I was concerned too when I read your post that shooting problems with the compound and accessories. This is a mental issue rather than an equipment one. I agree with others, when the references are lost (the sights, peeps, etc.) it is even easier for the mind to wander. I just worry that your traditional experience will go downhill quickly.
However, in your later posts you indicate you are shooting well and have confidence in your recurve shooting. To quote the fellow at Emerald City, ' this is a horse of a different color'!
If you goal is to leave the compound....then full steam ahead. If you have no interest in returning to the compound I woulnd't concern myself about fixing those shooting problems.
However, you must ((like all of us) make sure your shooting process doesn't lead to problems with your traditional experience.
It is far more important to think about keeping the bow arm and the drawing back active as you allow aiming to happen while concentrating on proper follow-through. In other words, the "back of the shot" is far more imporant than the "front of the shot".
I've been working on this all year. But that's enough about me.
This is how I deal with aiming. I don't claimm to be an instinctive shot. Whenever, I've shot without sights (1963-1974 with recurves and 1975-1981 with compounds) I was a gap shooter. Now, I shot enough under 30 yards that the gap was mostly a subconscious consideration. Frankly, many would call that instinctive. It wasn't for me because when I changed to a new distance (let's say 35 yards) I had to program that new gap by shooting a lot.
I was shooting from Dec. 2009-early August this way as I converted from compounds (no shooting issues)to recurve. Then in August discovered "string walking". I added 10 yards to my effective range in just two weeks by using this method.
First I estimate the range (under 30 yards is pretty easy, under 20 is child's play). Then I place my three fingers under a specific (color-coded) tied on nock locator. This placement allows me to establish a sight picture (I won't call it aiming) that has my arrow point on the deer's heart as I draw and come to anchor. With this picture in my mind aiming takes place. I spend my time thinking about keeping the muscles active, firmly at anchor and then think "thumb to shoulder". I instantly relax my drawing hand and the string goes. My draw hand immediately slides under my ear to my shoulder (but along my face). My bow hand (the most difficult part of follow through for me) allows the bow to move forward, to the side and down a bit. The arrow is long gone before the bow moves. This is the "archery swing" -- just like baseball, tennis, golf etc. there is a swing (follow-through) to the archery shot.
One last tip. It is critical to focus on how the shot felt and how you might perform the shot better next time. This is instead of berating oneself for missing or focusing only on the result. Get your mind thinking about what you want to do rather than what not to do. Think "stay onside" rather than thinking "not jumping off-sides".
Topic: I think it is time!?! (Read 327 times)
