Always left???

[nlester]

I just received a Yellowstone longbow in on trade.  It's a dandy bow and shoots bullets.  It may be a little heavier than what I'd like, but I can shoot it.  However, I point right at the target and it consistently shoots left.  I know dropping my arm can cause this, but I'm forcing myself to keep it up and and follow through and the arrows still go left.  The arrows are coming out smooth and flat with good spin, they just go straight left.  Could someone give me some advice??  I thought that maybe the strike plate may push arrow off-center a little.  It doesn't appear to look too bad with an arrow nocked.  I'm kind of at a lose and would love some assistance.  Thanks

[LongStick64]

The fact that the bow is heavier than what you are used to, you might not be at full alignment, you might be short drawing even though you might be at anchor, your back extension might not be where it should be.
Had this problem myself recently.

[nlester]

So, you're saying I need to make sure I'm at full draw?

[rmcpb]

Copared to my centre cut recurve my horsebow shoots left as it shoots around the handle and needs softer arrows. Is your bow centre cut?

[nlester]

It appears that it is, but with the strike plate on the side, it pushes slightly left.

[LongStick64]

Check yourself in a mirror and look to see if your drawing elbow is inline with the arrow. Better yet have someone else watch you from behind and side to see if you are either not at full draw, full alignment or you might be creeping before you shoot.

[nlester]

OK.  I'll try that.  Thanks!

[nlester]

Here's what was going on.  It was my strike plate all along...it was pushing my arrow left.  I cut it off last night and she shot fine.  I'll just need to put a thinner piece on that won't disrupt my flight.  I feel much better now.  

[McDave]

If your problem was the strike plate, sometimes what you need to do is not what seems obvious.  If what you tried doesn't work as well as you would like, you might try using a soft strike plate, such as a Martin rug rest.  The soft strike plate sticks out a little further than your old strike plate, but the soft material causes the arrow to impact more to the right.

[8leg-lover]

Thanks guys for answering this question. I just got a new bow today and was having the same issue. My first thought was also the strike plate. So when you say try softer arrows I assume you mean spined weaker?

Thanks.

[Rob DiStefano]

i'd look first at what longstick64 sez - alignment is critical and if yer even a smidge overbowed, the ever so slight struggle at full draw will change yer alignment and arrows will always go left.  push/pull at full draw and get yer eye over the arrow.  problem fixed.  well, except for the over bowing thingy.