I shoot instinctive with my stickbows, of course, and I naturally followed suit with my compounds. The only difference is that I shoot the sticks split finger, off the shelf, and shoot the wheels 3-under with a flipper rest. I' ve shot my compounds with sights and releases in competition, but found that style leaves a LOT to be desired in a hunting rig.

For one thing, I don' t like having to pack up and leave when there' s still plenty of legal shooting time and plenty of light to see animals clearly, but not enough light to see my pins. I also have never figured out a way to silence those %$#! mechanical sounds the release makes.

I can' t stand being forced to hold my bow in a specific way when I shoot. If I need to cant the bow to get around a limb or some other obstruction, I can' t do it with sights. It' s no big deal when shooting instinctive.

Arthritis in my hands is getting worse all the time and I' m on my last leg as far as stickbows go. I have a hard time shooting sticks that are legal hunting weight. I need to just hang ' em up and go compound full time. I also need to switch to release, but I' m so dang hardheaded (I know most of you have already figured THAT one out ) that I can' t just give up.

I' ll probably go to the compound and release full time after this season is over, but sights will never adorn one of my bows again. Getting too blind to see the blasted things anyway.

As far as a year long commitment to practice, I think ALL archery deserves a year round commitment to practice. But ' practice' sounds like work. I shoot for enjoyment and relaxation and so it' s not a burden on me at all to hit the range once or twice a week.