Am I Just a Wuss?

[MikeD]

I've changed where I grip the bow slightly and moved the nocking point a bit higher. I don't seem to be hitting my hand with the fletches anymore (though I have got my wuss glove on).

And I've found the secret of how to get the arrows in the gold. Wait until the beginners finish for the evening and are watching you. My best dozen of the evening with 2 tens, 4 9's, 4 in the red and two just in the blue (Portsmouth face at 20 yards)

I'm already noticing that shooting the sythian left handed is helping my stability when shooting compound right handed.

[steve58]

Originally Posted by Quadratus

I'm not quite sure myself why length of fletching affects hand clearance. I presume it is because the arrow is at a different point in its flexing round the bow. What I am sure of is with my 60lb Grozer Mongolian, shot off my thumb, 5" fletchings are fine 7" are not.

I too have read that Sino-Mongolian set-ups work best with long low fletchings and have tried all sorts of combinations including the traditional Mongolian formula of about 12" long (in practice, the longest full length feathers I could get my hands on) and the thickness of the shaft high. My conclusion was that there was no particular advantage, and I now usually use conventional 4 or 5" jobs.

All I am trying to do is share my personal experience. If it works for you, fine, if not, that's fine too, because now you know.

Good shooting y'all....

Thanks Quadratus, that's a good theory and may have saved me some work and the cost of a new set!

[Stakeholderman]

Just to add my pennyworth. I recently bought a scythian type bow and made the same mistake of having the knocking point too low. Raised it 1/4" and all is well. Also invested in a protector glove and haven't had a problem since. QED

[Macbow]

Originally Posted by MikeD

...I also got a Byron Ferguson DVD. Become The Arrow, which nasty pictures of bear hunting aside has some great instructional material for 'instinctive' aiming for barebow shooting.

He recommends concentrating on the place you want the arrow to land and being aware of a reference point below to place the arrow point on. I've been aiming the arrow point at the reference point, but I'll try this other way tomorrow.

Mike - Byron Ferguson uses Howard Hill's Split Vision system which is basically a modified gap & stack aiming method and is not "instinctive". It involves referencing the arrow point in relation to the spot while focussing on the spot. For this system to work you must not shift focus back and forth between the target and the arrow tip, just look at the target and be aware of the arrow tip in your peripheral vision.
I have seen you shoot and you are very good so I don't know if you would ultimately be satisfied with the rather vague expectations of instinctive aiming. You may gain more from the excellent Masters of the Barebow Vols 1 & 2 instructional DVDs where tried and tested barebow techniques are clearly explained and demonstrated by some of the world's top competitive archers and hunters. Of particular interest is IFAA World Longbow Champion Larry Yien's gap at bow section and Rod Jenkins's precision gap at target demonstration.
You may not enjoy the few hunting shots on the DVDs but you would appreciate the accuracy.