any other direction. Strange.

[dapper]

I like to aim high and let the pin settle down into the target. Gravity kind of helps.

[RockChucker30]

Yeah, I start high and let it settle down, then let the pin amble in a lazy circle until my subconscious releases.

With a recurve it's completely different. I aim as I draw, hit anchor, and the thing is gone before I know it. Recurve is more fun honestly, but the compound is a lot more accurate.

[aron]

I start low and bring my bow up. Wanting to start trying to draw high than lower the pin cause it sure seems like when you're tired moving that pin up the last little bit can get tough.

[pointysticks]

no clue.

i cant over think it or i will panic.

[JGH]

Thanks, pointystick ... I was overthinking and developing target panic just reading this thread.

[buglmin]

With a compound, i start high and bring the pin down. I focus on the spot and blur the pin, lettng the pin move in a small circle.
With a recurve, I focus on a spot, and hold anchor for just a few seconds...holding anchor allows the brain to think for a second and move the arm up for longer shots. Snap shooting is actually a form of target panic, and in the heat of excitement, you'll end up short drawing the bow. Snap shooting results from being over bowed...

[WindedBowhunter]

I like to bring my bow down to the target.

My buddy told me a few years ago that your muscles work harder to stop the bow going down than it is bringing it up to the target.

Spot on! (no pun intended)

It's simple gravity...its easier to lower your sight to your target than to lift your sight to the target.

The other note is don't punch the trigger as you try to time your pin crossing the point at which your intended point of impact is. Instead start to slowly spiral inward to your intended point of impact.

If your not using a thumb release, and are using a trigger release, set it up for use on the second knuckle crease. This mitigates punching the trigger.

After the shot, don't pull your head around to watch your shot. Instead continue to stay focused on your shot until the arrow makes impact on your intended target.

[JJ Overkill]

honestly im really not sure. its weird, I usually don't have to move my bow a whole heck of a lot. I draw with bow and my hand right of my head and face. once at full draw I settle to my anchor points and my pins is usually very close if not on target. im looking at my target the whole time maybe its good muscle memory / instinctive almost. now you have me wondering what my routine is when going through the full shooting cycle and how I aim.

[WindedBowhunter]

Keep in mind, these moments are not large. I always "try" to set the sight housing on my target, then draw the bow. This does 2 things for me:

It disguises some of my movements by "hiding" behind the bow and puts the pin near the top of the back of my intended target.

I don't want you to over think this or that I am some "over achiever".

[Backcountry]

Like most, I'll draw, hold a little high, then allow my pin to "sink" into the target.

Best piece of advice I can offer up is to relax and let the pin float to your target, don't force it there.

[Wapiti]

Thanks everyone this is very interesting !!