Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Bow Hunting => Topic started by: rpm4463 on October 30, 2011, 08:01:43 AM

Title: need some advice, always shooting to left
Post by: rpm4463 on October 30, 2011, 08:01:43 AM: I've been shooting my bow for about 5 years now and have never had any big issues. I stopped shooting in January because my priorities changed, but started back a few weeks ago :) I decreased the wieght of my bow to 55lbs and had no problems. The initial two weeks I only shot from 10 yards becaue I wanted to concentrate on my form and build my strength. Everything was going great, then last monday (6 days) I backed up to 20 yards. Slowly my shots started verring to the left. Probably 50/50 dead on or up to 2" to the left. I adjusted my site, but again started veering to the left. There was no consistancy and I numbered all my arrows to make sure it was not the arrows. It could be the first shot or 30th shot.

I'm guessing my problems maybe: tourque my bow or flinching, but I've concentrated on working on both. Now I think it is a mentle thing!

I'm going on a bow hunt to Wisconsin in a couple weeks. I'm lucky because the hunting is from treestands with most of the shots within 25 yards.
any suggestions?
Title: Re: need some advice, always shooting to left
Post by: hughjorgan on October 30, 2011, 08:25:37 AM: You probably need to get some arrows.that are.properly spine.for.your bow.since you decreased your poundage or just increase your poundage to what it was before and you will ne good to go.
Title: Re: need some advice, always shooting to left
Post by: rpm4463 on October 30, 2011, 08:30:10 AM: According to the charts that is the correct spine. I've increased my lbs to a little over 60 lbs and have no problem with strength.
Title: Re: need some advice, always shooting to left
Post by: Button Nubbs on October 30, 2011, 08:34:57 AM: If its not the arrows then my :twocents: would be grip or anchor.
Title: Re: need some advice, always shooting to left
Post by: Special T on October 30, 2011, 09:02:54 AM: Some times its just better not to over think it... Especially if its mental. :twocents:
Title: Re: need some advice, always shooting to left
Post by: jnevs23 on October 30, 2011, 09:14:12 AM: Gripping too tight?
Title: Re: need some advice, always shooting to left
Post by: STIKNSTRINGBOW on October 30, 2011, 09:48:36 AM: Possible causes of arrows striking left of target.

Nocks very loose fit on string
Nocks too tight fit on string
Nocks not aligned on shaft, pointing to left at end
Arrow sliding off worn arrow rest
Fletches slightly hitting bow or arrow rest on release
Bow limbs twisted
Bow limbs not aligned
Pressure point out too far from centre shot location
Arrow hitting outside edge of bow window
Arrow spine too stiff
Fletches not large enough to control arrow
Weight variations in arrow points
Arrow rest too far forward or back from pressure point of bow
Title: Re: need some advice, always shooting to left
Post by: STIKNSTRINGBOW on October 30, 2011, 09:51:29 AM: Caused by:-
Bow Hand
placed further right on grip, causing torque in bow
wrist bent inwards, moves bow to the left on release
tilting top limb to the right
moving to the left on release
Bow Arm
over-extended or locked
Bow Shoulder
pointed to the left
Drawing Hand
plucking the bowstring on release
string alignment further right than usual
snap shooting, not at full draw and anchored prior to release
Head
moving position of teeth, moves chin position for anchor
held forward offline with body
Other
leaning body backwards
bowstring hitting loose clothing on release
loss of back tension on release
Title: Re: need some advice, always shooting to left
Post by: pianoman9701 on October 30, 2011, 09:55:58 AM: I would suggest standing very close to your target, within 5 yards. Come to full draw, aiming at your target, close your eyes and shoot. Do this several times, 10 or more. If your arrows are striking your aiming point squarely, do it next with your eyes open. Repeat this at 10 yards. If you're still striking squarely, I would next paper tune your arrows to see if there's drift to one side.

My first instinct for shooting to the left is that you're jerking (if you're right-handed). This could be target anxiety. Have you lost or broken any arrows at 20? Are you following through by keeping your draw hand up at your release point well after the release? You also might consider one lesson at the local archery shop to have someone waqtch your form.
Title: Re: need some advice, always shooting to left
Post by: hughjorgan on October 30, 2011, 10:54:11 AM: Maybe fletching contact.from your rest. Did you look at your vanes to see if the are making contact with something upon release?
Title: Re: need some advice, always shooting to left
Post by: AKBowman on October 30, 2011, 11:54:12 AM: My hunting partner told me about this this yr while we were BS-ing in the middle of the day on an Elk hunt...

If you've ever watched a slow motion video of the nock on a string, from the time the string leaves the release (or fingers in my case) to the time the arrow releases from the string the arrow can and will randomly move or "float" down the string from the nock. Its really suprising to watch this in super slow motion and I'm willing to bet this could be what is causing your problems.

If you dont have a small "stopper" knot below the little metal round thing on your string (not sure what the name if it is) that you knock your arrow below than that may be what is causing the randomness in your misses to the left. Simply wrap a little mound of dental floss on your string below the metal washer deal so your knock fits in there snug.

I would give that a try. It cant hurt anything if you dont already do it.
Title: Re: need some advice, always shooting to left
Post by: AKBowman on October 30, 2011, 12:23:54 PM: I'm sure you shoot with a "D" loop for a release but this is what I'm talking about.

Before...
Title: Re: need some advice, always shooting to left
Post by: AKBowman on October 30, 2011, 12:24:29 PM: After...
Title: Re: need some advice, always shooting to left
Post by: rpm4463 on October 30, 2011, 02:39:22 PM: I figured I was jerking or flinching during the release. I increased the sensitivty of my release, problem solved...for now.
Title: Re: need some advice, always shooting to left
Post by: jstone on October 30, 2011, 03:37:31 PM: Hope it works for ya. I had the same thing going on. Made sure my bow hand was open not gripping the bow. Changed the grip on my bow, like night and day. Can get frustrating. Good Luck.
Title: Re: need some advice, always shooting to left
Post by: Button Nubbs on October 31, 2011, 11:02:33 AM: Quote from: rpm4463 on October 30, 2011, 02:39:22 PM
I increased the sensitivty of my release, problem solved...for now.

do some reading on a "suprise release." i prefer a heavier trigger. light triggers will lead to target panic and punching the trigger :twocents: