Instinctive archery and stance... Let's talk !!

[The-Talon]

So I have been shooting instinctively for about 10 years now. I find when I start to get to about 20 yards the groupings start to open a bit. I have always stood very openly almost facing the target and I also grip my bow pretty firmly . I started trying out standing feet shoulder width apart and my body 90 degrees towards the target (the preached archery form) and i think I find it to be better as far as accuracy goes.

My problem is replicating this in the field when hunting, stumping or roving. How do you guys shoot and what's your preferred stance? Also what are your guys thoughts on gripping the bow? 1 finger? 2? A firm grip??

[Bamboozle]

I only worry about form from the waist up. What my feet are doing really doesn't matter much.

[starshooter]

That’s one for the Shooters Form board.
However , I too have been shooting instinctive for many years. My groups were
never very good. So I had tobtime out and relearn fundamentalof good form and BACK tension. This was new to me and yes- I ask the same question -how on earth
Can anybody possibly shoot waist up when your crouched in a semi crawl without alerting the deer that he need to stay still and smile “cheese”? I know it can be done but I have yet to face that challenge. Thanks

[Pat B]

Have you ever watched Terry Green's video he put out years ago of him shooting from all sorts of positions. I think Terry shoots instinctively(not sure).
 I've shot instinctively since before I went to trad. Even in my last year with a mechanical "bow" I set it up for shooting off the shelf, changed cams for wheels to make the draw smoother and removed the sights. At that point I wondered why I was carrying that hunk of cold heavy metal and decided to get a recurve.  I shoot with a very loose form but I try to keep my draw, anchor and release consistent. When I was shooting every day my accuracy was good out to about 30 yards, even though I generally didn't consider taking a 30 yard shot at an animal. Heck, where I hunted I rarely had the opportunity to take a 30 yard shot. More like 12 to 15 yards.
 While you are learning to shoot instinctively every aspect of your stance and your draw is important. Once you have the basics down your upper body should stay consistent like MYoung suggests.

[The-Talon]

I don't think I've seen it! Would love to though !

[McDave]

I only worry about form from the waist up. What my feet are doing really doesn't matter much.

+1.  If you stand so that your feet are perpendicular to the target without moving your upper body, your shoulders should be in good alignment with the target.  This is the typical target stance, and is a fine way to shoot.  But as you say, it’s not always easy or possible when in the field.  So as MYoung says, put your feet wherever you can, and replicate the target stance from the waist up, by twisting your body at the waist until your shoulders are perpendicular to the target.

I grip the bow lightly with my thumb and forefinger, with the other fingers just touching the back of the handle.  The weight of the bow is against the part of my hand between my lifeline and the base of my thumb, so my knuckles are at about a 45* angle with the bow handle.  There are a hundred different ways to grip the bow, but general agreement among recurve shooters, if not longbow shooters, that you will shoot best with a light grip.

[Terry Lightle]

I guess I am one of the rare ones,I choke the grip so that I cannot tighten my grip when I release the arrow and cause it to shoot left.I shoot longbows and am a hunter foremost.Shoot a few 3d targets but could care less if I never shoot another one.I shoot open stance,never seen a bobcat sneak up on a rabbit walking sideways,feel I get better depth perception with the open stance.Bottom line is do what works best for you.
Terry

[goingoldskool]

I have found that if I keep a light, 1 or 2 finger grip (other fingers curled into palm), I can tell quickly if I have any string torque... if I do, my bow will rotate away or towards my cant. ...  I like a light grip and stance is not an issue.

Good luck, shoot straight and God bless,
Rodd

[Red Beastmaster]

I just came in from a two hour shooting session that included my hog target, stuffed bag course in the woods, and lots of stumps. I never thought about my feet one time. It's a non issue. Just stand there and shoot.

Why is a desired stance hard to replicate in the woods or hunting situation?

I grip with light to medium pressure, three finger tips on the back. Strong grips just induce torque.

[LBR]

The video "Masters of the Barebow, Volume III".  Rod Jenkins is one of the main players and he's an accomplished hunter and tournament archer.  Regardless if the target is fur or foam, the goal is to hit the spot.  The target doesn't determine what's a good shot and what isn't, you do.  Col. Jimmy Blackmon is a heck of a shot, hunter, and has made his mark in tournaments...he's trained under Rod.  Few people on earth have hunted and taken as many different animals in as many different places and terrain as Denny Sturgis Jr., and he's talked about how much his accuracy improved after Rod worked with him.  Consistency is the key.  To be consistently accurate you must have a consistent shot.  Good form is about making it easier to make the exact same shot every time.

[hvyhitter]

I grip my bows pretty firmly. It works for me. It helps me be consistant from shot to shot. Doesn't matter what my feet are doing if you shoot from the waist up. Pay attention to the days when you are "on" and try to repeat that form every time. Not everyone will shoot the same way. The key is to make sure "you" are shooting  the same way...….ymmv

[Mark R]

I here alot about good form but I like to think  good alignment, good alignment  good form.

[skeaterbait]

My form is still a work in progress but so far the two biggest factors for me have been making sure I am getting good back tension (which for me means getting full draw) and I do better if I shift my weight just slightly forward on my leading foot.

[dirtguy]

I practice by going up s tree in my yard with my climber and shooting at many different angles.  While my feet may move little, the upper body always gets into position relative to the target.

[Terry Green]

Form is from the waist up. Proper form doesn't care about the stance.  And thank God..... cuz if I had to stand a certain way, I would have never killed 80% of the animals I have.

Also this thread should be on the Shooters forum. So I'll move it...

[Pat B]

Terry, do you still have the video of you shooting from all different positions that you posted years ago? If so, will you post it? I think it shows what can be done from many positions.

[hitman]

I shoot about as natural as I can. In other words when I go for the shot just do what feels comfortable whatever position you are in. Works for me.

[Terry Green]

Yes I do... let me see what I can find... also have several demonstrations in my shooting segment on The Bowhunters of Tradgang DVD.

[Terry Green]

Good form is about making it easier to make the exact same shot every time.

Yep...from a myriad of positions!!!!

[Terry Green]

I here alot about good form but I like to think  good alignment, good alignment  good form.

Yep...Proper Alignment i.e. my term 'The Magic T'....

There is a ton of information on the Shooters Forum about Proper Alignment and the Magic T..... and there is an overview thread at the top featured that has a lot of that information. Sort of a quick cliff notes on the subject.