Numb finger
 

So I sighted in my bow yesterday, the first time using a used bow that I bought, and it is a finger release bow, and older Bear model. It was the first time shooting a bow, I probably took 100 shots.I have 2 questions about my results.

1. The arrow rest is a stick on arrow rest because the sight window is not cut beond center, so I cannot adjust my arrow rest location, but my arrows are all pulling left. I figured out the pull at 10, 20, and 30 yds, but I'd like to get it set straight on. Any ideas?

2. My middle fingertip has been numb for 24 hours since I finished. completely numb, I assume this is normal?

RE: Numb finger
 

Regarding the left pull, not sure if the arrows have anything to do with it, but I am using Easton 2117 XX75 with 125 grain heads. 28 in draw 50# draw wt

RE: Numb finger
 

I am very sorry to say this but your finger is going to fall off. Every one that this has happened to has lost there finger. Just give it a few days.

RE: Numb finger
 

Will losing the finger help correct the pull to the left?

RE: Numb finger
 

Of course. Which finger is it, that has a lot to do with the pull left?

RE: Numb finger
 

oh yea it is your middle finger DUHHHHHHH me. Well now you will have to cut off your thumb in order to get the left pull fixed up.

RE: Numb finger
 

If this is your first time shooting a bow and you're using fingers (I hope you are using a glove or pad) it could be the fish-tailing you're experiencing is due to plucking the string. You want the string to rest just on the tips of your fingers and imagine you're holding a pencil and just want to drop it. Pulling on the string before releasing (plucking) can cause the string to push to the side causing fish-tailing. Try just opening your fingers. What model bow is it? Give your form time to settle before you start tweaking settings.

RE: Numb finger
 

Or you can just listen to Talondale, that may save you a finger or two.

RE: Numb finger
 

Middle. Do they make prosthetic releases?

RE: Numb finger
 

I was wearing a glove. I don't think I was using just my finger tips though, I'm pretty sure I had the string in my first knuckle crease.

RE: Numb finger
 

Yeah, that usually leads to string plucking. String rolls down your finger and gets a bit of twist on it too. Try to put string on the pads of your fingertips (in the center of your fingerprint). Check the Easton website to see if your arrow spine is right. Sounds about right off the top of my head though. Did you havea shop set you up or is this just a handme down that you adopted all of there settings? Too long of a drawlength could be a problem too.

RE: Numb finger
 

I had it adjusted after I bought it. I used the Easton site and advice I got here for the arrows. It felt good when shooting. I know how far the off set is at each distance and I was getting good groupings, they were just all to the left consistantly, I'll try using my fingertips.

RE: Numb finger
 

Let me clarify something: are the arrows flying straight but not hitting where you're aiming or are they flying crooked (fish tailing) and landing on the target in an angle? Have you done a paper test? Fire a shot through a piece of paper mounted tauta couple of feet in front of you. If it makes a clean triangle shaped hole, or round hole, then your flight isgood. If youhave a big tear to one side or to the top or bottom you've got setupissues most likely (if not form). If the arrows look like they areflying straightbut hitting off target you need to adjust your sights. What model is the bow. Whitetail II? or newer?

RE: Numb finger
 

The arrows are flying straight. I'll try the paper test, but they are hiting the target straight, I adjusted the sights right and left, but I couldn't get it consistant.

RE: Numb finger
 

Some of those old bows without the cut-away arrow shelf often are difficult to align the sights far enough left to compensate for their left tendencies. Any sight shooters out there got any clues?

RE: Numb finger
 

My recurve is slightly left shot because I use a rest similar to the one Boz has , and it's adjustable , but not enough to correct the left shot . I had the same problem with stick-ons , so I just aim slightly to the right of where I want to hit .

If the numbness goes away you probably just pinched a nerve but not badly . If it doesn't go away then worry . My right thumb had the big nerve on the radial(outside) edge severed in a work accident 5 years ago and while the surgeon did his best I still have some numbness there .

RE: Numb finger
 

Your fingertip is numb because you aggravated a nerve. A hundred shots on the first time out is kinda overdoing it. You need to ease into it. Start off at 25-30 shots at first and gradually increase the number of shots every other day or so. Let your fingers toughen up some.

Severalthings can make your arrows hit left. One, your arrows might be overspined. Try some 145 gn tips and see if they shoot more down line.

Two, string pluck. That's where you pull your string hand sideways, away from your face, instead of letting it ride straight back. When you pluck, you move the string and nock end of the arrow right (for a righthanded shooter). Moving the nock end right makes thetip of the arrow point left.

Three, letting your bow hand move to the left during the release. The bow is going to move when it recoils, but you still want to keep pointing it at the target.

When you release the string, always push your elbow straight back, like you're trying to push your elbow through a wall. While doing the push, simply stop holding the string. Let the string push your fingers out of the way and escape. Always keeppointing the bow at the targetuntil your arrow hits.

Something to try so you can find out if you're standing in a natural alignment with the target. Assume your normal stance in front of your target. Close your eyes. Raise the bow and draw to anchor. Open your eyes. Chances are you're going to be pointing off to the side of the target. Move your feet around so that when you draw and open your eyes, you're pointing directly at the target. That will put you in correct alignment, so there is less muscle power being used to steady the bow on the spot. After you find that alignment and practice it awhile, it'll become automatic.

RE: Numb finger
 

Finger tip is still completely numb, kinda feels cool actually. It's not getting better, and I can't tell if its worse, cause I can't feel it.

Congrats to everyone who scored today!

RE: Numb finger
 

WHY IS YOUR FINGER NUMB??? it has to be hitting something. I should not be numb. I'm assuming if you fix that you'll be fine.

RE: Numb finger
 

Regarding the rest, I had a Bear Whitetail Hunter back in the 80's and it had one of those stick-on rests. My pro shop tapped a hole for a berger button and I installed a plunger type rest. Should be an easy thing to do and you could even do it yourself...

RE: Numb finger
 

soak your finger in "cider" the numbness may not go away but at least you won't think about it for a while

RE: Numb finger
 

After those first few posts, I'm glad to see boz53 has a sense of humor!

RE: Numb finger
 

Zac, I was thinking about boring a hole, or at least an anchor for a different rest. I'm going back out to shoot today. I'll try the range of advice that I have received from everyone and see if I can get the pull corrected by my mechanics. If not, maybe I'll try what you said about the berger button.

No improvement on the fingertip numbness. Not getting better or worse. It must have been caused by the way I was pulling the string with my finger tips. I must have been pulling it right back on that nerve. I'll see if it affects my shot today.

Thanks for everyone's advice on here. I can't wait to get out. Hopefully this weekend.