{"id":3939,"date":"2022-09-03T08:07:18","date_gmt":"2022-09-03T08:07:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/archerycare.com\/?p=3939"},"modified":"2023-02-12T13:30:34","modified_gmt":"2023-02-12T13:30:34","slug":"how-to-aim-a-compound-bow","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/archerycare.com\/how-to-aim-a-compound-bow\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Aim A Compound Bow With Sight and Without Sight"},"content":{"rendered":"

After doing some basic training, every archer wants to step up compound bows<\/a>. Some even start with it straight away. Aiming with a compound bow takes one major consideration: aiming with or without sight.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sights are a useful aid to line up your shot and help you aim better. But is it a must? Can’t you aim without a sight? You can, but you probably won’t unless you have a powerful subconscious mind.<\/p>\n

Stock compound bows generally come with different kinds of sights. So if you’ve started using the compound bow, you’ll naturally learn to aim using sights first.<\/p>\n

But many shooters prefer to practice aiming based on their instincts and without sight. It’s challenging and fun. But which is better? Here we’ll go over these methods to determine the better option.<\/p>\n

How To Aim A Compound Bow With Sight<\/h2>\n

Here we’ll guide you on how to aim compound bow using the standard sights such as a peep and a multipin sight.<\/p>\n

Step 1:<\/span> Warm Yourself Up<\/h3>\n

Start preparing yourself when you’re ready to aim with your compound bow. Warming yourself up is the best way to ease the tense muscles and eliminate mental stress. So do some stretches to relax the shoulders, neck, upper back muscles, and forearms.<\/p>\n

Step 2:<\/span> Take the Right Position<\/h3>\n

Take a neutral stance. Place the feet even with each other and at a 90-degree angle with the bow. The hips should be parallel to the bow at full draw. If you prefer a closed stance, step a couple of inches forward with the front foot with weight evenly balanced.<\/p>\n

Step 3:<\/span> Grip Properly<\/h3>\n

Make sure the bow is tuned well for releasing dead straight arrows. Now grip the bow as it should feel natural to hand, and don’t overdo it. Place the forehand palm against its handle like normal and get the bow to full draw with forefingers taken off the handle.<\/p>\n

Step 4:<\/span> Draw the Bow to the Right Anchor Point<\/h3>\n

Nock your arrow onto the bowstring and draw it back. Your wrist should be relaxed and straight. Now, as you pull the bow and the string comes closer to the face, find an anchor point so that the part of the bow meets the face. Some of the common anchor points to naturally return for the next shot include the cheekbone, below the neck, or the ear.<\/p>\n

Step 5:<\/span> Use the Peep Sight to Look Through<\/h3>\n

Now it’s time to know how to aim a compound bow with a peep sight. This ring-like aiming aid is attached to the bowstring to see through the target while aiming. Make sure you look through it clearly while drawing the bow to the anchor point. Here is a guide<\/a> on adjusting peep sight properly. <\/p>\n

Step 6:<\/span> Use the Forward Sight to Aim the Target<\/h3>\n

In this bow sight aiming method, we assume you have the forward sight at your bow’s front side. Align it so that the target and the forward sight can be seen through the peep sight.<\/p>\n

You can extend the forward sight to increase its distance with the peep sight for a more accurate aim. Check this article<\/a> to attach your compound bow sight accurately on your bow. <\/p>\n

\"Use<\/span><\/p>\n

Step 7:<\/span> Align Your Pin & Check the Bubble Level<\/h3>\n

The forward sight has multiple pins lined up, such as 20, 30, 40, and 50 yards. Select the pin that you think matches your range. If you’re unsure about the range, start with the 20-yard pin and adjust using a trial-and-error method.<\/p>\n

Related: <\/span>Guide To Using Compound Bow Sights <\/span><\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

How To Aim A Compound Bow Without Sights<\/h2>\n

Doing it without sight requires no such aid and is based on instinctive techniques. Two main techniques for it include gap shooting and string walking.<\/p>\n

You must repeat the same steps (from the method mentioned above), from tuning the bow to drawing it to the anchor point. The differences start regarding the use of sights. Let’s see the details.<\/p>\n

\"How<\/span><\/p>\n

Gap Shooting Method of Aiming without Sight<\/h3>\n

Gap shooting is a technique used by archers or hunters who don’t use a sight on their bows. This technique requires refining the aim of the shots after firing each arrow. Let’s see how to aim compound bow with gap shooting:<\/p>\n

Step 1:<\/span> Use the Point of Your Arrow as the Sight Picture<\/h4>\n

We assume you’ve prepared well, positioned right, and gripped the bow perfectly. As you nock the arrow on the bow and draw the bow to the anchor point, use the point of your arrow as the ‘sight picture.’<\/p>\n

Step 2:<\/span> Shoot and Use the First Shot as a Marker<\/h4>\n

Use any of your preferred release methods like split-finger or 3-finger under to shoot the target. Now mark your first shot and try to understand and mentally record the impact & direction of the arrow from the bullseye.<\/p>\n

Step 3:<\/span> Find Your Gap<\/h4>\n

Let’s say you have started at the 5-yard distance and placed the arrow’s tip on the bullseye. The arrow should’ve impacted high after releasing the shot. If the arrow impacts 6 inches high, your gap at 5 yards is 6 inches. And you’ve to place the arrow tip 6 inches below the target to hit the bullseye at this gap.<\/p>\n

Step 4:<\/span> Point the Arrow Below or Above the Target<\/h4>\n

Now increase the distance at different set intervals like 10,15,20,25,30,35, and 40 yards. Calculate your arrow’s impact at every interval. Every time place the tip of the arrow below or above the target based on the impact of the most recent shot as discussed above.<\/p>\n

Typically, a shorter distance (or gap) will have a higher impact, and you need to place the arrow below the target. And for longer distances, it’s the opposite. After mapping out all the gaps, you should know where to place the arrow at a particular gap to hit the bullseye.<\/p>\n

String Walking Method To Aim Without Sight<\/h3>\n

String walking is another technique to aim your compound bow without sight. It’s based on the position of your fingers holding the bowstring during a shot.<\/p>\n

Step 1:<\/span> Place Your Finger In an Optimal Position<\/h4>\n

In this method, you’ve to place the fingers on the bowstring where you think you can aim the shot most accurately.<\/p>\n

Step 2:<\/span> Use a Measuring Device to Track<\/h4>\n

The best way to track where you place your finger on the bowstring is to use String Tab. This device lets you map your finger positions on the bowstring against the impact of your shot.<\/p>\n

Step 3:<\/span> Adjust Your Fingers By Moving them Up or Down<\/h4>\n

If you’ve got a higher anchor point and want the shot to land lower to reach the target, place your fingers lower on the bowstring while drawing the arrow. And to hit it higher on the target, do the opposite, draw your bowstring back with fingers positioned higher.<\/p>\n

When Should You Use Compound Bow With Sight?<\/h2>\n

Sights are widely used with compound bows for hunting, archery, target practicing, and any instance where the target distance is known. Sights can lift the shooting performance by providing the following benefits.<\/p>\n