Can you shoot a traditional bow in a vertical plane?

[GMMAT]

Not "almost" vertical....."vertical".

Can you see your intended target if you hold your bow vertical?  

I can't.  I'm a RH shooter (right eye dominant).  When I hold the bow vertical, it blurs my sight picture.  I thought I could still see my point (I'm picking out small points at varying distances), but noticed when I close my non dominant eye (left), the upper limb blocks my point I'm tryin to aim at.  When I close my dominant eye (right), I can see the point.....but I see NO point in attempting to shoot that way.

So why do we traditional shooters cant the bow.....if not to get a sight window?

And...can you shoot with your bow 100% in the vertical plane?

Thanks.

[Firstarrow]

I have a buddy who shoots verticle. He is like a machine. Few could ever out shoot him.

The drawback is that when you have a 60+ inch bow,  some times verticle doesn't work in a hunting situation.

[Tilzbow]

When shooting close I cant my bow a bit to take the upper limb out of the sight picture. When shooting 40 yards or further I mostly shoot it verticle. I shoot split fingers and I bet you do to if you have the issue with the upper limb blocking the spot when shooting close.

[Terry Green]

Yes I can.....but only do if the game dictates that shot.

I cant for several reasons....mainly to see the whole playing field....and not have it partially blocked by limbs or risers.

My eyes are my sites....and as a bowhunter I need to see the field with both of them.

[GMMAT]

Well, canting the bow (for a RH) gets the arrow more under our dominant eye.  I can see that benefit.

I can't see my MINUTE intended POI if my bow's vertical.  Can I see the "target" (entire target)??  Sure.  

Terry....interesting.  Both eyes are the sights.  Next time you come to full draw....close each of them, independently.  If I could only see with my left eye (in the case of my riser being in the way of my dominant eye), I'd surely be aiming differently (and shooting LH).  I could close the left and probably still shoot fine (started that way with a compound, before seeing the light).  I couldn't hit water if I fell out of a boat with my right eye closed.

I guess I'm weird.....lol.  If my bow's VERTICAL (not "almost"),  I can't see a minute spot (with the eye that needs to be seeing it).  The upper limb blocks it out.

[waiting4fall]

Very interesting topic. This is something I've never really thought about, but you got me thinking. So for illustration purposes, this is how I cant my bow when shooting.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWAnc3FjUvw&feature=channel_page

[R H Clark]

I think a lot depends on how you anchor and your aiming system.The only time I must cant to see the target is with longbows with very short or no sight windows.I shoot 3 under and the target isn't that far above my arrow point.

In a target situation I like a vertical bow.I think it helps with right and left misses.As a bow hunter,I think you should practice all bow angles even vertical.Who knows what might be in the way to block a perfect bow position?

[Jason R. Wesbrock]

Originally posted by GMMAT:
Not "almost" vertical....."vertical".

Can you see your intended target if you hold your bow vertical?  

 

Absolutely. That's how I shoot unless a particular shot calls for something different. I generally don't cant unless I have to.

[SHOOTO8S]

Some bows simply do not have enough sight window to shoot the bow vertical...especially split finger.

I don't own any of those bows  

[Terry Green]

Too Funny Rod!!!

[ksbowman]

I shoot with my bow vertical almost all of the time. I only cant when it is needed for a certain shot when conditions dictate it. I also use an elevated rest which means at anything closer than 30 yards I am looking thru my top limb. You must shoot with both eyes open to see thru the top limb. If you close one eye the top limb is opaque, both open it is transparent.  Ben

[Chris Wilson]

Originally posted by Jason R. Wesbrock:
 

Originally posted by GMMAT:
Not "almost" vertical....."vertical".

Can you see your intended target if you hold your bow vertical?  

 

Absolutely. That's how I shoot unless a particular shot calls for something different. I generally don't cant unless I have to. [/b]

Same here.

[GroundHunter]

You sould be able to see the spot verticle or canted. You may need to check whether your right eye is the dominant eye. if it is, you should check your "line". is the arrow alligned with your spot as you draw? it's not if you can't see the spot or the arrow. OK, we don't focus on the arrow, but it should be in the peripheral vison of your domopnant eye, as the spot shout be in total focus. If you are blocking the spot with the bow, you must be angling the bow out of line. The "line" is everything - from your eye to the spot, from your elbow through the arrow to the spot (adjusted for elevation.

I bet a $ you are left-eye dominant, as the test is to close the left eye, and if you are right-eye dominant, the spot is in your vision, as you are looking at it with your right (dominant) eye. If you close your left eye and the spot is blocked, you =were using your left (dominant) eye to see the spot. Close your right eye, and you see the spot - left-eye domimanat.

Anyway, if you really are right-eye dominant, and are blocking the spot in the verticle, bend your bow arm more, so it moves a little right, and you have a good "line" to the spot.

[MMilin]

I can, and generally do, shoot my bow in a vertical attitude.

I've concluded that the best archers in the world, Olympians, do . . . so there must be sound kinesthetic science behind the practice.

Mark

[Leo L.]

Well there's one difference there, Olympians use sights.  For the barebow shooter, I feel it's more necessary to give the bow at least just a little cant to open up that sight window.

[Terry Green]

Olympian, are a one trick pony....and that's what they need to be.  Same thing over and over and over.

Bowhunters need lots of tricks in their bag.  Whether your 'back yard go to' shot is vertical or canted really doesn't matter....but you'll sure be more versatile, more successful, and take more game if you can cant the bow at various angles to capitalize on shot opportunities...cause we don't always get those 'Olympian' shots.  If you only have one shot the bow is controlling the shot, if you can shoot from multiple cant angles, then the bowhunter is in charge.

BTW....anyone remember the American Gold medalist a few years ago that missed his 1st two deer on camera the season after he won the gold?

[**DONOTDELETE**]

[Orion]

Reread what Rod said.  Funny, but also true.  With a center cut recurve with a short sight window, the upper limb will block your sight on a vertically held bow.  No problem with any other type of bow.  Those are the ones I own as well.