So does anyone shoot Recurve without sights?

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chrispmoore
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Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2008 12:12 pm Post subject: So does anyone shoot Recurve without sights?

I got a fairly standard sight with my bow - a cartel midi sight. But after a few goes I learned about instinctive shooting and found that I preferred not using a sight but instead using both eyes and making subconscious adjustments. Now I know competition people always use sights and stabilisers and all that extra stuff because if its allowed, you may as well use anything you can to get the gold. But in terms of becoming naturally skilled rather than only being half good/half as good as the stuff you use, does anyone out there tend to use a barebow? How long would you say it takes to get fairly proficient without a sight? I'd just like to get an idea of whether I suck or if I'm just not allowing myself enough time to improve. I'm currently about 50% in the outer gold circle at 20yds. But that usually takes a quiver to get warmed up as I dont get to practice often. I've been at it since october but only had a total of about 10-12hrs shooting on account of winter conditions (dark at 4pm and freezing cold etc) and weekend commitments.

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Bushy
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Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2008 12:55 pm Post subject:

Hi chris yes there are some of us out there who shoot a recurve without sights depending on what organistational body you are under depends a little on what the rules i.e NFAS, GNAS, EFAA etc. I personally shoot in the NFAS a style called Barebow which is a recurve without sights and am allowed a single stabiliser no longer than my draw length which is fairly easy having a 30 inch draw length. In answer to your question I have personally been shooting for appox 4 years without sights and find that shooting 3 fingers under not 1 above to below it can be easier but this is up to the archer although in GNAS I believe it is compulsory and it depends on so many factors really on how long it takes to get good but I would say that it takes time and can be very very stressful at times but the trick is to perservere and with time and practice over come _________________ "Rules is Rules - If we didnt have rules, where would we be? Thats right, France! And if we had too many rules where would we be? Germany!"

Club: Black Arrow, Forest Bowmen, Merlin Archery Club, University of Derby Archery Club
Bow: KG Kudos, Apex Limbs 51lb on fingers
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Dawn
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Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2008 1:37 pm Post subject:

Hi chrispmoore There are a few of us on here that shoot recurve without sights, and I am one of them. I have been shooting 20+ years and never used a sight I really enjoy shooting barebow instinctively, I dont practice too often and although I can win at local shoots I only usually manage 3rd or 4th in national competitions, if I put more practice in I know I could do better, having said that the ones that beat me are good shots I shoot NFAS field and there are some instinctive barebow archers that can come in with higher scores than some of the top archers that use sights, its all down to believing in your instinct, and being disiplined enough to stand and draw to your anchor point, then loose all in the same way every time. I see from your post you have been shooting nearly five minutes and want all your arrows to be in middle everytime it seems from what you have said that you are doing very well, I would say give it a bit of time, hopefully the weather will allow you to get a bit more practice, and try to repeat your shots exactly the same each time, you should find that your arrows will start to group well and thats really what its about Main thing is though enjoy it, and let us know how it going wont you _________________ aka Cherrie Secretary Black Arrow Field Archery Club

Club: Black Arrow FAC & Duvelle Bowmen
Bow: Marksman KG1 with nice blue riser
Sight: need glasses to read
Arrows: ACC
Accesories: stabiliser

Samick AFB with wood & feather arrows

LongJohn
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Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 11:22 pm Post subject:

Hallo Chris, i´m shooting without an sight for over 6 years, it´s an "thing" you don´t must have on an bow Try learning to be "not static" look were you want to shoot and shoot! You don´t must have the best equipment to hit the "gold". It´s also hard to learn shooting with an sight as without! BUT: if you have an sight there is no excuse why you don´t shooting in the middle!!!! Don´t give up! Long John

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AFB
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Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008 8:09 pm Post subject:

I shoot without a sight but then I shoot AFB lol. Raven shoots a recurve without sights though with a recurve with wooden arrows. This is called Hunting Tackle ( H/T) in NFAS. _________________ Be one with the bow

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bkupris
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Location: Oban, Argyll

Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008 9:13 pm Post subject:

I have been shooting field without a sight for the last year or so. AFB and recently recurve in GNAS "recurve traditional" bow style. Mind you I am not great at it.. This past October I bow hunted in the states w/o a sight for the first time and was successful so there may be hope for me yet! _________________ www.argyllfieldarchers.org.uk

Club: Argyll Field Archers-Oban and Lorn Archers
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fred
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Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2008 6:27 am Post subject:

I have been shooting for 30yrs without sights.HT hunting tackle wooden arrrows fletched with feather split release.If you shoot GNAS I think you can use plactic fletching and three fingers under.I have found 3 finger under is a better release but not allowed in HT Style. Fred

Club: Die Hard Archers
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bkupris
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Location: Oban, Argyll

Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2008 9:39 am Post subject:

IIRC GNAS field barebow allows 3 under and plastic fletch/allys/carbons. GNAS recurve traditional is woodies/feathers and 3 under or med loose but no face or string walking. _________________ www.argyllfieldarchers.org.uk

Club: Argyll Field Archers-Oban and Lorn Archers
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chrispmoore
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Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2008 12:26 pm Post subject:

So what competition type is a recurve bow with no sight, a fairly simple rest, no stabiliser, no additonal string things, ally arrows with plastic fletchings, and (preferably) two fingers below and one above the nock point?

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CaptainBeaky
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Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2008 12:33 pm Post subject:

Under NFAS I think that's Barebow. _________________ I will not be pushed, filed, stamped, indexed, briefed, debriefed, or numbered! My life is my own!

Club: Bridge Woods FAC
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chrispmoore
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Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2008 12:50 pm Post subject:

Seems to be (having googled your answer Cap) that Bowhunter is the same as Barebow, but with the two below one above finger style. And less funny about string colour too. Hunting tackle appears to be exactly the same as Bowhunter - but with wooden, feather fletched arrows. So I could shoot either Barebow or Bowhunter competitively.

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Dawn
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Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2008 3:25 pm Post subject:

NFAS styles are basically - Hunting tackle = recurve bow with or without arrow rest, wooden arrows with feather fletchings, Mediterranean loose (two fingers under arrow and one above) only. Barebow = recurve bow with or without arrow rest, one stailiser (not compulsory) no longer than your draw length, any arrows with any flechings, Mediterranean loose or three fingers under the arrow. Bow hunter = compound bow stabiliser as in barebow, any arrows and fletchings, Mediterranean loose only. Hope this makes it a bit clear There are 10 styles in the NFAS you can see details about all the NFAS shooting styles here www.nfas.net _________________ aka Cherrie Secretary Black Arrow Field Archery Club

Club: Black Arrow FAC & Duvelle Bowmen
Bow: Marksman KG1 with nice blue riser
Sight: need glasses to read
Arrows: ACC
Accesories: stabiliser

Samick AFB with wood & feather arrows

kirk
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Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008 12:10 am Post subject:

Hi Chris, The thing with traditional archery is keep it simple, try shooting off the shelf but use feathers. As for the target, get rid of the target style multicolour ring, and use something small. At 20 yards shoot at a 3" paper disk, but put a 1" spot in the middle with a marker pen, focus on the spot, before long you will be grouping in the 3" disk. As for shooting style it all gets a bit confusing, I shoot a takedown AFB with feather fletched ally arrows, split fingers so i would barebow, if i use woods i'd be shooting HT, all this only matters if you want a trophy. The only way to be a good instinctive shot is to practice practice practice. Keep it up the rewards are worth it. _________________ JUST SHOOT IT Owlethall Bowmen Secretary

Club: Owlethall Bowmen
Bow: Mathews Conqest 3...Hoyt GameMaster Hybrid...Kota TD AFB
Sight: Apex five pin
Arrows: Easton Maxum...SS XX78 2213 - Gamegetter 1816 - redline carbons
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Sam
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Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008 6:54 pm Post subject:

i have an afb so this doesnt really apply to me, but then again i am thinking of getting a cheap pony bow from merlin so it will do soon _________________ Boo

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sam wha recurve ( bare bow)

chrispmoore
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Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 8:54 am Post subject:

I'm not keen on feathers simply because I have no interest in fletching them myself or learning how to make arrows and have heard and seen that they have a tendency to come off more easily than plastic. Not sure why there arent plastic feathers out there (or are there).

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