[Macbow]

Hi Steve. Heard lots of good things about the ragim bows - glad you're getting on well with yours. As far as canting goes it's not a must but it can be useful at times - all of my AFBs are cut near to centre so i don't need to cant in order to get my arrows to go where I'm looking. For target shooting my bow is always held vertical so I can be consistent with my gaps. I find this is important in field archery where the terrain varies so much I like to keep as many constants as possible. It can be difficult to judge your cant angle eg fan shots from the side of a hill can play havoc with your aim. We have one target where the angle of the trees down the shooting lane looks vertical but if you line up with the trees you are actually canting right which throws the arrows to the right. For purely instinctive shooting at moving targets or short guessed distances I find canting helps - as it brings the arrow between my eyes kind of like firing a shotgun. In those situations I also snap shoot. Bowhunters also say canting makes it easier to get a longbow into tight spaces like stands or to take awkward shots and it closes down your gaps and therefore point on distance. That's fine for 20 yard shots but personally I think it makes it harder for long range accuracy. If your arrows are spined and tuned right you shouldn't have to cant but if it helps or if it feels more natural then go for it. Remember to cant your head also and keep your release hand in line with the string. My main archery buddy cants his AFBs as it helps with his bow arm clearance but I have a more open stance so tend not to hit my arm. Trial and error but I would say if you already have good form don't mess with your usual shooting routine too much. Just tune the bow and arrows to shoot as closely as possible to your recurve. Just my tuppence worth.