Aiming with a recurve

[lte_622]

How do you aim your recurves i dont have a clue but was wanting to try out my dads recurve lately

[Double Creek]

There are basically 3 ways to shoot a stickbow.

1. Instinctive
2. Gap
3. Point of Aim

Instinctive shooters basically stare at the spot they want to hit and then shoot, they pay no attention to the arrow at all. Howard Hill said he knew many instinctive shooters, but didn't know any that were good shots

Gap shooting, also called split vision by some people is similar to instinctive shooting in that you stare at the spot you want to hit, but also see the arrow in your periferial(sp) vision and mentally note the gap between the point of your arrow and the target. For instance, for me I know that my arrow tip needs to be about 1 foot below the bullseye at 20yds. I set that gap subconscienceously and without taking my eyes off the target. There are many variations, but that is nuts and bolts...

Point of aim basically memorizes how high or low to hold the bow at any given distance and then the arrow tip is placed in that place, and that place becomes the aiming point.

Now, there are variations of each of those methods such as string walking and face walking, but they are not very common and I won't go into them.

I would say most people shoot Gap or split vision.

To try Gap shooting, you need to figure what your "gap" is at any given distance. Start at 10yds and figure out where to hold the arrow so that it hits the bullseye. keep shooting that way for a week or so and you will find that you no longer even notice the gap, your mind does it for you. Be sure to not pay too much attention to the arrow, you need to be STARING at the spot you want to hit. It will come with time.


At first it seems overwhelming. But you must stick with and keep trying new things and find out what works for you. It took me a good 3 months of shooting before I finally started figuring it out. Don't get me wrong, I am still learning and always will.

[Arthur P]

One of the most important things to do, whether you shoot instinctve or gap or any other aiming method, is to establish an anchor that puts the nock end of the arrow directly under your master eye. If your anchor puts the nock to the right of your eye, you'll miss to the left every time. If it puts the nock to the left of your eye, you'll miss to the right, every time.

Once you figure out that anchor and start shooting down the middle, then getting the proper elevation for various distances will come with practice and experience.