QuoteOriginally posted by Bisch:
On every bow I have ever tried it on, 3-under was louder than split.

Bisch

Same here. Some MUCH more than others.
seemed the shorter the bow the louder 3 under got.
...kinda makes sense when you think about it.

I've gone from 2 split to 2 under and hate tbe noise but love the arrow a bit closer to my eye. Due to a shoulder injury it is hard for me to do split with a high anchor. Played with different tiller and lime others I didn't find any difference.

I experimented with 3 under and it felt awkward to me. That along with the much louder sound at the shot was the deal killer for me. I shoot split only. Every bow that I have tried was louder. That is only a few bows so it is not an exhaustive test on my part.

I tried three fingers under for a while on a few bows I own and it was noisier for me too.

I have noticed that kids and beginners I sometimes coach are immediately more accurate at close range using three under, but long term, I personally prefer split for reasons mentioned and other.

Double post... first time!

The critters I have pursued have never displayed that they discerned a difference, yet we are aware there is some distinction.

I shoot three under and can tell if I get a smooth release or not by the noise level. If I do my job right, my bow is quiet, If I pluck the string, it twangs quite loudly.

I switched to 3 under a few years ago. I wouldn't go back to split. I like the feel of my anchor now, I am noticeably more accurate, I haven't met a Bow I couldn't get quiet enough to hunt, and reading an animals body language is more important to me anyway.

You can also move your anchor to a higher check anchor and still keep split.  The reason three under is more accurate is because people are using the arrow tip to aim - the more directly under the eye it is, and the closer the gap between arrow tip and target the more accurate most will be.  I actually anchor using my top finger (split) into bottom of my eye orbit and it gives me about the same sight picture as using three under anchoring at ear or corner of mouth

I said bottom but meant inside edge of eye orbit

My 3-under anchor is the same as my split anchor was...index finger at corner of mouth. The only difference is the arrow nock is above my index finger instead of below it. The arrow is 3/4" nearer my eye but still 2-1/2 below it. I agree that having the arrow more closely aligned to the eye will tend to aid accuracy for many. But there's one more thing....

If I try to anchor with my hand higher on my face I find my anchor tends to move laterally due to the fact my face isn't square...it's tapered. (Consider the position of your cheekbone to the corner of your mouth.) I can correct for that movement by moving the anchor inward toward my eye, but (for me) 2 things happen: my release isn't as clean and comfortable and every so often I'll manage to abuse the side of my nose.

My most solid and reliable anchor is 3-under / index at corner of mouth / thumb under jaw. I use this anchor and otherwise shoot exactly the same way I do (did) split. Clean release and clean arrow flight.