Switching to southpaw?
 

Hey All,
I've been into archery now for just at 3 years. I shoot RH in firearms and bow both. I am however left eye dominant. At present I shoot well, but cannot keep both eyes open while shooting bow. With firearms I have adapted well, I track with my left the close it once on target. Shooting clay pigeons helped with this, and not too many rabbits or birds get away.
Archery however, I would like to be able to aim/shoot with both eyes open. I have tried and at best have to squint my left eye if not close it altogether. Have any of you had much experience with this as well? I've started to consider switching to a south paw. I'm going to buy a new bow after this season is over and am a little timid to switch, but not opposed to it... Have any of you tried switching? How did it turn out?

Thanks,
R

RE: Switching to southpaw?
 

Talk ot MGH, he went thru that this past year.

I had a buddy that switched also several years back. Small transition, but it seems much better for you in the long run.

RE: Switching to southpaw?
 

Yep, I went through this switch last spring. I shot for much longer than 3yrs, and it was a fairly smooth transition with no regrets. I have always known I was left eye dominant, and my dad had me shooting rifles left handed since I was 10, but he wasn't an archer. When I decided to pick up archery at 14 (I'm now 23), the bow shop at the time asked if I was left or right handed, and as such I told them I was right handed (which I am). I had shot my bows right handed like that up until last spring. I started talking to Rob/PA, and a few members on here about my situation, and it came down to many recommending I make the switch. For me, I was noticing I was having issues focusing back and forth between the pin and the target. I could never really blur the pin, nor could I attempt to shoot with both eyes open. I wanted to see if using my dominant eye had any effect (positive or negative).

I started out with a low poundage (I recommend you do the same) 101st Airborne. For the first month and a half, I never fired the bow. I simply did drawing drills (thank Rick James for this advice) where I would draw back, concentrating on my form and muscle use, then let down. I repeated this for over 600 reps (RJ recommends over 1000). Basically what you're trying to do is build muscle memory and proper form WITHOUT developing the bad habits early on. It was a little awkward early on, but it became quite effortless after a while.

Once I started shooting, I was definitely noticing a difference. I'm able to fully blur the pin, bring it back to focus, and vice versa as much as I want. My form is solid, I'm comfortable, and when I was at my peak in the summer, my accuracy/consistency had improved tremendously. I have NO regrets at all.

Also talk to Ben/PA on here. He switched when I did as well.

RE: Switching to southpaw?
 

I switched 42 years ago, oh wait I am 42. I didn't have to switch I am left handed. :D:D

RE: Switching to southpaw?
 

Yeah, what Matt said. I didn't do the reps though. It came very natural to me. I have never shot better and it feels great. Seriously, Matt's story is just about to the word, mine as well.

RE: Switching to southpaw?
 

For those of you who have made the switch, do you still shoot firearms right-handed? I'm in need of a new bow anyway, and I guess now's a good a time as any to try out southpaw, but there's now way I can afford to replace my guns. I've never really had any problem shooting right handed, but if there's a chance that going to lefty will make me betterI guess I'm willing to try.

RE: Switching to southpaw?
 

Every rifle I own but one (my .308) is right handed. You become very efficient operating the bolt pretty quickly. Plus I grew up shooting right handed rifles left handed.

RE: Switching to southpaw?
 

My son is left handed and is right eye dominant. I just taught him to shoot right handed and everything has gone great for him. When he bought his first bow this year, I thought he'd have to spend a lot of time practicing before hunting, but I was wrong! Turned out to be a natural at that.

I would suggest going to your local archery shop and try shooting several arrow left handed and then make your decision from there.