Anchor finger - index or middle?

[Sam McMichael]

I use the middle finger.

[Jakeemt]

OP the author of that book iAnthony Camera is an old school sighted archer. I think he made the Olympic hopefuls a few times but, I am not sure if he ever made the team. Regardless the index finger anchor is what he has been shooting for man many years most often with sights but, I have no doubt he is damn good without them! Use the anchor point the works best with your style and aiming system whatever that may be. I have a sighted bow and I too like a nice low anchor but, gap shooting a bare bow I like a high anchor. Don’t worry too much about how you want to anchor and worry most about a solid repeatable anchor with good form behind it.

[Stumpkiller]

Originally posted by Woodpuppy:
Anybody use their ring finger?

To draw with, yes.  Along with the middle and index.  I tried lopping 3/4" off with a tractor but that didn't help and I had to shoot lefty for a year until it "grew back".  

But I must say switch-bowing is a wake-up call for form.  I had to start from scratch.

Glad it took and is back in the game.  I still have to "remember" my elbow height at anchor as that low finger is semi-numb and I have a high-arrow fault if I get sloppy.

[BijanO]

Thanks gents. The switch from RH to LH but no go on fingers made me chuckle.

[Bill from NJ]

Middle finger in corner of my mouth.

Only because it is longer and touches my mouth better.

[Rough Run]

Index finger.  Just felt natural, more comfortable for me.

[Jayrod]

Middle finger corner of mouth for me also

[KyStickbow]

Middle finger for me.

[LongbowArchitect]

Index finger at back of eye tooth and thumb knuckle under jaw bone for me.

[moebow]

I've suggested this many times but most don't get it.  Your anchor point (hand on the face) is a result of the draw, NOT a target for or of the draw.  Draw to bone on bone alignment THEN where your hand ends up is where your hand ends up.  Many try to define a place for the hand on the face THEN draw to that point.  That does NOT give you a consistent form or body position.  IMO, you must draw until the bow weight is taken up by the bones in your arms and shoulders THEN your hand comes to the face and you can then determine locations of the string hand.  Like finger in the corner of the mouth, on  a tooth, on the jaw, etc.

The hand position is a RESULT of the draw, NOT a target of the draw!!

Arne

[YosemiteSam]

I only shoot instinctive sometimes.  But I use the middle for gap & instinctive.  That is, until distances exceed 25 yards, then I anchor to the index finger.  It's a larger gap but it extends the flat part of the trajectory out about 10 yards (same MPBR from 20-35 yards).

For me, a lower anchor point is the same as a higher-mounted scope on a rifle.  It can all work.  But under field conditions, mounting a scope lower to the bore axis gives fewer variations -- especially at close range.  Same with a high anchor (middle finger index).

I've tried a ring finger index but can't seem to find it.  Instead, if I'm doing something like that, I'll anchor on my cheek bone with my index finger right next to my nostril.  If I'm shooting a brand new setup or at very close range (<10 yards), it's my go-to anchor point.

[stagetek]

Middle. Easier to feel the corner of my mouth, and the arrow is closer to me eye's.

[ChasingWhitetails]

Index finger for me as well. It just seems to go there on its own. I tried a dozen times or so with the middle but seems awkward.

[WVbowhunter]

I gap, stringwalk and shoot instinctive depending on the bow and application (stringwalking is strictly for competition instinctive for wingshooting or quick hunting shots) but with all of them I anchor three-under with my index finger at the corner of my mouth and the knuckle at the base of my thumb behind my ear. The point on difference for me is usually about eleven yards.

[the rifleman]

Arne's advice is spot on and worked for me.  I know when I'm falling into bad habits as my left and rights increase.  I use the rotational draw and once I am in line, as he said there is a noticeable drop in perceived weight of the bow string.  I know when I am at "anchor", not from hand placement on my face, but from feedback in my muscles---if I do it the other way I am all over the place and begin shaking and collapsing.
That being said I did discover that I could not achieve this with a high hand placement on my face, as much as I wanted to shrink gaps.  I shot with middle finger level with mouth for a while, but the other day I noticed that if i drew back into my back tension and just let the hand lay where it is comfortable I am nearer my index finger to my mouth with the thumb c pocket under my jaw.  The solidness of this lower anchor trumps any aiming advantages I was getting from a higher anchor.  As Arne has said, form is imperative and aiming can then be worked out within that.