split finger gap

[nhbuck1]

cn you gap shoot using split finger? everything i heard said you had to use 3 under, i would be intrested to see where everyone anchors for this and how they go about it

[reddogge]

I shoot split and anchor middle finger corner of mouth. My gaps are visualized at the riser and with arrows 3" longer than my draw are approx. 3/4" at 15 yards, 1" @ 20 yards, 3/4" at 25 yards, 1/4" at 30 yards, point on at 35 yards.

[crazynate]

Shooting 3 under puts the arrow closer to your eye so it's better to see the point when using it to aim. Never heard anyone say you can't do it split finger but I wouldn't suggest it. I shoot split and tried gap but it felt weird. If I'm going to aim with the arrow I might as well put a sight on. To me instinctive is more comfortable. Just my opinion. Shoot both ways and see what is comfortable for you. One thing I've learned is you can't have someone tell you how to shoot. You have yo develop a system that works for you and run with it. Again This is just my thought. If you ask questions on here you'll get dozens of different answers and then you'll be all confused mentally.

[ChuckC]

Pretty certain field archers of old anchored under their chin using split fingers.  Just depends on your need.  Pretty much, the closer the arrow is to the aiming eye, the closer the point on and the smaller the gaps.

I secondary aim on anything over 25 yards and even under that i take a visual snap shot with indirect vision of the arrow/index finger at the crest of the draw which is about 6" from anchor.  I anchor middle finger just past the corner of my mouth.  My point on is long because my arrows are net or bop to my finger.   Anyone has the ability to generally see the angle, attitude and alignment of the arrow.  The arrow does not always line up directly under the eye for everyone, but that indirect sighting can still be done.  Like when I practice laying on my back, the arrow is of course not in an alignment, but with practice the relative position and using it will still get the arrow on target, perhaps not always the first arrow, but the the third on will be, a visual memory of the correct one will get the aiming pattern logged in.

[Longtoke]

I used to shoot split finger and use the tip of my arrow to make the "gap" idk I thought of it more as the end of a gun barrel with no back sight...

[newhouse114]

I shoot 3 under until I get to around 40 yards, then switch to split.

[KeganM]

I started gapping before I switched to three under. It worked, but was a lot harder because my arrows were cut to my draw (one inch longer) and they were pretty fast. PO was never under 60 yards which stunk for hunting. Knowing what I know now, a longer, heavier arrow and a higher anchor would have made things a little easier.

I'm working on a higher anchor with three under now. Anchoring up on my cheekbone, the gap's around 6" from ten to 25, with a 30 yard PO and a pretty flat shooting arrow. Best set up I've tried yet so hopefully by next 3D season it will be automatic!

[YosemiteSam]

You could certainly gap shoot with split finger but, the bigger question is, why would you?  Your gap would be measured in feet instead of inches.  This would be easily 3' if not 4' or more.  So unless this is strictly a target rig, you're at a certain disadvantage against 3-under gaps.  You may also require a different nock set for split vs 3-under so going back and forth, at least for hunting, would be more difficult as well.

Ideally, for gap shooting, you want to always have the point of your arrow somewhere on or very close to your target.  If you're aiming a few feet in front of your target, especially at unmarked yardage with hills, obstructions, ravines, etc., you're setting yourself up for more of a challenge than you need.

[YosemiteSam]

Originally posted by YosemiteSam:
You could certainly gap shoot with split finger but, the bigger question is, why would you?  Your gap would be measured in feet instead of inches.  This would be easily 3' if not 4' or more.  So unless this is strictly a target rig, you're at a certain disadvantage against 3-under gaps.  You may also require a different nock set for split vs 3-under so going back and forth, at least for hunting, would be more difficult as well.

Ideally, for gap shooting, you want to always have the point of your arrow somewhere on or very close to your target.  If you're aiming a few feet in front of your target, especially at unmarked yardage with hills, obstructions, ravines, etc., you're setting yourself up for more of a challenge than you need.

Now, if you're dead set on split finger, try face walking up a little higher.  Anchor mid finger in the corner of your mouth.  Try a high cheek anchor, etc.  But you're essentially just recreating the wheel.

Matthew, there any number of ways to to aim and shoot, but I think that changing things like you suggest my be adding too many ingredients in the stew.   We have the ability to see things with more acuity than we give ourselves credit.  If you see someone a ways off pointing at something, You can tell by the angles almost instantly what he is pointing at.   Walt Wilhelm comes to mind.  Some would put guys like the Wilhelm brothers, Hill, Byron and Schulz into super human god like status, in reality they were just men with a passion.  We all can see the angle, elevation and take a good guess at the trajectory of an arrow.  The important thing to to do things the same so that the data can develop so accuracy can be repeated.    

[FlintNSteel]

Absolutely you can gap with split fingers.  Have done it successfully for many years.

If you are going to do it, I would recommend getting as high an anchor point as is comfortable for you AND can be consistently attained.

I personally have never felt comfortable with three fingers under.  I just don't like it.  I do agree with others that it's certainly easier to get the gap down by getting the arrow closer to your eye with three fingers under, but it's also very possible to get it close and minimize gap with split finger.  

One anchor you can try is ring finger in corner of the mouth, which puts your index finger up on your cheekbone.  I have used that as well as middle finger in the corner of the mouth.  The gap difference between the two is pretty substantial.

As stated before, the key is to find something that works for you that you are comfortable with AND provides the consistency you need.  Then it's just practice, practice, practice.  

Experiment, have fun, and good luck.

It also helps to shoot bows, or better one bow, that have the same cast and same visual.   i have decided to give all my longbows over 55 pounds away.  I just don't use them anymore, but shooting too many bows right handed inflames an old injury to my release hand, and they have a longer point on than the other bows.

[forestdweller]

Plenty of people shoot split finger GAP. I don't see what the issue is with that. Hill and Byron shoot split vision which is a form of instinctive GAP shooting.

You could shoot 3 under but you give up arrow control and your trajectory will not be as flat as shooting with split finger.