I'm new to this site, and I need some compound bow advise or tips really. I got a bow a couple months back, its a Bowtech Razor Edge. Anyway, I got it at a sporting goods store, and got all the equipment they said was needed. I have been practicing for months and don't seem to be getting any better..I can't even hit a target consistently at 10 yards. Sometimes it seems i'm shooting pretty good, then i'm not anymore. I've tried tuning it and all of that to adjust my sight, and i'm thinking maybe i've done it wrong or something, and its getting really frustrating for me. If anyone can give any suggestions, that would be great, as I have nobody to help me out with this. Thanks.
first off, Welcome to the Site!:D There can be a number of problems associated with accuracy issues. One good place to check is with your draw length. If it is too short or too long you may be getting and inconsistent anchor point, or floating anchor. Which basically means that your release hand is in a different spot everytime you touch off. Is the shopy or purchased the bow from close by? You may want to have them measure you for your draw length and re-adjust if needed. For me personally, my anchor point is right under my jaw line where it curves up. I take the point bewteen my thumb and pointer finger and it rests here. Obviously this a personal thing, many people have many anchors. Another thing is that you could be punching the trigger. This refers to someone actually "jerking" the trigger upon release, instead of a nice fluid pull. In order to help with this problem I often stand about 5yrds from my target, get centered, then close my eyes and shoot sveral times. This well help you physically feel what your release should feel like. Obviously it will be hard to properly diagnose the problem on the computer. Like I said take it to the shop, or post up a picture of your form at full draw so we may be able to help you out. Good Luck!
Thanks. I'm thinking that it may be a trigger pulling problem. I have the right draw lengths and such because the shop adjusted them for me when i purchased the bow. I am a total novice to all of this, so this may be a stupid question, but when I am adjusting the sights on the bow, I am supposed to be moving the entire pin set correct? My pins and sight are made by Octane, and are what came in the bow package. The weird thing is that moving them in any way possible still makes the arrows go in the exact same place. I cannot seem to figure out why.
When your sighting your bow in do you know that your supposed to chase the arrows right? Lets say you are shooting and all of your arrows group to the left. Then you adjust your sight to the left with the arrows. That will move your group to the right next time you shoot. As for the trigger release, Its just like shooting a gun. You dont want to jerk the trigger or you will pull your shot. Take your time and when your pin is where you want it gently squeeze the trigger. You should just use easy pressure on the trigger. This should help your grouping.
Yeah, I know about chasing the arrows, someone else told me that and I thought it would help. The individual pins arent supposed to be moved though in my style of sight correct?
I have an Octane sight and I adjust the individual pin for each yardage. Being new to it all I would think the first place to check would be your form.
Welcome to the site first off. imo I'd start by finding an archery instructor even if its only one or two sessions since there can be an endless number of things causing your problem. Once your form is decent then you can turn towards bow changes. I'd start with going to www.bowhunter.com and view the dead on segments with randy ulmer. Also Larry wise has three good begginer videos on www.bowtube.com. Nothing can replace one on one instruction but these helped me a lot when I first started getting into archery. One other thing if you get fustrated while shooting stop and cool down because it will make you shoot worse if your mad
First of all congratulations on the new bow. Second I agree with BustinHearts that getting everything dialed in online might be more work than going to a proshop and having someone walk you through the basics. But if that's a problem I guess a good place to start would be telling us exactly what you mean when you say you aren't shooting consistently at ten yards. Also might be good to know what other gear your using...arrows, release, rest etc.
The individual pins will need to be moved to set the gap between them which is determined by the speed of your bow. Once you have the gap set according to the distances you are shooting (10, 20, 30 or 20, 30, 40) then you should only have to move the entire sight. It sounds like your bow hasn't been properly tuned to you and your arrow yet. That's what you should be focusing on before making sight adjustments.
KodiakArcher, I have been moving the entire sight this whole time and never the individual pins, as I thought they came 10, 20, 30 set all ready. Since I have moved the whole sight so much, how do I know where to put it now to begin to move the pins individually? Also, on a side note, is it common to get a "burn" in your forearm when you shoot? this seems to be happening to me, and does this mean there is something wrong with my form that I am experiencing this? Thanks again, I appreciate all of this help.
Basically start with your sight where is it now and go shoot starting at say, ten yards. Once you get the elevation set, whether you move the sight housing or the pins individually, you can slowly move out to longer distances and set the other pins. There is no right or wrong place for the housing, generally speaking. Windage adjustment is all done on the windage bar, not the pins. Basically speaking. Move the sight housing to get your general elevation set, then move the pins to fine tune it. As far as the burn in your arm we need more information. Is it from the string slapping your arm? or just a lactic burn? Again, a good option for anyone to help you on here is just post a picture of you at full draw if possible.
Burn as in muscle soreness or string slap? If it's muscle soreness then no, that's not normal. Look to your "grip" and hand placement on the bow. http://www.bowsite.com/bowsite/features/practical_bowhunter/grip/index.htm If it's string slap, that's not right either. Look to your stance, grip and draw length to correct this.
If you are getting a slap on your arm every once and a while you are canting your bow.If you are getting a slap on your arm a lot then your draw length is at least an inch to long. How tall are you and what draw length is your bow set at now? When you shoot if you can't get the pin to sit on the dot because you hit the trigger the second you get even near the dot you have target panic.
I'd go back to the pro shop where they adjusted it, and have them watch what your doing. they may be able to see what the problem is. May be a combination of things. read up on form, that's very important, lousy form leads to inconsistent shooting, which leads to arrows not going where you want them to go to. Randy Ulmer is definitely a guy worth looking up for reading. His articles have helped me out.
Here's how I got rid of "string slap"...hold your bow so the grip lays in the "valley" of your palm, parallel to the long lines (life line) in your palm. This will cause your knuckles to be about 45° from your bow which causes the fat part of your arm to be away from the path your string travels. This may help with your accuracy issues. Give it a try. By the way, welcome to the best place for info, most of it is good. Edit:Relax your grip on the bow, when at full draw only your palm should be touching the grip. Don't grip your bow until the arrow hits the target.
