New Guy Here - Looking Advice

[BoonDock]

I am a compound shooter and have become very interested in trad shooting here in the past couple of months. I am very interested in starting to 3D shoot and want to begin tuning my form. With that said, time to pick a form!

When I pick up my bow (#1 Red Wing Hunter by Wing Archery 51" @ 28" and #2 Anneewakee Addiction 43" @ 28") my natural form is to draw and anchor my pointer finger knuckle under my cheekbone, close one eye and aim. I have always shot my compound with one eye closed and have always shot guns with one eye closed. It's what comes natural to me. I have tried shooting both eyes open and my groups are all over the place and I can't get a read on where my next shot may strike. I shoot three fingers and release by letting the string "slip" from my fingers. I bend slightly at the knees and keep my upper body posture straight while leaning in to my bow slightly.

I am typically holding a group inside of 1 foot with 5 arrows @ 20 yards. I will throw one out of the group about every 10 shots. Generally speaking, I would put about 7 out of 10 shots in the vital organs of a deer at 20 yards. I have not shot beyond 20 yards enough to have any data on my grouping.

My question is am I doing anything that is a certain pitfall for a beginner trad archer? If so, how would you correct it?

Thanks in advance for everyone's help!

[McDave]

No certain pitfalls. It's a big tent.

You can certainly look forward to improving your shooting over time. You might look into classes, or even a coach if a trad coach is available in your area.

There is a series of DVD's called Masters of the Bare Bow, which are up to 4 disks now, which are great, and you would probably enjoy.

[BoonDock]

I have heard of Masters of the Bare Bow and definitely want to check it out! I'm glad to know there is no definite thing I am doing wrong.

[Golden]

I'm not much of a advice giver i can tell ya what work for me when i throw out my compounds lol.  Be open to change in every detail of your form. I now shoot with both eyes open and a cant. I changed my footing some to. It was a big change but worth it. Tobe honest i shoot better now the compounds are gone lol best of luck to you