Ok, First going to say I am new to this whole archery thing, I just purchased a new Bear Encounter last week, and got it all set up for my draw, (well let's hope they set it right). So I get home and a few days later I take the bow out to see how off the sight was. Well........ NOw this is why I am asking for different pointers or reasons some things are going on..... First things first, forearm slap...... It doesn't feel all to Great! I know you let it happen once and that's it, well I am stiff working on that. The first few times were from me forgetting to let go of my grip and just letting the bow sit on my hand, so now I have that part down, but I am still some times getting a slap. My draw length was measured by the finger tip to other finger tip, then /2, came out to 29. The guy setting it up at Bass Pro, had me draw, and I felt like I was really reaching out for it, (he kept saying I should have a slight bend in elbow) we ended up going down to 27.5, and that's where its at now. I can still fully extend arm, like I have read it should be....... so that's the first problem. The second thing is once I get it back I start getting it lined up making sure I am doing everything right, then sometimes the string wants to bounce back forward, almost like I am right at the percent let off spot????? a few times it did this as I was pulling the trigger on my release, sending the arrow still to be determined, ( I live in the woods, it bounced a few trees and brush, but couldn't ever locate it...... not sure if draw length is set up right?????? Third is my grouping, but I think that will get better once I figure the other problems out. Sorry its so long, just trying to figure this out, it gets you hooked wanting to be able to get it right!
Your instinct is likely correct regarding too long of a draw. Here are a couple of other items to check first: Check your body posture (have someone stand safely behind and off to the side and see if your head and or upper body are leaning away from the bow. A lot of newbies run into this problem due to underdeveloped archery muscles in the back. Go to YouTube and check videos on proper bow grip. String slap can occur if you flex your wrist outward while holding at full draw. If after checking these items doesn't correct the problem, you will have to have the draw length adjusted.
Finger to finger measurement should be the number on the tape Divided by 2.5. That will get you close. if you shoot a D loop and a release the DL should come in about half inch to compensate for the length of loop an release. make sure your feet are squared to your target. your anchor points are consistent, let the bow sit in your hands and fingers hang loose. If you cant get if figured out on your own go to an Archery shop not BPS.
Ok, so I did some reading and some videos, checked my grip...... Of course now its to dark to try it shooting, but I think I found part of the problem. I have been bringing my hand back to where my thumb sat on corner of my lip, which did not allow me to see straight through the peep, so I was leaning head into string to see through peep causing my arm to come in some. I just tried a few pull backs with the thumb going to my ear and the jaws of the release right at the corner of the mouth and I can see straight now and seems my arm is out more. Tomorrow will have to try shooting to see if this helps.
