I am new to hunting with a compound bow. I have hunted 5 years with a crossbow and now I am learning that a compound bow is a whole new ballgame. I bought a bow a few weeks ago and can't seem to get it dialed in. The bow was bought at a pro-shop and the guy there seemed very knowledgable and professional. He set the bow for my draw length and then we proceeded to try to get it tuned right(arrow knock, peep sight and pins all set properly.) Well, I am either not shooting it right or something is off? I cant hit the 10 ring from 10 yards(a bit discouraging but I know these things just need worked out at times.) Anyway, I shoot consistently down and to the right about 4 inches from 10 yards. Then, from 15 yards I am not consistent at all. Sometimes high, sometimes low, but usually on the mark or just to the right. The pro-shop guy shot my bow which is set for my draw length and everything and he hit the mark 4 straight times, so he wasn't sure what the problem may be other than my muscles might not be tuned into pulling and stabilizing the bow yet? I have been working on that part of it, but any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks guys!

Do you have wrist sling on the bow? If not you should probably get one because if you are griping the bow you will more than likely be torquing it causing the shot to be all over the place so I suggest you get a wrist sling and let the bow rest in your hand and DON'T GRIP IT hope this helps
Oh yea welcome to the wonderfull world of bow hunting

good luck and God bless

I'll chime in. Like the other poster said, your grip should be firm, but relaxed. This will help keep you from torquing the bow. I had a similar problem, arrows hitting all over the place, and I solved it by consciousley making sure that I drew to the same position on my face every time I shot. Maybe your peepsight has a big enough hole in it that you can hold at different places on your face and still see the pins. This will effect the impact point of your arrow. Choose a spot to draw to on your face, and draw to that point every time. I don't like them, but you may even want to try a "kisser".

Good Luck man. The season is getting real close, too close for having problems such as these.



I'll take good luck over skill any day!

just keep shooting. i just started shooting a couple months ago, and im still not consistant at all at 30, but ive improved on 20 a lot. one thing that hurt me was that i dropped by bow after i shot. make sure you keep your bow up after you shoot.

The biggest thing that I found is to get an anchor point where you touch every time you draw. I touch my jaw bone and that way that part of your draw is the same every time. Next like the other guys said keep your bow hand lose you will toque the bow if you grip it too tight. Next do not move back until you hit consistantly at 10 yrds. then and only then move back do not take a couple shots at 10 then move back to 15 or 20 it will mess you up. PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE and BE SAFE
GO back to the pro shop they will help I am sure the ones in my area are very good about it.

well you said you were hittin 4in down and to the right, are you doing this everytime at 10 yds? If you are move pin down a bit and stand at 10 yds and try. You might be off a bit on your sights. like the others said also get a wrist sling and let the bow rest in your hand. keep all pressure to the palm and let fingers go free. also remember to follow through, keep aiming the bow until the arrows hits the target. It takes time especially if your not use to shooting a compound. Just keep practicing youll get it. good luck hope this helps. also you could go down to pro shop and get him to watch you shoot, he might be able to point out something.

When setting you pins follow the arrow, if it hits to the left move the pin left and so forth, When i shoot i like to clear my mind before i draw and concentrate on where i am trying to hit draw in one fluid motion, align your peep and pin then put them on the target, and genlty squeeze your release just as you would with a rifle (or your case a slug gun or crossbow) and if you dont hit where you want dont get discouraged and dont shoot until you get mad if you arent hitting wehre you want call it quits after ten shots or so and give it some time you usually will just get worse if you continue to shoot. this is a great place to get help there are some people that got vast amounts of knowledge,

"She said if I hit that fishin hole today, she's be packin all her things and she'd, be gone by noon....I'm gonna miss her, when I get home."

The only thing that I'll add is what smoky ghost said, Follow through and keep aiming until the arrow hits the target. If you aren't doing this then you may be dropping your bow to quickly and this could cause you to hit low and be inconsistent. Following through is one of the biggest things that I struggle with myself!! Follow through is very very important. Also, your poundage may be a little high, you might want to check that. You should be able to draw straight back slowly and smoothly, If you are pointing your bow straight up in the air and having to jerk the string back to get it drawn then the poundage needs to come down some.

Hey thanks guys. I was at the range last night and got some things ironed out. I wasn't centering my aiming point within the peep. I thought the hole for the peep seemed a little big? Anyway, so that takes care of that. Also, I think I have been torqueing my bow a little which has had some effect on my consistency so that was great advice! I knew about follow through aim. I was getting good 5 inch groups out to 20 and 25 yards last night. I have a few weeks yet, and if broadheads dont throw me off too much I will be ready for the season. Thanks again guys! Much appreciated!

Hey Buckeye, what part of Ohio are you from? I live south of Dayton. If your any where near where I live I could maybe give you some tips. I had a buddy of mine hitting all over the place and after watching him I saw alot of hand tourque. A loose relaxed grip helped him alot. Also watch out for too much draw length. This can cause this also. JimBow