shooting left of target

[Angus]

This has probably been mentioned elsewhere, but here goes!  I shoot to the left!  Firehawk [email protected] inches, arrows spined for that weight, 5-inch feathers, 125gr heads.  I don't drop the bow, get decent groups (5-inches or so), have a decent follow through, finish where everything's supposed to wind up, and can't seem to get the first shot where I think I'm aiming!  It's not a true center shot bow, and my arrows are usually flying straight off the shelf, not wiggling a little then straightening out. Could I be plucking the string?  I tend to have a deep hook and shoot a tab.  Any thoughts, gang?  I'd really like to hit where I aim on the first shot.

[Dano]

I'd try a lighter spinned arra first, or maybe add some heavier heads.

[Horne Shooter]

Angus,

I have had the same problem in the past and found that (at least with me) I was not coming to full draw.  Not sure if the short draw increased my arrow spine or chaged my sight picture or what... but when I started using a clicker it went away.  It made sure I was at the same spot before release each time I shot.  Eventually, I took the cliker off and the "lefts" stayed away.  I still do though keep a clicker handy in case the problem arises again.

[Orion]

Is it just the first shot, or all of them?  Might you be left eye dominant?  Try closing it and see what happens.  Might try turning your head a little more to the left before you draw. You could be looking across the arrow rather than straight over it.  You might be plucking.  When you're ready to release the arrow, don't consciously try to get your fingers off the string.  Just tell your self it's ok to let go.  Good luck.

[BobW]

Horne Shooter has a good one.  I, myself see the same thing happen.  Good group, good flight, but left.  Make an effort to "touch your shoulder blades".

BobW

[HATCHCHASER]

You may be torquing the bow.  If I shoot left it's either torquing the bow or not squaring my face to the target.  If you are right handed try turning your head more to the left.

[The Whittler]

Try bringing your brace hight up a little and see if that don't pull your arrows back to center. If your a right handed.

Alan

[leatherneck]

How did you determine your correct shaft spine? After bareshafting, were you still hitting left? Try a really heavy head and see what happens. I mean 250 to 300. If you go right, then you know your problem.Then start over and get some lighter shafts.  Go to OL Adcocks page and read his arrow tuning section.  This is all assuming your form is correct as you say. All the other "fixes" mentioned above have to be right before you check your spine.

It can't be plucking or you would go to the right. Assuming you are a right hand shooter. Hope this helps.

[AkDan]

If it's not spine, check your form alignment.  Weather you aim conciously or not, moving that rear end of the arrow will move your downrange impact, so over drawing or short drawing will give you left and right errors.

[Keuka]

Plucking the string is a very common problem and can make you hit to the left. I find when my release is clean, no plucking, my hand or fingers always touch or brush my face and ear after I release. If your release is clean and plucking the string is not the problem, try canting the top bow limb a little more toward the right. That should move the point of impact to the right. Good Luck.

[slow walker]

Well, you must remember that the rear of the arrow is like the rear sight on a rifle.  If you're getting good arrow flight  and holding your bow hand steady...your problem is in your release...Your string hand must be well anchored and not moving all around from place to place on release.  If you're allowing your string hand to "wander" you'll get unpredictable arrow placement.

[Angus]

Thanks, all.  I think I may be plucking a little. Probably should be checking my release with a video to make sure.  The bow hand is steady, and I'm strongly right-eye dominant.  I've checked spine with the gauge, but maybe I should retest the poundage to make sure I've got it right.  This is a relatively new bow, a little more powerful than my Martin, but I'll bet that my shoulders and releasing at full draw are being "rushed" with the increased poundage.  I'm not overbowed if I don't shoot a lot of arrows in each practice session.

[Angus]

Oooops!! hit the wrong button!  Paul, my gut tells me you have the problem-I'll try a little fiddling with my anchor point some-I use the corner of my mouth.  It may be less solid than I'd like.  Back when I was shooting leagues with the wheels, I used the jawbone, and that eliminated any "free floaters". It's probably a combination of little stuff.  On the shots I kinda hurry, I can count on putting it about six inches to the left.  Thanks again, everybody.  It's raining now, and probably for the next few days, but I'll report back this weekend; "film at 11" as they say!

[Steve Milbocker]

Bow hand and back tension. You are probably dropping your bow hand if its not a spine issue. I have the same issue,especially when I'm tired. If I maintain back tension and push with my bow hand the problem goes away.Assuming your right handed.

[Cameron]

I have that same problem and it makes me want to quit archery.  Here is the latest solution that seems to be working.  Canting my bow more.  I am left eye dominant and this gets my dominant eye more "on top" of the arrow.  That usually gets the arrows flying straight again.

good luck,

[Kingstaken]

How about turning alil right to compensate.  

[Angus]

think I found the problem, and thanks everyone, for good advice!  It looks like I'm rushing the shot, not "pinching the shoulders". I'm beginning to get great groups where I'm pointing!