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Transitioning trad bow to weak side

Getting the bow over to the weak side is only half the battle. The important question is can you shoot as well when you have your torso twisted like that. And the angle of the shot will come into play, too. A steep downward angle (close deer, or down slope) is harder to shoot off side than a lesser downward angle (up slope at eye level).
I personally suck at off side shots and I now have that little seed of doubt when trying that shot. Doubt is a horrible thing with trad shooting. Gotta have confidence or you're in for some long blood trails.

If a guy can consistently shoot over the bridge, then go for it. I am more effective if I turn on the platform.
I spoke with Boswell a few years ago about this topic. He also had accuracy problems when shooting over the bridge until he realized the problem...he would short-draw (I have the same issue). He decided to put a clicker on his bow and it solved his problem. I suppose I should re-visit a clicker.

Another thing that can occasionally come into play when trying to get around the back side of the tree (in order to shoot the off side without going over the bridge) is bow clearance on the tree. I really like trees that have branches for cover and sometimes the back side has branches or a "Y" that just won't allow clearance for the bow. When I turn on the platform for a weak side shot, I already have the space needed to maneuver myself and my bow or else the stand wouldn't be hung there in the 1st place.

A truly polished shooter is a guy that can actually shoot in any position/360 degrees. This will allow shots at any deer and any angle. I'm just not good at over the bridge shots so I play to my strength...turn on the stand.
 
Another point...
The length of your bridge and the height of your tether will effect how easily you can get your bow over the bridge. Also how much "travel" your tether has along your bridge will define how well you can twist your torso. IMO, it really important to not have your bridge attach with clips or carabiners. I insist on having knots, or tri slides, (or the Recon buckle) up tight against the loops. A 24" or 30" bridge doesn’t mean crap if only half of it is actually usable. Shooting over the bridge requires getting your torso fulley twisted, but "road blocks" on your bridge amplifies how flexible you'll need to be.
And a high tether is harder to get over than a low tether.
 
Allegheny Tom said:
Another point...
The length of your bridge and the height of your tether will effect how easily you can get your bow over the bridge. Also how much "travel" your tether has along your bridge will define how well you can twist your torso. IMO, it really important to not have your bridge attach with clips or carabiners. I insist on having knots, or tri slides, (or the Recon buckle) up tight against the loops. A 24" or 30" bridge doesn’t mean crap if only half of it is actually usable. Shooting over the bridge requires getting your torso fulley twisted, but "road blocks" on your bridge amplifies how flexible you'll need to be.
And a high tether is harder to get over than a low tether.
Click to expand...
Good points. Conversely though, seems like a higher tether would enable you execute Ernie's maneuver a little easier.
 
Too bad you're not using the world famous JX3......
The tether length on a JX3 does not require you to shoot over the the tether.
You can rotate around the tree on the ROS very easily with a long tether, never having a weak side shot.
 
My tether length is as high as I can reach (approx. 4.5 ft. long) as I stand on the ROS
 
GeoFish said:
Use a ROS, keep the tree between you and the deer.
Going over the bridge is too much movement.
Click to expand...
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Moving your arms or your whole body, movement is movement. It doesn't matter what method you use, when you move, move slow. I doubt you are running around the tree just like I'm not flailing my arms about while crossing over the bridge. Different strokes for different folks is all.
 
AppalachianArcher said:
.
Moving your arms or your whole body, movement is movement. It doesn't matter what method you use, when you move, move slow. I doubt you are running around the tree just like I'm not flailing my arms about while crossing over the bridge. Different strokes for different folks is all.
Click to expand...
I can agree with this. My main point isn't getting over the bridge for a weak side shot, my point is ...can I shoot accurately with my torso twisted in that direction?? I can't shoot as well towards my weak side, so I don't even want to think about going over or under the bridge.
Accuracy should be the number 1 concern in this discussion.
 
Allegheny Tom said:
I can agree with this. My main point isn't getting over the bridge for a weak side shot, my point is ...can I shoot accurately with my torso twisted in that direction?? I can't shoot as well towards my weak side, so I don't even want to think about going over or under the bridge.
Accuracy should be the number 1 concern in this discussion.
Click to expand...

I completely understand that. It's all dependent on the location of the shot on my weakside. Anything past 2 o'clock is very uncomfortable when coming to full draw. That's usually when I will spin (slowly) on my platform like the tethrd video posted. I practice shooting in awkward positions from my saddle at home and feel it has helped me become more accurate with different shot angles.
 
AppalachianArcher said:
.
Moving your arms or your whole body, movement is movement. It doesn't matter what method you use, when you move, move slow. I doubt you are running around the tree just like I'm not flailing my arms about while crossing over the bridge. Different strokes for different folks is all.
Click to expand...
Yes we have different methods. I do not agree with John on everything, but I do on this.
 
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