As a right handed compound shooter I was forced to close my left eye when looking through my peep. One of the first things I noticed when just starting with a traditional bow was I had both eyes open. This is amazing because I always wanted the biggest sight picture possible. Long story short, a few months back I was tickled to hit the target with a trad bow but now as I am trying to bring my groups in even closer, I am wondering if I need to close my left eye for a clearer picture and accuracy.
I ask because I am left eye dominant but right handed. I have tried both ways and me closing my left eye seems to be a little more accurate but at times both eyes opened seems good. Just wondering if anyone has any suggestions on what is right or wrong. I am still trying instinctive shooting right now and really want to make it work for 20 yards and in.
Any help would be appreciated.
Disclaimer... I am still mainly point blank range shooting with a low poundage bow (25#) working on form and developing a shot sequence that doesn't take 45 seconds ever time. Lol
Dang man maybe you should’ve gotten that custom bow in lefty!
I wouldn’t go about closing one eye. But that’s just me. I can shoot left or right handed and my non dominant eye side is still solid out to 20 yards no problem. That said, I’ve read time and time again of people switching to one’s dominant eye side making a huge difference. When I started I shot both but finally made a decision to get rid of my RH bows and just shoot left (I’m right handed). If you’re just starting out it may be worth switching before you go too deep.
It does sounds like you may be getting ahead of yourself if you aren’t even shooting 20 yards yet. I’d work my way back to 10-15 yards and see where I’m at before making any drastic changes or forming new habitats.
I’d also consider going up to 35-40# limbs or bow. I do think you can over bow yourself; however, I also believe that you can under bow yourself. If it feels like a toy, it’s gonna shoot and you’re gonna treat it like a toy. I don’t think you get a proper feel for the bow string with that low of weight. With such a low weight you can easily compensate with improper muscles to help with your draw, that would be more noticeable with a heavier bow. Unless you have someone telling you what you’re doing wrong with your form, how will you know with such a low poundage and close range? I’d just be careful of forming bad habits with such a low poundage bow.
If it were me I’d be out there shooting that custom bow every day for short stints at a close range. Let my muscles build up. Once you move back and lock in your anchor and draw cycle if you’re groups still aren’t tight it may be time to video yourself in slow mo or at least the arrow and see how well your arrows are flying. It does you no good to practice consistency if your arrows aren’t tuned, you can do everything right and they could fly wonky if not tuned well. At this stage having a point weight set is helpful so as your draw develops you can add or remove weight to match your shot and bow.
I like instinctive archery and shooting to be natural. Meaning I’m out there just shooting and learning how my movements and interaction with the bow, string, arrow, affect the flight. It’s almost like you’re teaching yourself as you go. I realize this may not be the most efficient or most desirable method but it matches the style and happiness I feel shooting traditional archery.
Man I need to shoot my bow lol