Right handed, Left eye dominant
 

I have a guy at work who wants to get started in archery. He is right handed but left eye dominant. should he shoot left or right handed? Right now I am letting him shoot one of my old right handed bows. Would he be better off just taking the time to learn to shoot as a south paw?

RE: Right handed, Left eye dominant
 

I am right handed, but left eye dominant. I shoot bow right handed, and I shoot my guns right handed. I shoot pretty well with both. One thing that helps me out a little bit with the bow is to keep both eyes open when i am looking through the peep sight with my right eye.

RE: Right handed, Left eye dominant
 

My son is the same way.He shoots left handed,has no problem with it.

RE: Right handed, Left eye dominant
 

Me and my dad are both the same way. I have always shot a gun left handed, and most of them are RH guns. It is just too hard to find LH parts when you need them. I do shoot my bow right handed, and have no difficulties with form, closing one eye or the other, etc. Like all things it will just take getting used to. It would probably be easier for your friend to buy and shoot a RH bow.

RE: Right handed, Left eye dominant
 

I have the same problem and switched to a left-hand bow. I can shoot more accurately and consistently with both eyes open. If he is just starting, you might as well start him out right (I mean left).<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

Turc

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RE: Right handed, Left eye dominant
 

I have a friend who is the same way and he taught himself how to shoot lefty with a bow, but he shoots guns righty. He shoots pretty well lefty so it works for him.

RE: Right handed, Left eye dominant
 

Start him out the proper way (lefty) He'll be glad later on. Also like Turc said, two eyes open is best for hunting (imo).
Have him look around and find a good used (properly sized) lefty bow. It will be better than investing alot of money in a new one....especially just starting out.

Edited by - WV Hunter on 02/27/2002 15:00:06

RE: Right handed, Left eye dominant
 

My Daughter is the same way. Talked to an instructor about it, he said &quot;whatever is most comfortable for her.&quot; So she shoots right handed, But she has to close her left eye.

RE: Right handed, Left eye dominant
 

I am left eye dominant also but shoot my bow right handed using a peep sight with no problem.I do shoot my gun with a scope left handed and use my dominant eye.Once you practice it is easy to get use to.I would suggest your friend try shooting a bow right handed being his right arm will be the stronger one as some bows take a little strength to pull back.

RE: Right handed, Left eye dominant
 

I was the same way when I was younger, my son is that way also. My dad taught me to go rightie, cheaper to buy guns and what not, also when were out shooting most people are right handed, so you can shoot their stuff too!!<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

RE: Right handed, Left eye dominant
 

I am right handed and right eye dominant but can not shoot with both eyes open without the use of a blinder over the left eye.

RE: Right handed, Left eye dominant
 

With a compound, using a peep, I don't have a problem. It might even actually be a little of an advantage, because it forces me to concentrate.

With a recurve/longbow, there might be something to it, but with a compound, I don't think there is.

RE: Right handed, Left eye dominant
 

My brother is the same way, he shoots left handed. damn fine shot too!

Hunting soothes the soul

RE: Right handed, Left eye dominant
 

I had the same problem.
The answer was a PEEP sight!!!!

RE: Right handed, Left eye dominant
 

I have the same problem. I shoot right handed, had to close the left eye at first but am getting better at using both with a peep. I would recomend that he go to a pro shop and try it left handed first.

RE: Right handed, Left eye dominant
 

I made the switch 2 years ago. I don't think you will find a professional archer that will tell you NOT to shoot left handed if you are left eye dominant. I asked lots of folks and this is why I say it. I talked to several folks at the pro shops around here and sent e-mail's in to Dave Holt, Norb Mullaney, and Len Cardinale(sp) asking this question and got 2 outa 3 responses from these guys. My question ended up in Bowhunter magazine and everyone said SWITCH! Oh,...I also talked to a couple gun shops and was told that I would be hard pressed to find a top skeet shooter that doesn't shoot off the dominant eye. I REALLY did my homework on this one because it was a big decision,...AND I was buying Matthews ($$$$) and wanted to be certain!! :)

This was after 15 years of shooting right handed and I shot pretty well by most standards. My experience with switching started shaky the first few sessions, and I initially actually had some anxiety because it felt so strange that I was thinking my body was outa whack or something and it wouldn't work. I had to change my anchor point from under my chin to the back part of my jaw.

It will be a win win for your friend!:
1. An open stance will feel more natural.
2. He will be shooting from his dominant eye which is just plain correct!
3. He will also have a added advantage in that since he is left eye dominant and right handed,...he will be using his dominant right hand(usually strongest arm)as the bow arm.....AND that is a plus.

Get him started correctly and he won't have to make the switch if he really gets into this sport and is searching for every little thing to improve his game!!

RE: Right handed, Left eye dominant
 

I believe that he should go south paw all the way. I work at an archery shop and believe me it's more frustrating that ever to get someone started in archery and then get them excited over shooting or improving their shooting when they can't. It's hard to get them to the next level of shooting. The complications of form come into play which is the foundation of archery. I discussed this with a good friend who is the Olympic Shooting Coach. He agrees.

RE: Right handed, Left eye dominant
 

Just as many of the others stated - start him off lefty. I'm in the same boat as your friend and have always shot left handed.