Contemplaring A Change to Three Under

[Outrigger]

Now that hunting season is all but over, I am thinking about making a change from split-finger to three under, and would appreciate some of your thoughts and suggestions. First, I am contemplating this change because I think it would especially help me maintain a better sight picture when shooting from an elevation (i.e., a treestand). Will that be the case?
If I make the change, which way will I need to move my nocking point? I read that most bows shoot with more noise and vibration when shot three under. Is there anything I can do to minimize this? My bow is a one piece recurve (Martin Dream Catcher). Will the additional vibration shorten the life of the bow? I know I am asking a lot of questions here, so thanks for any replies.

[Gordon Jabben]

I hunt too much small game where many times you need a quick second shot or you take shots at running game to ever switch to three under.  If my main concern was target shooting I would shoot three under.  I really don't see any advantage with three under for tree stand hunting unless it would be accuracy.  Just my opinion.

[canopyboy]

I started split.  Switched to three under, and was able to see an immediate improvement as it brought the arrow closer to my eye.  But a couple of years later I had become more instinctive.  The arrow in the sight picture wasn't as important.  At that point, being able to have more control over the arrow in awkward shooting positions that is afforded with split finger made me switch back.  After a couple of weeks of hitting too high, my brain adjusted and I was just as accurate.  I've also been teaching people introductory archery (Girl Scouts mainly.)  Many have an easier time with three under, again because of the proximity to the eye I think.  It also allows you to string walk if you ever want to go that way.  And there are a lot of very accomplished hunters on this forum to testify that three under works well for them years down the road too.

But I think after you get comfortable with your point of aim, instinctive shooting, etc, it doesn't matter much.  Your brain compensates either way.  When it comes to tree stand shooting, you should be tilting at the waist and your sight picture should be identical to shooting from the ground, right?  Otherwise your form is more of a problem than your sight picture.  And for me, split finger allows a little more control over the arrow when quickly trying to nock an arrow hunting or shoot with some reverse cant, etc.  Not to mention most bows are built for split and therefore you have more options when sucumbing to the bow aquisition disease many of us suffer from.

As for noise and the bow -- you'll want to move your nocking point up a little.  I've re-tillered bows and made some myself specifically for 3under.  I think they can be just as quiet that way.  But in general, most are built for split and when shooting these they will be noisier when shooting three under.  That noise and vibration is a function of more energy going into the bow (due to messed up limb timing) and not the arrow.  This may theoretically shorten the life; but I think in the real world you'd be hard pressed to ever see the reality of that theory.

Now, I've expounded a lot here because I've thought about it alot in my own switch back and forth and bow making experiments.  But I'm no expert, so take it all with a grain a salt and a healthy shot of tequilla.  Try three under.  If you seem to group better that way, give it a shot for awhile.  You can always go back.

[damascusdave]

Since you are making a change anyway why not go to two under...not quite as noisy as 3 under and probably no need to change nocking point...for me the big advantage is having one less finger to mess up a clean release

DDave

[Bazooka Joe]

I shoot two under and have for years.  At first I thought it would put too much strain on my fingers but that hasn't happened.  I do make all my own tabs, and I do make all my own leather goods, plus I'm a custom knife maker.  Try it you'll like it.

[Shakes.602]

I started out Split-Finger as a Kid, never was too accurate. When I went over to the "Dark Side"     for a Year or 2, I shot 3 under. It improved my accuracy immensely, so after I ditched the Training Wheels, I just stayed with 3 Under and havent ever looked back!  

[BWallace10327]

I have a wide face and high cheek bones.  Anchoring with the classic middle finger corner of mouth when shooting split finger is difficult.  I have a hard time drawing straight to anchor while keeping the arrow in line with my eye. My best anchor is pointer finger to corner of mouth.  I shoot 3 under because I can anchor lower than average archer and still see the arrow in my peripheral vision.  That is what is comfortable to me.

[flinthead]

3 under also keeps that troublesome callus from forming on the bottom side of your pointer finger. Tried everything to avoid the callus as it would sometimes bleed if a long weekend of shooting happened. Even with the big shot glove it would get sore. No problem now. Putting that nock point higher and adjusting brace height should cut out the extra noise. Thanks, Roy

[moththerlode]

Grew up shooting split finger, worked fine if I stayed at say 20 yards and under. Keeping in mind that I like to shoot more than just hunting distances, of coarse more practice at various distances would help immensely in that regard.
With 3 under it is just much easier regardless of distance.  
Also with 3 under my brain wants to line everything up due to the sight picture with the point, if all isn't correct as far as head position ect.. I will shoot any where except down the pike.
Where with me and split it didn't really matter as my brain made the adjustment due to not paying any attention to the arrow.
I think with the noise aspect, much of it is due to the 3rd finger issues which effects tiller. Some say pressure of the 3rd finger but for me it was more than that and was string torque also.
Shooting 3 under compounded what was already a problem, and in turn forced me to deal with it.
In short as I get my shooting issue bugs dealt with the 3 under shooting becomes more and more of a no brainer and in turn would benefit if I decided to go back to split. just my take for myself on the subject.

[NBK]

I started split then went to three under for three seasons.  Got,used to it and felt like it allowed a more comfortable anchor.  
Thing is that when I shot three under i began to feel like more of a target archer.  Vertical bow, trying to gap, etc.  NOT everyone feels that way, but for me it just wasn't the direction I wanted to go.
Went back to split and couldn't believe how quieter my bows became.  I love to shoot and practice from all sorts of crazy cants and positions, just for the fun of it.  Having no desire to know distances I don't care about point on range, and the better arrow control of split is just better for me.  
Now after a couple of years shooting split I'm just as accurate as I was three under, ( or should I say inaccurate?!), and can't see myself going back.
Just my thoughts.

[treepasser]

I shot really well with a recurve shooting
three under but went to split finger and now shoot
equally as well and it feels more natural and is
quieter. Three under is a great way to transition
into traditional archery. But then so should
sights but that's considered taboo these days.

[Echo62]

I've shot both ways. For me three under felt better, but I was less consistant with it. I am much more consistant shooting split. I think for me, split produces a more natural cant and a better drawing arm alignment. treepasser, I don't use sights, but I would not consider them taboo. If you shoot better with them and they feel right for ya, use em.

[Todd Cook]

I shoot 3 under , but shot split for years. I shoot better 3 under, but I really think it's just what you get used to. I don't gap, but if you do 3 under would be easier I think.

[crunch]

I too shot split for a long time. I kept reading about the increase in accuracy in 3 under. I tried it off and on for a bit, but couldn't totally make up my mind. I finally decided to stick with 3 under. Probably I'm more accurate out to 30yds.
Funny, split still feels more natural to me, but I honestly don't shoot it as well as 3 under.
If I haven't shot in awhile, my first couple of shot will often go low with 3 under. Old brain pattern I guess.