What matters most is...

[TSP]

Nearly everyone says that the shooter matters most when it comes to archery competition (i.e., skill level).  I'll buy that, but what about the rest of the story?  Here's some commom areas of hot debate for conjuring up rules of fair competition.  So, what matters most? 'Splain your choice, please.

[ericmerg]

i feel i get a better release with a 3 under grip but i shoot split due to its just how i do it lol i shoot tighter groups at 20 yards with split but its nowhere near what im looking at but on spplit i shoot alright and its where i want

[centaur]

You can be a great archer, but without arrows of whatever material tuned to your bow, accuracy will suffer.

[Jake Diebolt]

I honestly don't think any of those are enough of a reason to make a division, but I ended up saying bow design. Still, the only way i think I would make a division out of it would be if it was like self-bows and 'modern' longbows and recurves.

[macbow]

I put bow design just to answer  I don't really care about the divisions. I shoot to work on my shooting. Shooting under competition brings out the bugs to be ironed out.

[BWD]

Didn't vote, since I think the ability of the individual shooting the bow matters the most.

[maineac]

I went with anchor as a choice.  I think that a consistent repeatable anchor and solid form are what matter most. Get that down and you wil be able to shoot any bow well.

[Rick Richard]

I did not vote either because I think for me it is bow control over any listed in the poll.

[ChuckC]

None of the above matter. .  almost at all.

A near perfect arrow strike, in a good area, with a sharp broadhead, allowing adequate penetration thru adequate internal structure to allow for a quick death and. .  as a bonus. .  an adequate trail to follow.  That,  by any means it takes you to achieve, is ultimately the MOST important.
ChuckC

[lpcjon2]

Pressure and the ability to handle it makes the difference.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Nearly everyone says that the shooter matters most when it comes to archery competition  

They are right on the money in most cases. IMO ...

BUT....If the shooter expects to be much of a competitor at all..... he spends a time tuning his equipment and a LOT of time with building wood shafts for long bow class competition.....

you won't see a world class competitor shooting bent arrows that weigh 50 grains in difference.


i didn't vote.... because there is no correct answer. The correct answer is a combination of well tuned equipment AND the shooter.

Which is more important?  The chicken, or the egg?

[lt-m-grow]

I didn't vote, as I don't think I understood the question...but I would offer that my shooting improved the most by working on and achieving a consistent multipoint anchor.   That might have been what you meant in the second question but the string walking and stuff threw me off.

Regarding equipment, I don't think it matters much.  I believe most, (not all but most) equipment outshoots the shooter - by a lot.

[TSP]

The question relates to competition rather than to general shooting or hunting...things that are often debated regarding the degree to which they can affect the outcome of a competition, other things being equal.  Obviously there's no 'right' answer but the topics posed do seem to cover a big chunk of 'problem areas' whenever arguements come up over shooting rules.  Another one that could have been added is shooting classes (too many or too few).  But, of those posted I find the type of arrow makes a huge difference in how scores may end up. It's been said that any bow is a good bow but it's the arrow that makes the difference when shooters are equal in skill.  Having shot all three arrow materials I feel that's true, which is why I'm an advocate of separating classes by arrow type as much as any other criteria.  But, everyone has their own ideas and that's why we have sites like this one...to express them for knowledge and entertainment.  For those who didn't vote because they didn't like the choices, feel free to add your two cents as to what DOES make a key difference for YOU, regarding competitive advantage.