How much cant?
01-02-2003, 03:41 PM
#1
Fork Horn
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Cibolo, TX
Posts: 205
How much cant?
How far do most of you guys/gals cant your bow. I'm finding that the more I cant my bow, the farther left my shots miss. I used to shoot with about a 15 degree cant and be right on. Now to stay accurate I'm canting my bow no more that 5-10 degrees. What would cause this change to be necessary?
I'm not really complaining, it's actually more comfortable with the slight cant. I guess I'm just wondering if this is just the evolution of my particular form or am I doing something wrong?
As always thanks for all the help.
Dave
I'm not really complaining, it's actually more comfortable with the slight cant. I guess I'm just wondering if this is just the evolution of my particular form or am I doing something wrong?
As always thanks for all the help.
Dave
01-02-2003, 08:56 PM
#3
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Mississippi USA
Posts: 15,296
RE: How much cant?
For me, canting your head at approximately the same angle as you cant your bow works--if I have a tight shot at a tourney that requires a weird angle, it helps keep me lined up.
Chad
Long Bows Rule!
Chad
Long Bows Rule!
01-02-2003, 10:15 PM
#4
Typical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: California
Posts: 600
RE: How much cant?
I cant my bow to about 1:00. Sometimes more, sometimes less. It just depends on the circumstances of the shot. LBR is right, when you cant the bow, your head should be canted at the same angle. It helps to keep everything in line and the arrow under the eye.
As to a change in accuracy, you could be doing something different in the mechanics of the shot. Something like gripping the bow differently will change point of impact, because gripping too tightly can cause torque in the bow and one bow I shot would twist in my hand if I didn't grip it well. Other things, like a change in your draw length, a slightly different anchor, a slightly different release and so on can all affect where the arrow will hit. As you found out, changing the cant of the bow also affects where an arrow will impact. Which can cause a problem in hunting situations where canting the bow more or less than you normally do is required to make the shot and you havn't practiced it.
I found that as I matured both in body (getting old) and length of time shooting, that my style changed. Sometimes for the good and sometimes not. They weren't big changes, but changes non the less and when my shooting suffers, I reevaluate my form and make the necessary changes to bring my accuracy back to a somewhat consistent level.
Shooting a stick w/string is a lifelong endeavor. The longer we shoot, the more we learn and the lessons just seem to keep on coming. No one, not even the greats of the sport have all the answers, so don't kick yourself too hard. The longer you shoot that bow of yours, the better friends you will become and the more you will experiment with it to learn just exactly what will happen if you do this or do that. The important thing is that you have a ton of fun with it. Otherwise, it's just another job.
Make em sharp and shoot em straight, or leave em home.
As to a change in accuracy, you could be doing something different in the mechanics of the shot. Something like gripping the bow differently will change point of impact, because gripping too tightly can cause torque in the bow and one bow I shot would twist in my hand if I didn't grip it well. Other things, like a change in your draw length, a slightly different anchor, a slightly different release and so on can all affect where the arrow will hit. As you found out, changing the cant of the bow also affects where an arrow will impact. Which can cause a problem in hunting situations where canting the bow more or less than you normally do is required to make the shot and you havn't practiced it.
I found that as I matured both in body (getting old) and length of time shooting, that my style changed. Sometimes for the good and sometimes not. They weren't big changes, but changes non the less and when my shooting suffers, I reevaluate my form and make the necessary changes to bring my accuracy back to a somewhat consistent level.
Shooting a stick w/string is a lifelong endeavor. The longer we shoot, the more we learn and the lessons just seem to keep on coming. No one, not even the greats of the sport have all the answers, so don't kick yourself too hard. The longer you shoot that bow of yours, the better friends you will become and the more you will experiment with it to learn just exactly what will happen if you do this or do that. The important thing is that you have a ton of fun with it. Otherwise, it's just another job.
Make em sharp and shoot em straight, or leave em home.
01-02-2003, 10:55 PM
#5
Typical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: In a Tarpon Boat
Posts: 846
RE: How much cant?
dathein,
I try not to cant at all.
Try as much as possible to hold my recurves exactly like my compounds, straight up and down.
Besides, how do you know if you're canting at exactly the same degree each time ?
It can vary somewhat, especially if you shoot several different bows with different grips and different poundages.
I just feel you will be more accurate in the long run by shooting as straight up and down as possible.
But I'm not die-hard traditional like these other guys on this forum. So, what do I know, lol.
I still shoot Compounds most of the time for hunting and competition and rely on a bubble level to keep everything straight and lined up.
Sag.
Edited by - Sagittarius on 01/02/2003 23:58:03
I try not to cant at all.
Try as much as possible to hold my recurves exactly like my compounds, straight up and down.
Besides, how do you know if you're canting at exactly the same degree each time ?
It can vary somewhat, especially if you shoot several different bows with different grips and different poundages.
I just feel you will be more accurate in the long run by shooting as straight up and down as possible.
But I'm not die-hard traditional like these other guys on this forum. So, what do I know, lol.
I still shoot Compounds most of the time for hunting and competition and rely on a bubble level to keep everything straight and lined up.
Sag.
Edited by - Sagittarius on 01/02/2003 23:58:03
01-03-2003, 06:41 AM
#6
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Mt.Pleasant Pa USA
Posts: 54
RE: How much cant?
For my personal shooting, I have to disagree with Sagittarius. By canting your bow you open up your sight window more. I find when holding my bow vertical my upper limb slightly blocks my target. I don't aim or gap shoot so I don't want anything blocking my "spot".
Also for me anyway, canting makes me shoot to the right, not left. So if I switch from a recurve to one of my selfbows (which tend to shoot a little left due to not having any cut out at all) it helps keep me on target. I practice a lot and don't even think if I am canting the bow the same as the last time. It's automatic for me.
I try not to get caught up in what's right and wrong when it comes to shooting. Find a style that works for you and have a blast.
Also for me anyway, canting makes me shoot to the right, not left. So if I switch from a recurve to one of my selfbows (which tend to shoot a little left due to not having any cut out at all) it helps keep me on target. I practice a lot and don't even think if I am canting the bow the same as the last time. It's automatic for me.
I try not to get caught up in what's right and wrong when it comes to shooting. Find a style that works for you and have a blast.
01-03-2003, 06:42 AM
#7
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 9,175
RE: How much cant?
I generally cant around 45 degrees for most of my shooting, even with my barebow compounds. But I can also shoot the bow at 12:00 or laid over to 3:00 and still hit what I'm aiming at. Tilt your head the same angle as the bow is the best advice possible. But as you get closer to 3:00, you're going to have to start moving that anchor. My usual anchor is at the corner of my mouth over a specific tooth. At 3:00, I anchor right at the point of my cheekbone, immediately under my eye.
You need to be able to shoot the bow in a all kinds of positions and odd angles because you never know exactly what position you're going to be in when Ol' Mossyhorn gives you a shot. Tip: when Mother Nature calls, don't leave your bow leaning against the tree.<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>
You need to be able to shoot the bow in a all kinds of positions and odd angles because you never know exactly what position you're going to be in when Ol' Mossyhorn gives you a shot. Tip: when Mother Nature calls, don't leave your bow leaning against the tree.<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>
01-03-2003, 07:35 AM
#8
Spike
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: St. Albans VT
Posts: 55
RE: How much cant?
Most of the time I cant hit what I am shooting at! <img src=icon_smile_sad.gif border=0 align=middle>
I started out shooting my bow staight up and down. Now I cant, don't know how much it all depends on the shot. By canting your bow it creates a different sight window. I would think for guys who shoot instinctively changing your sight window wouldn't effect your shot. But for me who aims, gaps, or barrel shoots (or all the above) it effects my shooting. I believe that YOUR method of shooting is some style of aiming. And because you shoot left the more you cant your bow just means you have to change or adjust your aiming method.
4feathers (joe vt)
I started out shooting my bow staight up and down. Now I cant, don't know how much it all depends on the shot. By canting your bow it creates a different sight window. I would think for guys who shoot instinctively changing your sight window wouldn't effect your shot. But for me who aims, gaps, or barrel shoots (or all the above) it effects my shooting. I believe that YOUR method of shooting is some style of aiming. And because you shoot left the more you cant your bow just means you have to change or adjust your aiming method.
4feathers (joe vt)
01-03-2003, 04:20 PM
#10
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Mississippi USA
Posts: 15,296
RE: How much cant?
Almost forgot to mention this--if you use an elevated rest, the degree of cant will be affected a whole lot more than if you are shooting off the shelf. Even more if the shelf does not sit right on top of your hand.
Chad
Long Bows Rule!
Chad
Long Bows Rule!