Having trouble getting fully dialed in with your compound bow?
Every bowhunter out there will tell you their skills didn't come without the steep price of a sharp learning curve.
However, by avoiding some of the most common archery mistakes, you can get the hang of shooting your new bow before hunting season rolls around this year.
Here are a few things you can focus on as you start learning.
You could be gripping your hand too tightly around the bow.
Having a firm grip can impact your aiming as well as your release and follow-through. Some sharpshooters recommend keeping an open palm in order to refrain from making this mistake. If you struggle with relaxing that hand, give that method a try. Just remember to tighten your wrist strap enough to catch your bow after the release.
You could be yanking the trigger on your release, or punching it too hard if it's a thumb release.
Just like a rifle, not squeezing slow enough on the release trigger means you know exactly when that arrow will fly. That could cause reactions in your body, resulting in poor form or aim.
You could be holding your bow at an angle, resulting in torque.
As a beginner archer just starting to figure out proper form, I was overwhelmed by all of the details involved, so I tended to ignore that little level on my sight. As I prepared for my first hunt, I struggled with consistency, only to find I was torquing my bow to one side.
You could be skipping tune-ups.
Maybe you were fully dialed in, went out on a few hunting excursions, and now something seems slightly off. Think of all the terrain your bow comes in contact with during the season. Tune-ups are important, even during the season if your bow has a particularly rough day in the woods.
You could be changing too much.
Slight little adjustments to keep your bow as it was when you got dialed can help. Just remember not to make any big adjustments or swap any gear until after the season. Even seemingly small changes like a new release or different peep sight can have a big impact on your shooting.
Achieving high accuracy and precision with a bow is difficult because there are many small components all have to come together. If you're just starting out, use these as reminders to help your form as you progress. If you're a longtime shooter, it's always a good idea to check your bow and yourself before the hunt.
NEXT: 5 TIPS FOR ENCOURAGING FEMALE HUNTERS AND ENGAGING THEM IN THE OUTDOORS
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