Shooting High In Low Light

[Outrigger]

When target practicing in the late evening, I am consistently shooting high. I do OK at very close range, but if I move out much beyond fifteen or so yards, I hit several inches high. Any thoughts on why this occurs ?

[McDave]

Some of the things you have to get used to are the differences in shooting from light areas into dark areas, and vice versa, and shooting under different lighting conditions in general.  With practice, you will make the necessary adjustments without having to think about it too much.

[Outrigger]

Originally posted by McDave:
Some of the things you have to get used to are the differences in shooting from light areas into dark areas, and vice versa, and shooting under different lighting conditions in general.  With practice, you will make the necessary adjustments without having to think about it too much.

Understood, but I am still puzzled about the mechanics behind this. Even when I intensely focus on my form, I still shoot high. I am thinking that the low light might be disrupting my sight picture, but I am not sure. Also I wear progressive lenses, which generally don't interfere with my shooting, but I am beginning to wonder if they might not work so seamlessly in low light.

[McDave]

A possible problem with progressive lenses is that focus drops off rapidly as you glance to the side. I was given instructions with mine to point my nose at whatever I wanted to see. Since my range of motion of my neck isn't sufficient to point both my nose and my shoulders at the target, I've never used them for archery.  It could be that a slight out of focus condition that doesn't bother you during the day is enough to throw your shot off at night. Or, it could be that the target just looks further away at night, and your brain is adjusting accordingly.

[Outrigger]

McDave, that makes a ton of sense, and possibly explains another difficulty I have (shooting from and elevation). I grew up with a recurve in hand, but have only hunted deer with a compound. I have attributed my being able to shoot a compound very well from a treestand to the proper alignment achieved by using a peep sight and front sight. While that will benefit any archer, it possibly is especially beneficial to one wearing progressive lenses. On the other hand, shooting a bare bow could be much harder without the benefit of forced alignment of a peep and front sight. As I reflect on this, the only thing that ever bothered me about wearing progressive lenses was when I looked straight down from a treestand. Odd thing is, wearing progressive lenses never interfered with me when I use to play a lot of tennis.

[Bow Bum]

All the accessories you describe, help line up the bow more than the archer. A lined up bow can shoot well with bad form.

Also, odd conditions that you may not think will affect your shooting will. For example I cannot shoot for CRAP when wearing a ballcap with the bill forward. I have no clue why. I need a skullcap, no cap, or the ball cap must be turned backwards.

I also know that lighting can mess up my concentration, with the wheels and the recurve. I tend to shoot high in funny lighting, probably because its hard to conentrate on the "spot"

Hope that helps, and good luck!

B

[EHK]

One other thought on this...   As light levels decrease, it simply becomes harder to pick a spot.  I don't know what kind of target you are shooting at, but the problem is compounded when shooting at a 3D target.  The outline of the target becomes more apparent, and if you're not really focused on a point, then your eye is naturally drawn to the outline/back/top of the target.

[mahantango]

EHK, x2. I also think this occurs with low light and pressured shots on real deer.

[JDunlap]

I have the same issue in low light conditions. I can be spot on in terms of high and low, but as it gets late twilight, my shots get higher. I can feel like I am right on target, with great release and everything, but the arrows go high. It is clearly a perception issue.