Archery Tips for Beginners – Old and Young Using an Anchor Sighting Device

If I was teaching a young person to shoot a bow, I would consider the age of the person and their ability to draw and hold a compound bow. If very young and using a traditional style bow I would teach them to shoot instinctively, not using a peep sight or front sight but simply aiming the arrow at the target. If you want your youngster to stay with archery you should keep it entertaining – adding balloons to the target gives them instant gratification and makes shooting fun which is most important. You want them to get passed any frustration they may experience at the start of the learning curve. Safety is always a good thing to discuss. Arrows can be sharp and even with low poundage bows can do damage.

If the person is older and just starting to shoot a Compound Bow I would have them shoot using a front sight only. Once they get consistent groups on target, which means they have established good shooting form, add an anchoring sighting device and line it up to that same eye position/anchor point. Now, you have a precise method to shoot accurately while using the anchor point you chose and come too naturally.

It should be noted that traditional thinking about ones shooting accuracy is that it can only be obtained by repeating the shot time and time again until you establish perfect form. The good news is, with the aid of an anchoring sighting device you will repeat whatever form you sight in with and you learn to repeat the same form time and again because the device will only line up when using the form you sighted-in with, you can also tweak your form to your personal shooting style.

Establishing an anchor point by whatever means has one main purpose – and that is to position the eye the same every time so you can line up the front sight to the target accurately. The truth is; if you can position the eye the same every time and don’t torque the bow handle and release the arrow without moving a thing you will hit the target… regardless of form. So choosing a shooting form should be based on comfort and not dictated by the position of a peep sight which may not be comfortable or offer you the best shooting position. In addition, peep sights limit your vision, especially in low light conditions which commonly lead to missed opportunities in the field.

Shooting without a peep sight on the bow string makes your arrow fly faster, opens your field of view and makes shooting much more enjoyable.