Trad slang???????

[BGF123]

Hi all,

I was reading on another post and they mentioned 'gap' versus 'instinctive' shooting.  Can someone explain the diff to a new guy like me.  I have a long bow hybrid coming and want to shoot without sights.

Thanks in advance,
Bernie

[Benny Nganabbarru]

Bernie, gap shooting is where you use the tip of the arrow as a reference: At a certain range, you can place the tip on the target, and the arrow will hit the target; closer, you must hold the tip under the target; further, you must hold the tip over the target. Instinctive shooting is where you focus only on the target, no matter what range, and release, the idea being that it can, with practice, become just like throwing a ball.

[BGF123]

Ben,

Thanks.....got it.

Is one better then the other to start with?

[lpcjon2]

Ben,
  You hit it right on the head,cant get any simpler of an explanation.

[mcgroundstalker]

Bernie,

Before you choose a shooting style you need to learn how to shoot your new longbow. What I mean is the use of correct form and follow through. I like "instinctive" shooting and bright color feathers. This helps my brain remember the arrows arch and will in turn set my bow arm in the right place for an accurate shot.

Welcome To The Ride Of Your Life!

... mike ...    ...

[beetlebailey1977]

Originally posted by mcgroundstalker:
Bernie,

I like "instinctive" shooting and bright color feathers. This helps my brain remember the arrows arch and will in turn set my bow arm in the right place for an accurate shot.


... mike ...     ...

I agree.  You have to be able to see the arrow.

[Benny Nganabbarru]

You could try either. You could also try what I call laser beam shooting, in which you imagine a red laser beam going out of your arrow into the target. Whichever you try, don't feel ashamed about keeping your shooting really, really close for quite some time as you program your brain and muscles.

[BGF123]

You guys,

Thanks for all the tips.  I will have to try out my new bow with regards to the type of shooting.  I am leaning towards 'instinctive'.

For your info, I am a wheelchair shooter with no trunk muscles.  I use a web belt harness to keep me in the chair while I draw.  I used to shoot competition 15 yrs ago with a target Hoyt.  I want to get back into archery but want it pure like when I was 15 yrs of age.  I have been doing a lot of research and have narrowed my desires/abilities down.  Target is all I will be doing now.  I have hunted deer when I was younger from a chair, but age is a major factor now.  Life is all good.

Bernie

[Bowwild]

Archery is terrific medicine for many of us.   Have fun and enjoy the shot.

[Ben Maher]

Bernie there is no right or wrong when aiming as long as we get the arrow where we want it to be . You'll find a few of us use different aiming for different reasons shots. Within my hunting ranges I am "instinctive" and try to purely zone in the spot I want to hit...further than that I "gap" as I can't see anything that far away to really focus on .

[Boom Stick]

Using bright feathers is a great idea.  I've been using darker ones thinking the bright ones were just easier to find when you miss.  Never thought about them helping with instinctive shooting.

[Terry Green]

Bright feathers are not only good for practice..but hunting also....they help tell you shot location...and bright wraps or caps can tell you the amount of penetration.  He's a few of my special kill arrows....notice they ALL have bright fletch.

     

Along with what was said above....

Instinctive is subconscious aiming.

Gap is conscious aiming.

[BGF123]

Wow Terry,

Bright is good....I understand the premise.

Thanks to all that have given advice.

Bernie

[Boom Stick]

That's a fine collection there Terry.  Good points about bright feathers for hunting too.  It seems like there's nothing but positives about them.  The only bad thing is me having to buy new feathers and strip the old ones.  What was I thinking with brown and green!?