Tendency to shoot low

[mobowhunter]

Hey guy's, I'm sure I'm not the only one that has this problem so maybe someone has some suggestions. I have a tendency to shoot low when shooting a targets. It's not the bow, it's me. I just can't seen to make myself bring the pin up to the center of what ever I'm shooting at. For example, shooting at standard 5 spot target, I tend to aim low on each spot. I know I am aiming low, but It's like my arm just won't move up that couple of inches to put the pin on the center of the dot. Weird? I don't want to move my sites to compensate because when I'm hunting I WANT to be able to put the pin on the exact spot on a deer. But it has caused some confidence problems because I know I have a tendency to aim low and when I get a shot at a deer it makes me wonder about my shot placement. I am picking my new bow up next week and want to try and start off not having tis problem. But really I have had it I think ever since I have been shooting a bow, 10 years or so? Any suggestions on how to cure this problem. And its not buck fever, I do it on targets as well as animals? Something in my head I guess?

[azslim]

I grip my bow snugly to aim, helps me muscle it up the little bit I need, then relax and open my hand before I shoot, may help you. Started doing it because I had the same problem. Just need to remember to open your grip before shooting so you don't torque it. Takes a little practice but soon becomes second nature.

[mobowhunter]

I will work on it from now till season opens. I try to remember not to close my hand around the grip. I will ask the guy at the pro shop for some tips too. May just be concentrating too much on holding the pin on the spot? I know that it is next to impossible to hold the pin steady on an exact spot, and a lot has to do with the release I think? Need to concentrate more on the release and not just the spot? I just want to be confident that where I put the pin is where the arrow is going to go. I have killed 5 deer over my bow hunting career, but I have lost a couple too. I know this happens to everyone, but it really works on your confidence. Just like everything else, I don't play golf very well because I don't play a lot, I need to shoot more and be confident in my ability and equipment.

[nkybuck]

Try aiming by moving at the hips instead lifting your arm. Your moving your whole upper body instead of just your arm. Also try taking a magic marker and draw a horizontal line on your target and shoot at the line.

[mobowhunter]

I will give that a try. It is so strange, I try to raise my arm, but it's like it is frozen or something? I will give the hip thing a try. I think once I get over the mental issue of it, and I know that is what it is, I will be ok. Just something that won't let that arm raise?

[azslim]

I also have my bow pointed where I intend on shooting, that way the only movement an animal sees is my arm going straight back on the draw. I am usually real close to where I intend to aim, only takes a little effort to get that inch or two necessary to be on target.

I see people struggling to draw their bows all the time. While it works fine on a course it is too much movement for hunting - at least here in Az it is. You should be able to just point, draw & shoot.

[mobowhunter]

I really don't have a problem drawing my bow, its just getting the pin to move up to the spot I want to shoot. But, that being said, I picked up my new bow Tuesday and where I was pulling 67#, we cut that back to 63#. And I noticed that the Mission, (Mathews) has such a smooth draw cycle. You don't get that break over like I did with my old bow. I am anxious to get started shooting. We have had snow on the ground the last month, kind of unusual for our part of Missouri, but starting tomorrow we are supposed to be in a big warming trend, 50's and 60's next week. So I can get out and start working on my form and getting used to my new bow.

[smj]

Hey mobowhunter - You figure it out yet? Personally, I love to shoot arrows... I love to watch'em fly... Some times, I drop my bow out of the way to watch - which tends to toss a low shot! Could be as simple a form issue as not holding the bow hand steady through the shot. I also have been known to pull the bow to the left, same reason, watch my shot. Guess what happens... Yep - I shoot left, usually a bit low as well. I have not yet figured out the mechanics, but if I press forward with my thumb on the bow hand while at full draw, I shoot right. I always tell myself don't drop the arm, and relax that stupid thumb! Good luck!