Archers have migrated to needing bow attached sight systems. These allow the shooters to aim more accurately. They also use a trigger/release to launch an arrow. Their goal is to shoot more accurately and potentially at longer ranges.
First, archers need to become better hunters and get closer to their targets. Shooting further is not the best choice. Longer shots mean more reaction time for the critter to react. The arrow also slows down and can hit things you do not see. A slower or deflected shaft will lose energy and may not penetrate or pass through. An archery hunt is supposed to be more intimate than long range shooting. Better hunters get closer!
I have never tagged a big game critter at ranges longer than 20 yards. My practice skills have helped me shoot beyond 100 yards accurately but why? Nothing is more exciting that shooting close. I use the analogy, “Do you want to have sex, or make love?” Making love is the best and most exciting way to tag a critter. Your arrow is also at its most lethal range.
Practiced bowman are very good sharpshooters when using sights. They also need to use a range finder to create a shooting plan. Marking ranges of trees, rocks, and landmarks will help them know what pin on their site to use. What if the battery is dead in the range finder? Can you hit a target when you are actually hunting and not target shooting. I have seen many great skeet and trap shooters miss every pheasant because they get too excited.
Things happen fast when bow hunting. The critter can often be on top of you in a moment. You may not have time to range them, hook on your release, aim and sight your arrow, and release. You will also be incredibly excited.
Fred Bear and the best archers I know rely on their built-in sights. Hand eye coordination works well for archers and shooters. This built in sight system help pitchers, quarterbacks, sling shots, atlatls, spearmen, and any thrown object hit their targets. Where you look and point is where the arrow, bullet, shot pattern, ball, or object will go. Fred also uses his fingers to feel and control the bowstring allowing for perfect control.
You can go sightless with a compound bow. This allows you to keep arrow speed but without the multiple steps performed prior to launch. It takes time to shoot using accessories. First you need to range the target. Now load the shaft, attach the trigger release, aim at the target, choose the correct pin, wait, hold, and shoot. Hopefully you do not flinch, watch the critter move, make the wrong measurements, and blow the shot. Many things can go wrong while you are aiming your shot.
Hand-eye coordination is your built in site. Let your dominant eye and brain do the work. With practice, you will be able to judge distances and shoot accurately and faster, letting your brain and eyes do the work. If you point your index finger, on the bow, at the target, that’s where the shaft will go.No matter what you use to aim, practice makes perfect. Since compound bows tend to be stronger, practice more often but only shoot a dozen shafts at a time. Set your range up to shoot a single shaft at 10 yards, then 20, etc. Once you are at longer ranges, start shooting at a closer range with each consecutive shot. With time, you will get the brain and muscle memory needed to accurately make precision shots.
