how long at anchor?

[D. Key]

I'm lucky if I get to full draw. Chronic target panic. If I do make it to full draw it is only for a second at best. I guess I am what you would call a "snap shooter".

[champ38]

I release when I get to anchor, no holding.

[huntnmuleys]

Shoot well and feels more natural to snap shoot, but if necessary hold it back until a animal clears for a shot. I haven't found myself to be any more or less accurate doing either, but shooting faster just feels right for some reason.

[elk nailer]

If I hold any longer than one or two seconds I start to louse concentration.

[cahaba]

Originally posted by huntnmuleys:
Shoot well and feels more natural to snap shoot, but if necessary hold it back until a animal clears for a shot. I haven't found myself to be any more or less accurate doing either, but shooting faster just feels right for some reason.

X2

[stickbowmaniac]

2-5 seconds for me

[slowbowjoe]

I haven't counted but, a few seconds... maybe two to five or so.
I've been working on making this part of my form: I find I'm more accurate when I pause long enough to check my form each shot - alignment, finger pressure, back tension, push pull, etc. Then, there's often a moment when my sighting/focus becomes kind of lucid, and that's always a good shot.

[Plumber]

I think if you stand in front of a target an try different holding times you will find one that works for you.you dont have to let go before your ready hone in on the spot an hold your fourm dont drop your bow arm.dont try to see where your arrow hit it will throw your shot.just follow through.5-7 seconds my seem like a long time but it is not.

[BowHunterGA]

Depends on the situation. In the back yard and when shooting 3d 2-4 seconds is probably my norm. When hunting I have had to hold longer waiting for the right shot. I am not a snap shooter, I have tried it and just do not like it. The exception being if I am shooting a selfbow I will try not to hold at full draw for more than a second.

[YORNOC]

I like to draw when an animal cant see me. This doesnt always occur, but its my preference.
So I practice holding as long as I can offseason and at the target butt, often not even releasing an arrow.I like to do this at a different time than actual shooting. Its my strength/form builder, not my shooting practice. Just in case the deer stops or is slow showing itself, which happens often. The deer are skittish around here and will pick you off drawing a bow very easily.
During hunting, I have no idea how long, as said here already as long as it takes. Sometimes a second or two, sometimes seems like an eternity.
But I at least have the ability to hold if I need to. Your strength will increase very quickly when you practice holding, not worrying about the shot itself.
When you start to shake, you have held too long to shoot accurately. Which is okay while practicing, but if you are drawn on an animal, you want to reconsider releasing an arrow at it at this point.

[beauleyse]

I practice holding at least 5 seconds when I shoot at foam. My goal is to hope that in the real world when everything is moving a lot faster I hold for at least 3 seconds...So far it has worked well...

[BigBucksnTrucks]

I'll only hold for a second, once I hit my anchor I let her rip. I have 2 anchor points,  but I've found that if I hold much longer then I'm second guessing my self and moving the bow all over.  I'm much more accurate and consistant when I hit anchor and release.

[buckeye_hunter]

I currently practice blind bale shooting 90% of the time and hold for 5 - 10 seconds before releasing. At least once while practicing I will hold and let back down without releasing to exercise even more mental control. When actually shooting at game, I only hold for a second or two.

[lt-m-grow]

I find I shoot my best holding a good long time...getting to multiple anchors, relaxing, stabilizing, and really focusing on a spot.  And that is easier said than done at times.

BTW, "a good long time" in reality is seconds.  It may feel long...but it isn't.  So holding will not get in the way or diminish your hunting.

And, as with all shooting - trad is no different - good shooting requires consistent form and form matters more than any other variable.

So whether you hold or not, try to find a method for consistent form.
 
Have fun and welcome.