Anchor to your ear?

[alex321]

I have a very short draw 25" AMO and was thinkig of changing my draw to just below my earlobe.  This is the same hight relative to my eye as drawing to the side of my mouth. I would then draw 28".  I have tried it briefly, but found that the string touched my chest.  Apart from that it was comfortable to do.

Does anyoe do this and if so is it consistant enough for repeatable accuracy?

I shoot a low draw eight too, so it would really help with arrow speed.
Cheers
ALex

[Bowwild]

I would be terribly over-drawn if I did that.

[Troy D. Breeding]

Don't forget the need for a good needle and some thread. Buttons are going to fly.  

[Pat B]

How well do you shoot at 25". Changing any part of your draw can be a major undertaking. At least you haven't waited until mid August.

[fnshtr]

I anchor middle finger to the corner of my mouth AND my first thumb joint behind the jawbone (just below my earlobe).

It would be very difficult for me to anchor as you have described. It would mess up my sight picture considerably.

Good luck!

[Gordon Jabben]

That's the anchor I use.  I doubt if it's the best but I have at least average accuracy.  
 

[overbo]

I did just what you described in the past year and I'm shooting very well. As for the string touching your chest. You are leaning back at full draw to get that extra inch or so. If you lean into the shot at anchor. All the string problems go away. Just make sure when you lean forward you are constantly pinching your shoulder blades together through your release.

[McDave]

I've always found it important that the arrow shaft be under my dominant eye at full draw. I don't think that would be possible if I drew to my earlobe.

That said, when I read of the Welsh longbowmen of the Middle Ages, it says they drew to their earlobe.  Of course, their purpose was different from ours: they wanted to put a flight of arrows from many bowmen into a group of approaching horsemen at ranges from 100 - 200 yards out.  It wasn't so important that any one archer hit as it was that all archers were able to hit in the same general area, so some of them would find their mark. They were trained to use 100# plus longbows with a heavy arrow and bodkin point to pierce armor. I'm sure drawing back to their earlobes to gain a little extra momentum was a part of that plan.  Individual accuracy was not.  In fact, practice at ranges less than 100 yards was forbidden, as the king didn't want individual archers getting too good at poaching his deer.

[BOWMARKS]

I used to shoot with a guy that did that when he shot thru the chrony.    

[Jasper2]

I have tried it and my accuracy suffered but your results may be different.  

I'm a lefty and with the back of my arrow moved that far from the center of my eye, all my shots went wide right.  So, I scrapped the idea and just accepted my short draw.  With enough time, your brain would compensate I'm sure.

Your maximum draw length is determined by your body structure.  If you want more performance, my advice is to just work up to a heavier bow weight at your 25" draw length....but I'm by no means an expert.

[Harleywriter]

I draw to the back of my jaw: seems comfortable enough and doesn't bother any of my gear or clothing. Gets me right at 29 1/2 inches. I put the front joint of my drawing hand thumb up against my jaw.

[LB_hntr]

I shot a 25.5-26" draw as well. I dont think there is any reason to draw further. Just get the best performance out of your arrow as you can and you will be much further along and still have the anchor and accuracy you are used to.
 I promise a good arrow designed for penetration and tuned perfectly from a 25 inch draw will out perform an average arrow out of a 28inch draw.

I dont know your situation or anything but thought Id throw that info out there if it helps.
I have never found my shorter draw to be an issue or anythintg to be concerned about. In reality I like my shorter arrows.
 Im no scientist but i would also think shorter arrows penitrate better than longer arrows of the same weight. REason is the shorter shaft is stiffer and less flexing on impact robbing the arrow of energy when the longer arrows tail end is wagging around trying to straighen out from the impact.

[Hummer3T]

I draw my thumb nail to my lobe, like Gordon Jabben in his photo.  very consistent anchor for me.

[Todd Cook]

Originally posted by McDave:
[QB] I've always found it important that the arrow shaft be under my dominant eye at full draw. I don't think that would be possible if I drew to my earlobe.

For me, I've always needed to stay" behind the arrow" as I call it. If I draw to a point that I'm looking down the side of the arrow instead of down the top of it, My shooting falls to pieces.

[rolltidehunter]

I draw 26 inches on a good day. I anchor at the corner of my mouth with my middle finger.  I shoot split finger . I have killed  elk deer turkey squirrel fish rabbits etc and i shoot through most of the animals I kill.  Accuracy and a sharp BH is what counts.  

Focus on accuracy and tuning your arrows oh and have fun

[monkeyball]

I have a Sky recurve. It is an older take down. Lightweight Medalist limbs that are 66" and draw 28#@28" Those limbs are so smooth that I draw it over my ear and let it there. To release I just pull my ear lobe and the arrow is gone!!!!!!!      

       All kidding aside,I am a 3under shooter with the  middle finger deep in the corner of my mouth. That is far enough for me.

                                             Good Shooting,
                                                            Craig

[BOWMARKS]

Hey monkeyball

Hey I bet you would get a cleaner and smoother  release if you learned to wiggle your ears.      

[alex321]

Wow, lots of responses...

I am frustrated that for the same draw weight I get much less speed and energy than someone with a normal 28" draw length.  

I thought that if I can reach comfortably to the ear without feeling physically encumbered then I could take advantage of the extra 3 inches...This would make a real difference.

My main concern is making the anchor reliable and consistant...

Cheers
Alex

[Roger Norris]

Originally posted by alex321:
I have a very short draw 25" AMO and was thinkig of changing my draw to just below my earlobe.  This is the same hight relative to my eye as drawing to the side of my mouth. I would then draw 28".  I have tried it briefly, but found that the string touched my chest.  Apart from that it was comfortable to do.

Does anyoe do this and if so is it consistant enough for repeatable accuracy?

I shoot a low draw eight too, so it would really help with arrow speed.
Cheers
ALex

Are you doing this just so your draw will be 28"? I say don't. I believe with good form, you will locate your natural anchor point( you probably already have). Drawing to your earlobe will engage more wrist and arm muscles (as opposed to back muscles) and will also wreak havoc on your release....I think.

There is absolutely NOTHING wrong with a shorter than average draw length.

[Roger Norris]

Just read your last post about being frustrated about less speed, etc. Short answer....no you don't. That 3 inches will make zero difference on putting an arrow through an animal.