If you don't use a peep sight...
 

then how do you sight. Is it just the anchor point vs. the front sight pin or a nock point vs. the front sight pin?

I bought a used bow and was about to release my 20th or so shot when my eye spotted that one of the brass bands that bound the peep into the string was loose. A quick physics problem in my head told me that if I released that arrow the peep sight would come loose and could do some bodily harm. I drew down and removed the peep and have not drawn the bow since, waiting to reinstall the peep.

The question is: Can one forego a peep sight if the anchor is good, ie. consistent and just use the front sight.

thanks

BTW: I was pretty proud of those first shots all in a 6" ring at 30 paces.

BUCKGOBBLER WANNABE

RE: If you don't use a peep sight...
 

Yes, you can be pretty accurate without a peep as long as you have some solid and repeatable anchor references. It will require more practice time. You can go to something like the NoPeep, but you're still going to need at least two, preferably 3, anchor references.

A peep sight is really nothing more than an anchor reference anyway.

RE: If you don't use a peep sight...
 

You can surely shoot without the peep,but as has been mentioned,it will take a concerned effort to make sure that you anchor EXACTLY the same EVERY TIME!For me this is not as easy as it sounds,especially under hunting conditions.The peep site is merely another reference point,this is true enough,but imagine if you will,shooting your rifle with ONLY the front site as a reference point.How do you think your accuracy would turn out?I know that most bowhunting shots are at close range,but we owe the animals we hunt the respect to be the best shot we can be,don't you agree?
I personally hate a peep-site.I ream mine out to gather more sight picture and take in as much light as possible.They always seem to twist,get water in them or something else that ticks me off.I'm looking at some of the alternatives around to find something that I'm more happy with.Time will tell.Good Luck!
Later.....whackman

RE: If you don't use a peep sight...
 

I don't use a peep. Never really liked them, I did try one once. Of course I was the guy who hated going to a release, but eventually saw I needed to with the hard cammed bow I am shooting.

Can a peep help your accuracy? Probably. I have no problems out to 30 yds though, so I am happy as is.

--Jim

RE: If you don't use a peep sight...
 

Timberline No Peep!! I love it. Peep sights definatly make me more accurate than nothing but with the no peep it will make you anchor in the same spot every time and will let you know if you are torquing your bow. It never twist or fills with water and low light is not a problem. it mounts right below your sight. You just glance down a little, make sure the circle and dot line up, then shoot as you would with no peep. After you use it awile you will find that you are anchoring more consistent and don't need it as much. I took mine off for hunting last season and when I started shooting after the first of the year I was'nt happy with my groups. I put the no peep back on and BINGO my groups started shrinking. I'm leaving it on from now on

RE: If you don't use a peep sight...
 

I use a hind sight it works great for me

RE: If you don't use a peep sight...
 

I think with most sports (I am a scratch bowler, B level tennis player and a dandy shot with an open sight rifle) the key is consistency. Once you get the basics of form, posture, and delivery, try to find the most repeatable motion that produces results and practice, practice, practice.

So I may try it without the peep and see how well the groups come out. Agreed, we need to give the animal the best shot possible. So I won't take the bow into the field until I am comfortable and confident that I can drop them quickly.

This leads to another question: Do you need to have someone in the field with you who is an experienced hunter, or can you learn more than the basics from reading books, watching the videos, and scouting in the field before season? I don't really know anyone near me who hunts. Even though I know woods lore (first class boy scout, avid fisherman, and camper/hiker) I am reluctant to venture out and try to hunt without having an experienced hunter along to show me things I might miss or council me in shoot/no shoot situations. What are your thoughts?

BUCKGOBBLER WANNABE

RE: If you don't use a peep sight...
 

Of course, you know there are certain knotheads (like me) that don't use any sights at all on their hunting bows. Sights are for target shooting, in my estimation, and I'm even getting back into barebow target shooting. My 50 year old eyes don't pick up my sight pins very good any more, any how. <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

If you've got the time to devote to practicing, you might consider barebow.

Now, for your second question. Read everything you can get your hands on. Use what you think will work for you and forget the rest. If you know a grizzled veteran bowhunter to go out with, that's a major advantage. Bottom line though, experience is the best teacher. Get out and hunt.

RE: If you don't use a peep sight...
 

Cool, thanks everyone. I am sooooo hot to get out there. Every night when I lay down, I can't get to sleep because I am thinking about deer and turkey and guns and bows and and and...whooo hooo lets go!!!!

Ok, must calm down, I am at work now...deep breaths...

BUCKGOBBLER WANNABE

RE: If you don't use a peep sight...
 

I don't have a peep but do use a yikes bowsight. At full draw you place your anchor and then line up 2 pins like you would a rifle. Once they are lined up you let er rip! I love mine.

-lee-

RE: If you don't use a peep sight...
 

Never even tried a peep, anchor and pins. If I were you I would start scouting/learning now. Get out in the woods and check things out, look for sign, when you think you have found what you deem to be a good spot, have a seat with the wind in your face and wait. Learn all you can.

If you can an experienced hunter can be helpful, but not a neccesity, in reality you will learn more on your own through asking questions and experience. It is real nice to have someone show you how to field dress a deer the first time though.

The Tazman

RE: If you don't use a peep sight...
 

Go without the peep. They are harder to use in low-light conditions, and just one more thing to go wrong (as you have found out). You can shoot just as well without it. Just practice.

RE: If you don't use a peep sight...
 

Yeah Tazman, I would not even attempt a field dress on my own. I can fillet or steak fish, but deer and turkey are a whole difrnt animal. I got alot to learn.

BUCKGOBBLER WANNABE

RE: If you don't use a peep sight...
 

I have skinned a few snakes as well...

RE: If you don't use a peep sight...
 

Better carry a laptop and a cell phone so you can log on and get real time field dressing advice once you get a deer on the ground. <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

RE: If you don't use a peep sight...
 

I use a peep for 3-D and the off season, but Before hunting comes around I always pull the peep. I achor with a kisser, the end of my nose and line up the pin with the string for my shots. that figures into 3 achor points and I haven't had and problems with shots out to 50 yards on targets.

RE: If you don't use a peep sight...
 

Like many have said, with proper and repeated anchoring points shooting without a peep is fine. I have tried them in the past for 3D, but I absolutely refuse to hunt with one. They cause me more problems while hunting than good. I have no trouble hunting without one.