Hey guys and gals, ive been watching some people shoot and some keep both eyes open when looking in peep and some kep one closed like i do am i doing it right or wrong?
Are you left handed or right handed? Are you right eye dominate or left eye dominate? Check by pointing at something on the wall with both eyes open...now close your left eye...did your finger move from the thing you were pointing at? If not, open your left eye and close your right eye...whichever eye is closed when the object or your finger seems to move is your dominant eye This info will help a lot.
There are advantages to shooting with both eyes open, but everyone's eyes are different do what works Best for You Dan
Back when I shot a compound I always shot with both eye's open, just seemed natural to do so. For the heck of It I tried shooting with one eye closed. I hated It as It seemed I was cheating myself on what I wasn't all seeing.
grr this sucks ddnt kno u could tell which eye was dominate i just sorta guessed and was right im right handed but left eye dominate !!!! CRAP !!!! and i cant close my left eye and keep the rght eye open ... im weird like that ive tried but cant for some reason so i have to shoot left handed bows or work up some weird sight so i can turn my head and use my left eye to aim while shooting rght handed like i do wth a rifle
This thread was a good reminder for me. I am right handed and right eye dominant. I tend to practice with my left eye closed and I want to train myself not to do that, I think it is much better to be able to see more when shooting at an animal. It can help see a tree or branch before I let the arrow fly.
Great.... your are at an advantage from the get go My opinion is you should try and train yourself to shoot with both eyes open. Among the advantages noted already the biggest one I've found is being able to see where your arrows goes much better with two eyes open (My personal experience). I did the same thing. Started shooting with one eye shut and I made myself start practicing with both eyes open. It was worth it. From a fundamental standpoint, especially if you are new at archery, try and shoot with both eyes open this off season. It will pay dividends in the long run. If, for some reason after some time it does not feel comfortable to you then fine shoot with just your right eye open. It's not the end of the world and many fine shooters shoot with one eye closed. I've heard of some people believing it was important enough that if they were right handed and were left eye dominate to go through the trouble to learn how to shoot left handed.
A lot of it has to do with eye dominance. My eyes are nearly equal in dominance and although my right eye is more dominate my left eye has better vision. Because of this I need to squint my left eye closed slightly in order for my right eye to focus fully on the target. For each person it's going to be a little different, as was stated above. Another benefit of shooting with both open is that you have better depth perception. If an animal is moving while you're drawn up on it it gives you a better ability to estimate how far it has moved and adjust your shot accordingly. It also allows you to estimate the arrow's trajectory better and get it through obstacles such as overhanging branches.
Rob, I agree! I am left handed but while I am right eye dominant it is just barely. So I have to close my left eye or at times it is impossible to aim accurately. I think my Grandson is pretty much the same and the eye Dr has confirmed that. I'm looking forward to time spend with him both shooting and hunting! Dan
