which way do you shoot instinctive or aiming point(arrow tip ECT.)and if you have tried both tell us why you switched. :archer:
Instinctive. No switch. It is simple and makes moving shots on rabbits and squirrels possible.
Both. Too hard to shoot instinctive past about 35 yards and consistently hit stuff, especially with heavy arrows, so I start aiming at around 35 yards. That makes the longer 3D shots much easier. But I limit hunting shots to 25 yards.
I shoot by devoting my total vision and focus on the quarter size spot that I am wanting to hit......whatever that is called.
Winterhawk1960
Look where I want to hit and go. Don't think about range, aiming, anything like that. And don't shoot past twenty some yards at anything it would hurt to not hit clean. So pretty much only shoot at critters twenty yards or less. Stumps, grass, targets, etc can get shot at further out.
Only tried instinctive, took about 2 years to learn, I hit good to about 35 yards, limit hunting shots to less than 30.
I used to gap shoot until Rick Ellis of Striker Bows gave me some advice and explained it to me. Now I just pick a spot. My groups tightened up and I can hit a golf ball out to 30 or so yards.
I'M with Pooahl
Instinctive. Just pick a spot and focus on that spot and let my brain take over.
I envision only the crosshair spot " + " I want to hit and see none of the arrow as I'm shooting. It's instinctive to me.
instinctive
Instinctive never been able to rip the nocks off in groups but do get 3-5" groups out to 35 yards.
I will take that. My eyes are to far gone to try and gap shoot. Have tough enough time focusing on the target spot.
DD
instinctive
Instinctive can be a lucky guess! Gaps have their place. If you practice, and your mind remebers what you do for the different distances, whether the distance is known or not, then it's not instinctive. I use both. Whatever get the arrow to it's mark! :thumbsup:
Instinctive to 35 yards then point of arrow over that(targets only). Animals 25 and under.
I really can't divulge that information, or guys like Tom (above) would figure out my secret!! :biglaugh:
It's been instinctive for me.
I started out burning a hole though what I wanted to hit. That was ok but always felt the groups should be better. I then learned how to gap shoot. Groups got better but took longer to make the shot. After all that practice I don't look for the arrow anymore or set the yardage. I see my target and let it happen.
I try to pick a spot and really focus....... :pray:
Pick a spot, pick a smaller spot in that spot, concentrate on nothing else.
I've only tried instinctive..Seems to work for me..Mike
Both, I look at where I want to hit but I can see the tip of my arrow.
Dave
Well it's hard to explain :confused: If you shoot with me you'd swear I shoot POA due to my long anchor time. I hold anchor much longer than most, often holding for a few seconds instead of touching anchor and releasing. I taught myself to hold anchor to avoid "snap" shooting. My aiming method consists of focusing on a spot, but I do see my arrow in my sight pic, and use it to center my shot, but I'm oblivious to the tip of the arrow! I don't need to know or estimate yardages for my style of shooting. It comes naturally out to 30yds. I see no need to shoot past this range! No matter what your style, stick with it, and practice it :bigsmyl: often :bigsmyl: :bigsmyl: :bigsmyl:
I shoot a kind of "split vision" style of aiming. I focus my eyes on the target, but I'm aware of the gap between my blurred arrow point and it's relation to the target. From 0-15 yards I shoot more of an instinctive style, though, especially on aerials.
instinctive, when I try to gap, my arrows go everywhere
Both and anything else I can think of to get the arrow to the right mark. :biglaugh:
I gap shoot.but more of a split vison style.and good out to 30 yrds.
instinctive, hit them anchor points pause for a heart beat concentrate become one with the arrow and bow during that heart beat and relax...bam!!! in the ten ring everytime!!! ;)
Instinctive only.
i close my eyes then if i hit the mark i take credit for it, if i miss i make an excuse, blame it on wind, the arrow, or the broadhead :)
jk ..... instinctive
Instinctive I think or maybe it is better defined as split vision. I have to look up split vision to see exactly how that is defined. I just pick a spot, focus on that spot and let my brain due the rest. However, I am aware of the arrow as a reference, but I don't set any kind of gap or estimate range. I think most instinctive shooters shoot with reference to the arrow. Some just are more aware of it than others. Your brain will use anything it can for reference given the opportunity.
SnS,"I can hit a golf ball out to 30 or so yards."
Heck, I can't hit one standing on top of it.
Focus on a spot and make the shot, and of course much practice!
I guess there are not many of us Gap shooters out there.
Split vision, gap, or whatever you want to brand it; I judge the shot using the point of the arrow.
Instinctive only;never tryed anything different,that looks to work for me.
I can only hit that golf ball if I stay tuned up. If I don't shoot for a few weeks I can't hit the broadside of a barn. LOL
I can effectively hit a golf ball out to 100yrd no problem with a 1 wood and a straight fairway...LOL
I used to shoot instinctive, but have recently been messing with gap shooting more. Sometimes, shooting instinctive, I can't miss, but I wanted something a bit more consistent and gap seems to do that for me. It seems that instinctive for me, when I'm on, is more spot-on accurate, esp. at closer distances, but when off, the arrow will be wildly off-target. With gap, the arrow will more consistenly be on a pie-plate sized target. I typically hold longer when gap shooting. Sometimes I shoot gapstinctive (I will notice the gap, but not consciously think of how much gap I need for a certain range, just shoot when the gap "feels right"). I guess after 25+ years of shooting I'm still trying to figure out what style is best for me. That's the fun of traditional archery. Everyone misses occasionally.
I don't know!
It's about the same way I shoot a shotgun I guess. I concentrate on my spot, but I can't help but see the arrow, sort of. I never consciously see the bead on a shotgun either. I guess it's instinctive because I suck at math. If I had to go through all the calculations you gap shooters use, the deer would be long gone. I pick a spot as soon as I decide I'm going to shoot the animal. When I am comfortable with the location of the critter, I come to full draw. I can see my arrow, but it's pretty fuzzy. At my age, unless I am using my trifocals, anything at arm's length is fuzzy. I don't have any little green lights or anything either. My mind just says, "Okay, I've got this shot." Then I am watching my arrow in flight. I rarely recall releasing. I know I don't think now release. The arrow leaves when it's ready. I'm sure my bow hand raises or lowers the arrow depending on the distance, but I don't really think that much about it.
Is that instinctive?
Does "poorly" count as a method?
I can't seem to maintain enough concentration to make three good shots in a row and get a nice group. I'm usually good for two arrows, then the third one seems to have a mind of its own. Not to mention a five arrow flight then it gets real ugly.
QuoteOriginally posted by bartcanoe:
Does "poorly" count as a method?
I can't seem to maintain enough concentration to make three good shots in a row and get a nice group. I'm usually good for two arrows, then the third one seems to have a mind of its own. Not to mention a five arrow flight then it gets real ugly.
If you are hunting, the first one is the one that matters anyway. ;)
Focus on spot to hit...out of peripheral my mind checks to see it the arrow is lined up to hit it...if not my mind tells my bow arm to move up or down...no point of aim or gap, I'm not looking directly at the arrow...just making adjustments from info taken in. Everyone does this whether they admit it or not....oh boy that ought to get a response. :biglaugh:
Instinctive.
Yes, "snag", I agree with what you said about "everyone doing this whether they admit it or not".
I also liked what "Doug Treat" said about "gapstinctive". That sums up what a lot of people do and don't realize it.
I'm a three-under POA shooter. My point-on distance is about 26 yards.
Shot split-finger instinctive/burn-a-hole method for a few years and never got the accuracy I felt I needed.
Around 20 yards I shoot instinctively, much further I use gap. Unless it is a small fast moving target at any range then gap is so much faster and accurate for me than instinctive.
Instinctive :archer:
Instinctive by picking a dime sized spot no more than 30 yards away at my present skill level. If someone mentors me a better way I would switch in a second. Anything I could do to improve my chances of a clean kill is acceptable as long as it is keeping with my idea of traditional archery.
F R
Very poorly unless I practice, practice, practice!! When I'm off I have a book of excuses I've used so often now all I do is quote page, paragraph, and line number.
I shoot split finger and my best practice is in the dark with a candle lit target. Just take care that the candle is far enough out from the target that if you don't put out the flame your arrow is far enough in the target that the flame doesn't get it. I use a metal coffee can turned upside down to hold the candle. It keeps my shots low toward the ground and if I miss too low the can lets me know.
I'd say it's a form of instictive.
God bless,Mudd
When I first started, I used a bowsight, but felt something was wrong! So i ditched it, and went on to aiming from the arrowtip/GAP,
cause there was no point in not aiming, right?
Then I heard about instinctive, tried it, and I am loving it! The way it was meant to be, for me!
Split gap, but do it instinctively/subconsciously after reaching anchor.
Keeping my shots under 20 yards and using my on-board computer has served me well for 50 years.
I concentrate on the point of desired impact out to about 20-22 yards. But once the distance is far enough that I can't really see super detail, I seem to just switch to arrow tip gap shooting. Sometimes that distance changes based on light or obstructions that might enhance or blur my ability to see my desired point of impact.
Split finger, middle finger in corner of mouth. I guess you would call it gapstintively. I use the arrow to line up then switch focus on the spot I want to hit. I hold for a couple of seconds but by the time I shoot I no longer see the arrow only the spot. I shoot light poundage (about 45lbs) so 20 yards and in are my hunting ranges. In my opinion the deer have too much time to react if i shoot further.
Instinctive, but have to admit, that longer targets at shoots do give some problems, because of my practising is in hunting distances (say 3-15 meters) and so over 30 meters its quessing mostly ;)
Tried the gap method , but somehow all the fuss with arrow point placement seemed to brake down my concentration...and here in Finland the targets are small and moving usually, so one needs to be quick with his shooting...
I converted from three fingers under about ten years ago. Used the arrow point to sight. I shoot split fingers now and i'm good to 30 yds with just instintive shooting. .............
Instinctive, and I shoot 3 under, due to Split Finger Not Getting the Arrow Close enough to My Eyeball. So far (Knock Wood) :archer:
practice, relax, good form and pick a small spot. Muscle memory-like throwing a ball into someone's glove
Instictive here also, and take shots at 20 yds or less mostly. It works well for me.
keep my eye focused on the spot i want the arrow to hit,draw to anchor,release. :thumbsup: :campfire:
"Split Vision"
Instinctive if it looks and feels good I take it. That is usualy 20yds and under for deer size and 30yrds and under for elk size. Widow
I've always gun barreled the arrow. Kind of like looking down the side of a shotgun but without the bead. I don't know if you would call it instinctive or gap. I don't anchor very long before I shoot especially on moving targets. Sometimes I don't always even come to full draw. Must have developed this style during bow fishing.
Instinctive.