Confused on getting going again???

[07kawasakiKLR]

Hello,
 
I am asking thoughts on my shooting situation. I had shot a longbow a few years back right handed even though I was left eye dominant. I shot fairly well at 20 yrds, not bad at 25 and at 30 would have a few flyers at times.
 
I have picked up the bow again after these few years and do not shoot well at all. I do not use any part of the arrow or bow to aim, so my question is; Should I consider trying to shoot left handed since my dominant eye is on the left under these conditions or stay with what I know and just start practicing with the right again?
 
I have been reading a lot in forums that recomend switching to the domminant side. I am 48yrs old and am not sure I should or can switch and if so, how to go about it? I know I would be weaker switching sides at first, so should I buy a cheap bow with light poundage until I get used to it and then buy a good hunting bow? I am concerned of the time and expense of all of this if I even need to consider switching to the dominant side since I do not aim with the arrow or bow?
 
Sorry for the long wind, but any insight or experinces would be greatly appreciated on my situation as I am not sure what to do.
 
Thank you,
John

[McDave]

Some people want to shoot either right or left handed, regardless of their eye dominance, and there is some question about whether it really makes much difference if you are shooting instinctively.  But most instructors and texts recommend shooting with your dominant eye over the arrow.  I mean, if you're shooting instinctively, you want the arrow to go where you're looking, and it's more likely to do that if the arrow is under your dominant eye.  My experience is that if you switch sides, you will not feel uncomfortable with it after a week or so.  It would be a good idea to start with a bow that you can draw and hold without straining.

However, none of this has anything to do with why you're shooting much worse than you were before.  A little worse would be expected after a long layoff, but much worse means you're using bad form in some aspect of your shot without knowing it.  Maybe if you switch sides, you won't repeat the form error.  However, I can almost guarantee you that you will pick up others, because that's just how this game is played.  Mastering the game means learning to identify your form errors so you can recognize them when they happen in the future.

[reddogge]

Try to shoot some arrows at a 18" vertical line of tape on your target from close to relatively far like 35 yards and all yardages in between. If you can hold the arrows in line with the tape you should be able to work out your problem. If you are missing wide right and left a lot then I'd consider switching to the dominant eye side.

The ability to shoot a line is very important no matter what method of aiming you do. I do that drill myself from time to time to keep sharp.

[07kawasakiKLR]

Thank you both for your thoughts and suggestions, I really appreciate it!