Cant Never Could

[Terry Green]

Cause Cant wasn't a bowhunter.....

I see questions arise about 'where' to cant, 'how much to cant', 'can you cant the same way twice'?  Target archers need to drive tacks and execute the same exact shot over and over....BUT!  Bowhunters, especially those that spend a lot of time on the ground need to be a bit more versatile IMO. They should be able to manufacture and deliver shots from the terrain and environment Mother nature throws at them. I hope to show that you can cant the bow how ever you want to, and that it doesn't have to be the same angle every time.  

Every person needs their 'back yard' shot', and need to be able to shoot how they feel comfortable, either vertical or canted.  Yes, it is easy for most to cant the same angle every time.  Once you get your back yard shot down, you can then add variations to your shot to capitalize on opportunities that arise in the field, as we most times have a small window of opportunity. All it takes is devotion and determination.

Also, contrary to what you may 'hear' or some folks claim....canting at different angles WILL NOT shorten your draw length if you are properly aligned.  I demonstrate this in The Bowhunters of Trad Gang DVD along with proper alignment.  Proper alignment makes for a stable shooting platform from many shooting positions.

Bowhunter's have also been accused of 'dumbing down' the sport of archery by non-hunting target archers.....but I say with a little effort and imagination, we can jazz it up pretty good.

These are extreme deviations of my normal shot....Its a bear target, but I'm practicing my low and tight hog shot.  The black shafts got lost in the internet conversion....but the target impacts are 2 inches higher than the fletches due to the camera angle.

Dial up.....
   Extreme Cant Angles I  
 
   Extreme Cant Angles II  
 
   Extreme Cant Angles III

 
Broadband.....
   Extreme Cant Angles

  Over the Pond......

[Goose]

OK, that's pretty cool.  I haven't been reading the posts about the cant, but I would guess it is more an issue of arrow location than bow position.  But what do I know, just a guess.
Good job!
Goose

[Al Dean]

For those of you watching terry's cant video, don't stop with the canting.  Watch his draw arm and hand.  Look at the follow through.  Look at the smoothness of draw.  look at the steadiness of his bow hand.  There is a lot to be learned on this video.  By the way, try the extreme canting for fun.  You may be surprised at how well you do with it.

[TSP]

Good point, Terry, there IS much to be learned/considered in the shooting methods.  Howard Hill once told his students to make up their minds what they wanted to do, hunt or target shoot, because the two approaches don't mix well.  I tend to agree with that logic.  I don't think he meant it as a slam on either style and I certainly don't.  In HH's case its simply the perspective of a respected individual very experienced and accomplished in BOTH arenas.  There's much to be said, and learned, from that idea.  

One MIGHT even consider the hunting style (canting, instinctive, simple gear, absence of accessories, etc.) as the 'traditional' style since it started with the first bow and the first bowhunter, and the target style as something more specialized that evolved in pursuit of more accuracy with the bow and arrow.  Nothing WRONG with either approach, they are just DIFFERENT approaches.  

Sometimes we confuse/meld the two styles and end up fighting over the differences.

[jerrod]

That bow really spits the arrows, I am new to traditional archery and this site, so I might sound starstruck but that was the coolest thing I have seen while on this sight.  I am still saving to get a decent bow,  but after watching that I might be going to get a second job.  Awesome website Terry!

[Focusource]

Terry, I would very much like to see you have a feature segment in Masters of the Barebow Volume 3.  The over the pond footage at the end of volumes 1 and 2 just isn't enough.  Perhaps Darryl could give you about ten minutes for show and tell.

[Terry Green]

Guys, aint nothing you can't do if you put your mind to it.

I did a bit of shooting and alignment talk in The Bowhunters of Trad Gang DVD ...if you'd like one, here's the link.........

   Paypal link........

   Mail order link......

[Focusource]

Thanks TG.  Will send the order form in the morning.

[Terry Green]

Up for the canting info.....

[Dozer]

Terry whats your setup in those video's. Bow weight, arrow weight, and whats that glove your wearing? I've gone through three gloves and two tabs and still haven't found one I like. I want a glove thats not to thick, will last a while, and most importantly WON'T CREASE!
Great shooting by the way. Really smooth release.

[Terry Green]

Dozer....that's a 60" 60# Thunderstick MOAB, Arrow Dynamics Trad Heavies with 175 grain heads making them about 580 grains.  And I use an American Leathers Big Shot glove that has slick nylon outer pads to prevent creasing.

[Terry Green]

Since someone brought up a thread about canting from 2007....I brought this one up from 2006.  Hope this helps some of the confusion on canting.

   

[GMMAT]

Terry:

I suppose my vertical orientation (bow) is a product of my hunting.  I don't hunt much from the ground (I would like to, though).  Shooting targets.....I rarely "have" to cant (even in tough man contests).  I usually find a way to shoot the shot the way that's most comfortable "to me".

I shot all 5 deer, this season, standing in a treestand (never shot any of my 26 from a sitting position).  I have a ladder stand and a platform in my back yard, and I shoot with a cant from time to time.  I honestly just don't do it much....because it's not required (for how I've hunted.....SO FAR).

I'm gonna play with it, though.  I suppose it can't hurt....and will probably allow me a shot op. in the future (maybe this fall, in CO).

Good vids.

[Terry Green]

Jeff....I've said it many times...you do not have to cant....but there will be times that if you can, you will capitalize if your hunting style deems so.

  If all you do is hunt from a tree stand or an blind from a fixed position repaired for your shot, you may not ever need to.  But I can't tell you how many times I've had to cant 'outside the box' to make a shot...and yes, I've even shot animals vertical.


 

Originally posted by Terry Green:
Proper alignment(form) can be carried to various cants and positions.  Alignment and Form is from the waste up, and not hard to repeat once you achieve it, and easy to take to different positions that we get into in the field by using your waste and feet to acquire the position with the upper body still in line.

Yes, you need to achieve it(form/alignment) 1st in a comfortable position/cant angle that suits you(your back yard shot).....even if that means no cant/held vertical

[Terry Green]

Jeff....here's where I actually answered you back in 2007 on this very subject....

 

Originally posted by Terry Green:
GMMAT,

You should have a 'backyard shot'...that keeps everything the same...even your cant.  There is no 'set angle'....and it is easy to do if you will quit 'thinking about it' and just draw the bow and cant what comes natural. It will come to you without you having to find it.

Once you get your backyard shot down pat, and your accuracy is up to snuff beyond the range you plan you  shooting game at, you can then practice sever cant, horizontal cant, straight up, and reverse cant.  

The absolute beauty of the Trad Bow is you can control it, and not let it control you.  It does not have to be held at a certain angle to make a shot....but it sure is best to have your backyard go to shot set in stone 1st.

BTW...if you will do a search for the word 'cant' in the subject for this forum...you will get all the info you need on canting.

[Terry Green]

Originally posted by Terry Green:
Canting should not change Point of Impact...the arrow should go where your looking no matter if its a recurve or longbow. In other words, you shouldn't have to cant your bow a certain degree just to hit your spot.

[Terry Green]

Originally posted by Terry Green:
I agree....you don't have to cant the bow.

However, the advantage for me is seeing a larger/wider view of the playing field.
 

[Terry Green]

Originally posted by Terry Green:
IMO, canting has nothing to do with whether a bow is center shot or not......canting is just a position the bow is held in if that's your style or if the shot dictates.....its not a matter of center shot.

[Terry Green]

Originally posted by Terry Green:
Your 'got to' shot is up to YOU...cant how ever much you feel you need to.  

However, once you get that 'go to' shot down, you can practice various cant angles to execute the variations the game and terrain dictate.  

There is no 'written in stone' when it comes to shooting a bow except that you get out of it as much as you put into it.

No, its not the highest handicaps give the most advice....just beware of my way is the highway guys.

[Terry Green]

Originally posted by Terry Green:
Canting the bow has never had an effect on spine for me.....and I've canted from one extreme to the other, and never seen 'bad arrow flight'.