Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Jesse on August 23, 2009, 06:37:50 pm
-
When shooting years ago with my fg longbow I used to hold as long as needed and had good accuracy. Never thought about it. Then when I started making my own I heard it was bad for the bow so I started releasing right when I reached anchor. I struggled with accuracy for a couple years using the quick release method and I just switched back to holding for as long as I need. Its usually about 2 to 3 seconds at full draw sometimes more. My accuracy got way way better and I haven't noticed any ill effects on the bow. Even measured to see if it took any set and so far so good. What are your thoughts on this? Is it really hurting the bow to hold full draw for up to 5 seconds?
-
I hold for a second or 2, and that is to make sure I am anchored properly and I am on target. I used to snap shoot, but my accuracy suffered.
-
just long enough to make sure it feels good to me. i am on target most of the time before i get to full draw, i put alot into looking at the spot i wana hit. to each is on, i dont think it hurts to hold a little long, if its gona break geter done that way i can make another. just my 2 cents.
-
I agree with you woodstick
-
If I understand things properly, the wood is viscoelastic. That means your arrow speed starts to drop as you hold longer at full draw. I always thought that was the main reason for not holding overlong. On the flip side varying your hold time significantly will cause variations in arrow speed. The take home is consistency. My hold time is (I think) 2-3 seconds. Ron
-
I'm the opposite. The longer I hold, the worse my accuracy gets. Most of my best shooting comes when I aim as I'm drawing and the arrow is gone as soon as my fingers touch my anchor.
-
I'm finding better accuracy with no hold time. My accuracy is worse if I am. The best accuracy for me comes with staring down my spot as I draw and just letting it fly. I think the hardest part is keeping my attention on that single spot during the draw consistently. That's what practice is for, I guess.
-
I hold my FG bows for at least 2-3 seconds after I anchor. I also shoot them about 2-3 times better too. Huh ???
-
I normally release as soon as my index finger hits the corner of my mouth. If I find myself short drawing I will purposely hold for a second or maybe two but that is only temporary until I can control my draw length.
I believe Ron has it right. The longer you hold the less zip your bow will have.
Jesse, aren't you shooting boo backed ipe bows. Both of those materials excel in their strengths. A selfbow would suffer more than the boo/ipe lam bow just the boo/ipe would suffer more than a glass lam bow. The main thing IMO is accuracy. If you can make a clean shot with a 3 second hold, go for it. That's how you should be shooting.
-
I hold mine as long as I need to. The type of hunting you do has a lot to do with shooting style. I am always on the ground and I like to draw before the animal is in the shooting lane to decrease the chances of being spotted when I move. This may require holding for quite some time. I practice the way I hunt. I have yet to see any damage to the bow.
-
I hold just long enough to make SURE my anchor is consistent. Probably no more than a second or two. The more I run it through the grey matter, the worse it gets.
-
Touch and go. ;)
Pappy
-
I got into the habit of snap shooting with an inconsistent anchor point. So lately I've been consciously holding full draw for a second or so then releasing.
-
no hold - touch my mouth with my knuckle and FIRE
-
What's the difference between me and a constipated Owl?
I shoot but can't hit....
Del
-
bout two secconds to make sure im on target. sometimes less.
-
I hold as long as it takes. I'm usually close when I shoot and sometimes hold at a full draw till the animal drops it's head down or looks away.
-
I don't hold at all. I shoot quickly. Jawge
-
I try to make the draw and release a smooth fluid motion. Releasing just as I hit full draw. If I find myself releasing to early, I will draw slower and that usually helps me to stay more consistant.
However as Justin and a few others stated, hunting can sometimes require you to hold for the shot. But with wood bows, holding at full draw for more then a couple seconds is not a good idea.
-
yeah I usually hold for 1-2 seconds lately and it seems to have helped my accuracy a little. Del that was pretty famn dunny about the owl. :)
-
I hold for a second or two. Saxton Pope wrote that a hold of longer than five seconds will cause an extra six inches of drop at 60 yards. So that would be about 3" of drop at 30 yards. Either way, not enough for most current hunters to worry, so I don't sweat it :).
-
What's the difference between me and a constipated Owl?
I shoot but can't hit....
Del
Took me a second :D
Pat yeah I am shooting a boo backed bow but up until recently I was treating them all the same. I noticed that a lot of the pro tournament shooters hold the draw for a bit and use some type of repeatable aiming method. For me it takes too long to get the shot lined up right to let go right at anchor. I shot instinctively and took deer that way but for me conscious aiming is much more consistent. I think what hurt my shooting was that in the back of my mind I was always worried about holding too long so I would let go before I was confident in the shot. Sometimes I can be confident right when I hit anchor but if not I just hold till it looks right to me. I was just curious about damage to the bow. Arrow speed is not a factor with the bows I normally shoot.
-
I agree with the "too much processing time spoils the accuracy" idea. I do best if I home in on the target visually and let the rest happen. Practice makes perfect!
Tom
-
Maybe a second or less after reaching anchor.
-
There are to ways of looking at this, if you are an instinctive shooter you will generally take less time releasing but if you aim properly you will take longer. The most important thing to rember is you form, your form should always be correct and your anchor point be in the same spot with no head movement. Any deviation of form or anchor point will change where your arrows land.
Just my oppinion.
Robb
-
I agree with that Robb. I believe form is the key to consistent shooting. I just started paying attention to it and it makes a big difference. Maybe not as much on a real short shot but on a real long shot it will show if your form is good or not. Elevation might be off a little at long range but the left right should be right on.
-
I don't know how long. I never think bout it. I draw and anchor, while lookin at the kill spot. When my brain tells me I'm on target, I release.
-
I always draw and shoot, no hold time. If I hold it my accuracy gets worse.