shooting with a beard

[dougedwards]

Just beginning to shoot traditional bows and anchor just under the corner of my jaw.

The string brushes my nose but also wants to take some whiskers with it also.

Am I possibly doing something incorrectly or is there a remedy for this irritating occurence each time I release?

 Doug

[Centex]

Split finger or 3 under?  I have healthy beard and no issue but do get the tip of nose occasionally.

[DawgDoc]

Just a thought - don't know if you cant your bow but when I'm bareshafting and holding my bow vertically with no cant sometimes I brush my beard a little. When I get through bareshafting and go back to normal shooting style with a canted bow I don't have that problem. So, you might try canting your bow a little more?

[dougedwards]

All under, but ring finger is the first to release I think. I actually have a rather short beard.

Just getting accustomed to sound of the slap on the arm and the feel of the string brushing my nose.

I just need to keep practicing but don't want to flinch while I am doing it.

 Doug

[dougedwards]

Also, in attempt to keep a consistent posture I stand straight up and spread my shoulders far apart and do not cant the bow at all.  

That might be a good suggestion.  I will try it.

 Doug

[stykbow67]

I shoot split finger, middle finger anchored at corner of mouth and a slightly canted bow and have no hair removal problems!    

Steve

[Shane C]

For the arm slap try putting a little more bend in your arm that's holding the bow. I just shaved because it irritates my face when I draw to my anchor. Plus my wife hates it.  :p

[Red Beastmaster]

One time after an especially painful release I noticed a whisker with a chunk of meat on the end that was sticking in my brass nock! I think I even saw a wisp of steam coming off it, could of been tears, but I like to think it was steam.

I always had beard/moustache wear from shooting a tab. Not so much since I switched to a glove.

It's a rite of passage, wear it like a badge and be proud you shoot a stickbow!

[Shane C]

Originally posted by Red Beastmaster:
One time after an especially painful release I noticed a whisker with a chunk of meat on the end that was sticking in my brass nock! I think I even saw a wisp of steam coming off it, could of been tears, but I like to think it was steam.

I always had beard/moustache wear from shooting a tab. Not so much since I switched to a glove.

It's a rite of passage, wear it like a badge and be proud you shoot a stickbow!

lol!!! (That or just use tie-on nock points...)

[dougedwards]

Originally posted by Red Beastmaster:
One time after an especially painful release I noticed a whisker with a chunk of meat on the end that was sticking in my brass nock! I think I even saw a wisp of steam coming off it, could of been tears, but I like to think it was steam.

I always had beard/moustache wear from shooting a tab. Not so much since I switched to a glove.

It's a rite of passage, wear it like a badge and be proud you shoot a stickbow!

OK OK  but what about flinching??   :confused:

[SheltonCreeker]

Ive got a full beard. I haven't had much issue. Shoot three under index finger at the corner of my mouth for anchor. I do cant a little. I keep my mustache trimmed. It has got in the way in the past.

[Pete McMiller]

Doug,

I shoot with a partially trimmed beard/stach and don't have any issues.  I did have issues with my nose getting bloody when I first got back to traditional a few years ago but not any more.  The issue with me is of course form with the main thing being a slight overdrawing of the bow.  Once I backed off about a half an inch I stopped snapping my nose and my accuracy improved substantially.

[dougedwards]

Originally posted by Pete McMiller:
Doug,

I shoot with a partially trimmed beard/stach and don't have any issues.  I did have issues with my nose getting bloody when I first got back to traditional a few years ago but not any more.  The issue with me is of course form with the main thing being a slight overdrawing of the bow.  Once I backed off about a half an inch I stopped snapping my nose and my accuracy improved substantially.

Pete....currently I am only pulling 30 lbs and I thought about the possibility of over drawing the bow because I can.  This afternoon I practiced only bringing the string to my nose (62" recurve) and I had no further incidences with nose slap or catching my beard.  Now I have to learn to shoot with a slightly shorter draw but I am just getting started so no biggie really.

 Thanks for all of the help!

 Doug

[VictoryHunter]

I have a full beard and anchor to the point where my ear meets the top of my jaw and have never had a problem with the bow string. I think it may just be a form issue especially if you aren't getting your elbow high enough and in line.

[xtrema312]

Sounds like maybe an overdraw issue and scuffing your face a lot more than you should.  Could also be a nock catching hair.  I don't have a full beard, but my anchor and string definitely land on it.  I anchor tumb in jaw so I get back on my face some.  I know the string can brush it and my mustache as I hit my nose from time to time. I shot 3 under right now but also have shot split a lot.  I keep the face hair cut to about 1 1/2" max most of the time now and don't ever recall once pulling a hair.

[Real Buckmaster]

yea shave

[SELFBOW19953]

I sometimes have problems with the bowstring throwing my beard up into my left eye!!
   

[Red Beastmaster]

I had a buddy who launched his pipe down range upon release. Nearly took half his teeth with it!

dougedwards, I don't believe I ever flinched but I've double clutched a lot. It usually happens when I try to think about some part of the shot. Just the other day I was thinking about all this "deep hook" stuff and let a pretty nasty one fly. I have to shoot without thinking or bad things happen. The arrow wants to fly to the mark, I just have to let it.

I would suggest shooting split and and anchoring with the middle finger on a molar behind the corner of the mouth. "You never have to cut it 'cause stops by itself".  Don't worry about the beard worry about a hole in your cheek from too much shooting. I hate when the string snags a nose hair or an eyebrow hair.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Originally posted by dougedwards:
 

Originally posted by Pete McMiller:
Doug,

I shoot with a partially trimmed beard/stach and don't have any issues.  I did have issues with my nose getting bloody when I first got back to traditional a few years ago but not any more.  The issue with me is of course form with the main thing being a slight overdrawing of the bow.  Once I backed off about a half an inch I stopped snapping my nose and my accuracy improved substantially.

Pete....currently I am only pulling 30 lbs and I thought about the possibility of over drawing the bow because I can.  This afternoon I practiced only bringing the string to my nose (62" recurve) and I had no further incidences with nose slap or catching my beard.  Now I have to learn to shoot with a slightly shorter draw but I am just getting started so no biggie really.

 Thanks for all of the help!

 Doug [/b]

I don't think I'd recommend short drawing to your nose.... I used the tip of my nose for a partial anchor point for years to get around a cross eye dominance factor, but it cost me dearly in consistant accuracy.... When you short draw the bow, you are not getting your alignment correct, and it effects your ability to get good even back tension.... you'll find yourself creeping more

Everyone has a slightly different anchor point, but it needs to be determined at a point where your shoulder alignment is good.

Stand with your feet at shoulder width and your shoulders back with good posture. then hold both arms out at shoulder level in a straight line, and look down your bow arm...Then bend your string arm to your face without moving your shoulders or head at all. That..... is where your anchor point should be..... where exactly your anchor point hits on your face is going to be determined by the length of your fore arm....

after getting some proper instruction and my alignment corrected. My draw length grew 1.5". My consistency and accuracy jumped way up too.

shooting a bow with a bushy beard or a long mustache has its bad moments, and will definitely bring tears to your eyes on occasion..... trim the whiskers and you'll quit flinching.