Shooting with one -vs- two eyes open
 

For all 3 of my seasons bowhunting, I shot with one eye closed. The result was 2-3 inch grouping at 25yds. Recently I read here on the forums that if you open both eyes, you will likely notice an almost immediate difference. Well, I tried it and now I can hit a round orange sticker the size of a half dollar about 1 in5 shots at 40 yards! The others are all in the kill zone. It sure does help to be doing things the right way.

RE: Shooting with one -vs- two eyes open
 

yeppers

RE: Shooting with one -vs- two eyes open
 

I have always subscribed to the theory that if we were meant to do things with one eye closed we wouldn't have 2 in the first place.;)

RE: Shooting with one -vs- two eyes open
 

Two are better then one....Depth Perception....

RE: Shooting with one -vs- two eyes open
 

I have never shot with two eyes open I will have to try that.

RE: Shooting with one -vs- two eyes open
 

i will have to shoot with two open too, never done that.

RE: Shooting with one -vs- two eyes open
 

The general wisdom is that 2 eyes open is more effective, and it usually probably is. However, I know of 2 instances of archers who shoot that way and who apparently don't have well-defined dominance of one eye over the other. Occasionally , the 'non-dominant' eye takes over without them realizing it and the result is ashot that goes way off course. For example, at 40 yards, the 4 foot target butt is missed completely. So be careful what you wish for.;)

RE: Shooting with one -vs- two eyes open
 

I am one of those people that are not dominant in either eye.I keep both eyes open but must squint my left eye slightly in order to keep them from switching from one to the other.

RE: Shooting with one -vs- two eyes open
 

I have tried but loose complete focus of the peep. I can't even see it half the time, so i still close one eye. Always have done the same with my shotgun as well.

RE: Shooting with one -vs- two eyes open
 

im left eye dominant, but shoot righty, i use a peep sight, will shooting with 2 open help me out, or mess me up because of my dominat eye?

RE: Shooting with one -vs- two eyes open
 

Nope your screwed, haha, jk. No really you'll have to stick with closing that dominant eye unless you start shootin lefty............ I always shoot 2 eyes open. Only way to go. WCL

RE: Shooting with one -vs- two eyes open
 

I've shot lefty a bit even though im right handed and I think I could have made the switch pretty easy but i have no desire to. Haha I actually shot half of a 3d shoot with my bow left handed just for fun once and acually did really good, only hadone body shot, of course I had to close my right eye though. WCL

RE: Shooting with one -vs- two eyes open
 

i was always taught to shoot with two eyes open. It works better with bow and gun.

RE: Shooting with one -vs- two eyes open
 

Ive always shot with both eyes opens.Not only does it give you a better focus point,. it gives a wider FOV and allows you to see what else may be comming in at full draw incase you want to pass up the one youre drawn on.

RE: Shooting with one -vs- two eyes open
 

I switched to both eyes open a couple years back. I made a few very poor shots due to pulling my head trying to see where my arrow was going to hit. Now I do not do that any more I can see where its gonna hit!

RE: Shooting with one -vs- two eyes open
 

Depth perception is the visual ability to perceive the world in three dimensions. It is a trait common to many higher animals. Depth perception allows the beholder to accurately gauge the distance to an object.

In modern terminology, stereopsis is depth perception from binocular vision through exploitation of parallax. Depth perception does indeed rely primarily on binocular vision.

It amazes me the above isn't well known in the hunting community.

Do you close one eye when you shoot a basketball ? When you throw a football ? Hit a gold ball ?

Good GAWD why then would you close an eye when shooting ?

RE: Shooting with one -vs- two eyes open
 

Been a one eye shooter for a few years up until just recently, my archery pro suggested both eyes open. Takes a little getting use to but I have seen improvement in grouping. Depth perception make a difference in shooting too.

RE: Shooting with one -vs- two eyes open
 

I've never tried it...seems to me that my focus point will switch between eye to eye. I'm gonna try it out next time I shoot though!

Thanks for all the info guys.

RE: Shooting with one -vs- two eyes open
 

You know, another thing I didn't think about too was that when I closed one eye, the other naturally wanted to close too. Now, not only did Ihave half the light entering my eyes blocked off, I had another eye that was not wide open, leaving me with less than half of the totallight available. At dawnor dusk, this could mean the difference between a good shot or a bad one.

RE: Shooting with one -vs- two eyes open
 

You're neglecting the fact that you've built up your muscles, got more familiar with your bows and just may have improved with practice.:D I shoot with both open by the way.

RE: Shooting with one -vs- two eyes open
 

I shoot with both eyes open, it feels wayyy too awkward to shoot with once closed.

RE: Shooting with one -vs- two eyes open
 

I tried shooting with two eyes open and it didn't help me at all. I was still shooting the same.

RE: Shooting with one -vs- two eyes open
 

What if you shoot a peep??

RE: Shooting with one -vs- two eyes open
 

i'm in the same boat as you soap . i have to close my dominate eye but i still shoot pretty good