how long at anchor?

[DamselflyFarm]

Snap shooter here, though I can hold for a few seconds if need be. Prefer not to.

[RecurveRookie]

I can hold for 10 seconds, then start shaking (47 # recurve).  I suggest a light enough draw weight to allow you accuracy, develop your form, and practice a lot.  However, your strength will build and you may want a heavier bow within a few months.  Good Luck

[twistedlim]

I go ala G Fred.  My spot is acquired long before I reach full draw, do I have no hesitation.  But then again I am not the best shot either.

[pirate63]

I would say 2-3 seconds at anchor as an average. I seem to feel comfortable at that point.

[njloco]

Until I see my sight window with my spot inside it, 1-3 seconds.

[eddings220]

I release when I reach my anchor, no holding. I have found that when trying to hold for at least 2 seconds I seem to lose accuracy. For me, a slow, smooth, and consistant draw is vital to my accuracy.

[Terry Green]

About this long.....unless the game dictates I hold and reengage back tension when the shot window opens again.

 Isolation repeat & slo-mo

[gretchen]

Hold as long as it takes to get the arrow to the spot youre wanting to hit....sometimes i hold for less than a second....I ALWAYS get to anchor,settle in,let the bow settle aim the arrow,then pull thru my release.....

However long it takes.

Dewayne Martin

[TSP]

With targets you can hold at anchor until the cows come home and the only pressure you'll feel is what your mind and/or draw weight will generate.  The bullseye isn't looking at you and it isn't going to go away.  But with animals and especially when hunting thick cover, if you can't pick a spot and then hit close to it within a few seconds of drawing your bow then the critter will often move off, or move enough to ruin what had been a golden opportunity.  A controlled but reasonably quick shot has definate advantages in hunting situations and like any aspect of shooting it just takes practice to get effective with it.  I sure wouldn't want to have to RELY on a 5 or 6 second hold-at-anchor style to make shots on game.

[champ38]

I hold like Fred Bear..just dont shoot hit like him    

[will_hunt]

I have posted very little in six years.  My opinion may bring the wrath of some--it is only one opinion that I have earned over a life time of doing this.  THE LONGER YOU HOLD AT ANCHOR, THE MORE YOU ARE AIMING AS OPPOSED TO PURELY INSTINCTIVE SHOOTING. I do not play golf, but if you watch the great golfers of our time you will see ZERO hesitation at the pinnacle of the back swing.  I have never seen much difference in the two actions.  The golfer and the archer use one implement to drive an object forward.  Putting is even more obvious because of the precision. If you are holding at anchor, you are thinking.  If you think, you aim. Snap shooting gets some sort of bad rap. Is this not truly and purely instinctive? I AM NOT SAYING YOUR ARE WRONG FOR HOLDING LONGER AT FULL DRAW. I am saying that a person should not be discouraged for aiming, drawing,(or is drawing, aiming...hmm), anchoring, and releasing in one fluid, consistent motion without pausing to think about it. TRY THIS: SOME NIGHT WHEN THERE IS NO MOON SET UP A TARGET IN YOUR GARAGE. LIGHT A BIG EMERGENCY CANDLE AND SET IT IN FRONT OF THE TARGET. WALK OUT ON THE DRIVE WAY WITH A SINGLE ARROW AND SHOOT OUT THE FLAME  AT 20 YARDS. SEE HOW LONG YOU WANT TO HOLD WHEN IT IS JUST YOU AND THE SMALLEST PARTICLE TO SHOOT AT--YOU CANNOT SEE THE BOW OR THE ARROW OR YOUR WIFE'S SUV. DO THIS AT MIDNIGHT SO IF YOU MISS, THE RACKET OF AN ARROW BOUNCING AROUND (gotta love a little pressure) THE GARAGE AWAKENS EVERYONE IN THE HOUSE. This topic is like religion, no one wants to hear there's is wrong. NOT SAYING THAT.

[will_hunt]

Did I mention that you need to turn all the lights off in the garage for the aforementioned exercise? Hahaha!

[S.C. Hunter]

Originally posted by McDave:
If you want to know how long you're holding at anchor, or if you want to practice holding for a particular amount of time, they make some neat metronome aps for the iPhone. I have one called Tempo, and use it now whenever I practice on the blank bale.  You just turn it on and set it somewhere close enough to hear the clicks, and it will count off the seconds until you stop it.

Thanks for the app suggestion. I just downloaded it to my phone. Now I don't have to ask my daughter to stop what she is doing to time my holds.

[S.C. Hunter]

I agree with Stumpkiller I do what the situation dictates. I am a fast shooter by nature. It is the most natural method for me to shoot. I reach anchor focus and she is gone. Now with that said I had a back problem and a slight shoulder issue about 1 year ago and some bad habits started to form. I got to a point where I was short drawing trying to shoot when I should have taken some time off from shooting. My posture changed my head was moving forward all of which is bad news. I have spent the last few weeks working on my form all over again. Posture, head position reaching full draw using back tension settle in and focus before releasing the arrow.

With the help of one of our members here I have really made a effort to make these a priority in my shooting routine. Thanks Moebow! One thing he had me do is practice these things but I do not shoot at a target. I blind bale or just practice in a mirror. I did cheat one day and took a few shots at a lemon on the ground, I shocked myself I drew the bow, held at anchor settled in, focused and let her go. My need to release on contact with my anchor or failure to reach full draw and anchor was gone. I will still probably shoot fast when I go back to my regular shooting style. I just won't feel the urge to release before I am truly ready. Through my practice I can now hold for a full 20 seconds for a few reps and when I do shoot into a bale my avg hold is 1.5-1.8 sec and if I need to can hold longer.

Training and shooting are two different animals and I have a much better feel for both after my change.

[Safari Scott]

I did 6 when I was getting used to my 62, but now about 3-4 is nice.