I'm verynew to this stuff, friend of mine got me into 3d shoots for fun and I bought his old bow. It's just a cheap pse nova but it shoots pretty consistant for me. I was wondering how do you find your proper draw length?

I'm about 6'2" andthe former owner isalso about the same height but when I draw the bow back I have to move my head forward to get the kisser in place or bend my arm to bring the bow back. I'm pretty sure your bow arm should be pretty straight, not bent right? I've heard of the bone to bone deal and I'm trying to do that and work on my form and stance but the kisser There's a pro shop not too far away but I havent had a chance to get it adjusted there yet except to get it checked out for string wear and stuff to make sure it's safe to use. I wanted to make sure I'm not doing something wrong before I go there and makea fool of myself!

If the bow was set up properly for the former owner then it is probably not set up correctly for you.

I would take the kisser off but thats just me.

Ifyou can get some pics of you at full draw and post them that way we have a visual of whats going on and then we can give you better advice.

The best way to get figure draw length for someone with little experience is to stand with your back against a wall. Extend both arms out to the side at shoulder height. Measure the distance from finger tip to finger tip. Divide this by 2.5. This called the wingspan method.

If you are of fairly normal stature then your wingspan will close to the same as your height. This comes to 74". If divided by 2.5 your should get about 29.5 to 29.75". That's a ballpark figure.

There is a lot to figuring optimum draw length and quite detailed, which I won't get into here because it won't do you any good at this point. That comes later.

For now do the wingspan thing. Something else you can do is have someone take some digital photos of you at full draw aiming at a target shoulder height, so the bow is level. You might even be able to do this in a mirror. Standing erect, not leaning back, bow arm fairly straight but not locked, the nock of your arrow should be vertically directly below your eye.

Here again, this is only a starting place, but is very close. Don't use the kisser button or peep or whatever as is. It was set up for the previous owner and may not be right for you. Once you get the bow the right drawlength for you then you can adjust these things to fit you.

Try this and then get back here and let us know what's going on. Let's do it one stage at a time.

Barry

i used the wingspan method when originally trying to determine my draw length. It came out to 29 inches. I have since gone to a 28 inch draw. I'm more comfortable at that length and alot more consistent

go to a bow shop and use a draw check bow.That's pretty much the only accurate way to get your true draw length.

Thanks for the info guys, helps me get a start here. Sounds like this is a typical thing for a newbie to have to get the draw length setup right. The owner at the shop told me I should spend some time just shooting around to get a feel for the sport then stop by later for adjustments. I didnt know what he meant at the time and I'm picking up stuff as I go. Finished reading a book called Archery Fundamentals so I would understand all the lingo and know what the parts are called and all that so when I say I'm a newbie I'm a really bright green n00b here! I've done some rifle shooting and lots of paintball so I understand the jist of how the wind affects the shot, range, drop, etc. Just didnt know anything about a bow, arrows, or any of that junk.

I'll stop by his shop in the next couple of days to see if he has a draw check bow, I'm sure he has something to get me setup. I really liked using the kisser so I think I'll have it adjusted as well then head back to the range! Thanks for the feedback

A draw check bow is ONLY useful if you have an established form, and if that form is GOOD form. Other than that, the DC bow can be VERY misleading.

The Wingspan method is actually the best way to get close.

LOL, I've seen guys with wingspans around 70", shove the bow arm out as far as possible, then draw back far enough to hook the string over their ear and then claim, "yep, 32" drawlength!".

I hear ya! I was noticing a pinching behind my right shoulder blade when shooting over 30 arrows a day. I tried going to a 28 inch draw from 29 and the pinch is gone. People don't realize that too much length and too much poundage can really hurt them. Everyone wants to be Superman and later on down the road wonders why they can't shoot anymore.

Doh! Well maybe I should leave it alone for a while longer then. I'm working on learning the open stance and trying to keep the whole bone on bone thing going on. I had my bow turned down, it was shooting at 60# from the previous owner but I read it's easier to work on your form and learn to shoot with less poundage so it's at 50# now (the lowest it would safely go). My wife has a 30# bow (we're learning together) and it's way too light of a pull, plus it's draw is even worse for me, it's only around 25" or so, I can't even get it up to my face with my bow arm held out.

Did the wingspan check and I'm 73" so by that I should be around a 29" pull, I'll have to check what the bow is set to before I head down there. I'll still stop by the shop sometime soon and show him what I'm doing to get his opinion on what I should be doing next if anything different than what I'm already working on. Plus any adjustments he thinks are right, maybe the draw length is fine but the kisser should be moved.