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Main Boards => The Shooters FORM Board => Topic started by: LinemanARK on August 24, 2010, 08:49:00 PM

Title: both eyes or one
Post by: LinemanARK on August 24, 2010, 08:49:00 PM
I am a right handed shooter but the left eye dom. so do I have to shoot with both eyes open to shoot better or can I learn to shoot with one eye  and it be alright.Like Ive said before I have only been shooting a recurve for 4 days know any help would be great also how do you tune your bow, tiller arrow spine and making the arrow hit where you aim at 10 yrds. thanks Mike
Title: Re: both eyes or one
Post by: LinemanARK on August 24, 2010, 10:11:00 PM
ttt
Title: Re: both eyes or one
Post by: dragon rider on August 24, 2010, 11:01:00 PM
You're going to find it  easier to be accurate if you close your left eye at the point that you immerse into aiming. Get your range with both open so you have your best depth perception and then close the left one as you come to full draw.  You can learn to shoot with both eyes open, but it takes longer because that way you have to deal with not only range and elevation but also the angle created by the fact that your arrow is not under your dominant eye.
Title: Re: both eyes or one
Post by: Mitch-In-NJ on August 24, 2010, 11:09:00 PM
I know I have posted in a few threads about this.  I am lefty but was right eyed.  I trained myself to be left eyed.

It can be done, but maybe not everyone can do it.

That doesn't answer your question, but it's something to consider.  You may also want to consider shooting lefty.

Back to your question - you can shoot with one eye but you lose depth perception which is pretty important in my book.

So, I would either retrain your brain to be right eyed or learn to shoot lefty before closing one eye.

The 2nd part of your question is one that can't be answered in a single post.  You'll have to do some searching and ask some specific questions, but here's a short summary.

There are lots of ways to tune a bow.  From brace height adjustments to point weight to arrow spine, etc.  In short, arrow spine can be changed by changing the length of the arrow or the weight up front.  Shorter arrows are stiffer, more weight up front makes them weaker.  Brace height changes the power stroke of the bow, effectively changing the energy imparted to the arrow.  Lower the brace height and you increase power.  That makes the arrow appear weaker.  Raise the brace height and the arrow appears stiffer.

There are other factors to consider but those are what I consider the basics.

Start with arrows that are close to the spine for your bow and then tinker.  No magic, just hard work.

And don't expect to be able to tune perfectly.  My experience has been that as my form gets better I need to keep retuning and as I retune I get closer to the sweet spot.

As for form, Terry Green insists that alignement is the most important factor.  I agree.  It makes other issues go away, especially release issues.  Read some of the threads at the top and then come back with specific questions.  There are lots of folks here with, I would estimate, thousands of years combined experience that are more than happy to help.

I hope that gets you started.
Title: Re: both eyes or one
Post by: machomanandysavage on August 25, 2010, 12:44:00 AM
I am left eye dominant, but have always shot right handed. I shoot with both eyes open though and it works for me. It took a lot of practice getting to where I can "hit where I'm looking," but it can be done.
Title: Re: both eyes or one
Post by: Whump on August 25, 2010, 04:35:00 AM
Whump Sez: you can close the left eye just as stated above when you are reaching full draw. You can also change eye dominance. I worked in a dusty dirty environment for 30 yrs and people got trash in their eyes quite often. There were times when a doctor visit was required to remove the object and the person had a patch over his eye for quite some time. I have seen eye dominance change in these people if the dominant eye was the one that was covered.You could ask your doctor about covering the eye for a few hours each day--like when you practice archery.I would get some medical advice before doing it for long periods but eye dominance can be changed.  Hunt safe.
Title: Re: both eyes or one
Post by: Ricker on August 25, 2010, 01:09:00 PM
Ya don't drive down the road with one eye closed or throw a ball that way either....
Binocular vision in my opinion makes you a better shooter, unless you use the point of the arrow to aim with or a sight pin to line up.
Instinctive shooting is just easier to look with both eyes and let your muscles motor skills do the rest.  More natural feeling and better accuracy.  Practice practice practice and you will be successful.
Title: Re: both eyes or one
Post by: reddogge on August 25, 2010, 04:31:00 PM
Binocular vision is great until you run up against shooting RH opposite your dominant left eye.  Then the dominant eye takes over and you'll have to aim way to the right to hit the target.  My friend has the same problem.  It can be frustrating.

My advice is to either switch hands or block the left eye.
Title: Re: both eyes or one
Post by: LinemanARK on August 25, 2010, 10:17:00 PM
so I can shoot with one eye and it will be fine I have a 1200 dollor bow and I would rather shoot this 50 dollor bows but dont tell the wife . please help, so how do I get the tiller fixed on this old bows and what about brace height also what kind of gold tip arrows can I get started with thats what kind I use on my other bows what grain practice point do I need going to bow shop friday morning please help me so I can pick up all my stuff
Title: Re: both eyes or one
Post by: on August 25, 2010, 10:27:00 PM
I shoot both left and right. When i am starting to split the difference between eyes and get left to right misses, I take a bunch of shots squinting the eye not over the arrow.  With split vision your dominant eye will tend to make the arrow a little more distinct than the other, if you squint the off arrow eye just a little it will clear up the vision of the eye over the arrow so you can tell if it is lined up or not.  I would suggest to do this only for part of the last 8 inches of draw and have them both wide open at anchor.
Title: Re: both eyes or one
Post by: Whump on August 25, 2010, 11:23:00 PM
Whump Sez; First --get on de-cafe, or don't drink 6 cans of Red bull before posting.  My screen was smoking reading your last post. We will most def. need some more info before answering that last one, and try and divide it up into 2 or 3 smaller posts instead of one brain bumper.    :scared:    Hunt safe
Title: Re: both eyes or one
Post by: Benny Nganabbarru on August 26, 2010, 04:05:00 AM
I shut one eye these days for normal ranges. I shut my left one, and I shoot right-handed-and-eyed. It has really helped me. I gap, too. For the longer distances (non-hunting, really), I have to use both eyes.
Title: Re: both eyes or one
Post by: on August 26, 2010, 11:33:00 AM
Sound to me like you need to have someone go through your equipment with you in person.  A couple of good how to videos and books would help you a lot as well.
Title: Re: both eyes or one
Post by: LinemanARK on August 26, 2010, 08:24:00 PM
well here is my equipment bow 1 is AMF wing archery hawk58" string set at 40#s  bow 2 is a Darton Ranger super flight string 58"s set at 40 to 45#s both at 28"s now what else do ya need to know from me I got a new 3 finger glove so thats what Ill be using.
Title: Re: both eyes or one
Post by: Whump on August 27, 2010, 05:00:00 AM
Whump Sez: Thanks  for the seeds bro--I understand exactly where your coming from now! Get you some 125gn field points, some 3555 goldtips, set that brace height at 6.5" as you go by the broadheads grab some 125gn zwickey eskimos, rub that 3 finger glove on the first road kill you go buy cause that will keep you from chewing on it. Screw all that together, step back 10yds from the target, shut that left eye, draw and let er fly. Let us know how it goes, I will be getting shock treatment the next few daze so good luck and good hunting.   :scared:    :banghead:    Hunt safe.
Title: Re: both eyes or one
Post by: LinemanARK on August 27, 2010, 08:28:00 AM
ttt
Title: Re: both eyes or one
Post by: SEMO_HUNTER on August 27, 2010, 11:06:00 AM
If you have only been shooting for 4 days, you aren't even close to seeing the target yet. It took me years for my "Instinctive Eye" to come into full focus, and even now I still fling some off the kill zone on my 3D buck, but that's an anchor problem and not a focus problem....long story.

Get your gear like Whump said, and pound the living crap out of that target. Shoot until it hurts, then put it away. Get it out the next day and pound it some more. Eventually your eyes will come into sync with each other and finally reach an agreement as to which one focuses on the target (Big Picture or the whole Deer) and which one focuses on the spot you want to hit (a hair or heart).

Here's a tip that really helped me tremendously. Don't start out trying to shoot spots, if your target has them on it....cover it up with something like a garbage bag so you can't see the spots. Now concentrate on focusing your shots on the center Mass of the Big Picture. When your groups tighten up, then take the bag off and pick a spot.   ;)  

Pick an anchor point that feels natural and don't fight it. Keep your anchor point consistent no matter where it is as long as you use the same one every single time. I can tell when I miss my anchor point immediately, arrows fly messed up and twirl around in an elliptical fashion and I usually miss 6-8" right or left.

Look at the clock on this website that has the picture of the bow shooter on it using perfect form and copy that as close as you possibly can and you will eventually get it.

You will get frustrated, you will get mad, you will want to quit and sell your equipment off, but don't allow yourself to get discouraged. It will all come together when you least expect it, and it's almost like stepping out of a dark room and into the sunlight......all will suddenly be revealed.   :cool:  

One last thing, don't rush into grabbing a whole cart full of junk all at once, because your needs may change as you go along and you will end up here in the classified ads section selling half of it off for a fraction of what you paid for it. You will determine what you need the more you get into it, and ask questions around here..... These Guys Know Their Stuff!!  

So pay close attention to what they are telling you.

Basically all you need right now is your bow, arrows with practice points, your shooting glove, and something to shoot at. Save the rest for later.

I'm no expert by any means, but I've made enough mistakes that I know what  "Does Not Work" from my own mistakes.
The hardest part is figuring out "What Does Work" and these guys can help you take a few years off the learning curve because they have already been there....Tried that, Several Times!   :deadhorse:  
Don't forget, we have all been there at some point.

Good Luck!
~SEMO~
Title: Re: both eyes or one
Post by: on August 28, 2010, 01:04:00 PM
My wife has killed several deer with a 40 Darton at her 26 inch draw.  I would advise to start shooting split finger, 1 over 2 under the arrow.  I would start with the nock on the string 3/8" above square. Your anchor on your face should be somewhere around the corner of your mouth with either your index or middle finger.  The exact fit is what would be most comfortable for you. Your bow arm shoulder should stay in line with the target and your drawing arm should be straight in line with the arrow when you at full draw.  If you you copy the form diagram you cannot go wrong.  The correct draw length will be what ever it will be, depending on your own size. When you establish a consistent draw length, it will easier to get the correct spine if you want to get carbons.  I would  suggest finding what your draw length is first, then get some cedar arrows because the bows you listed will handle quite a wide variety of arrow spines in the 40 to 50 pound spine range good enough for now. If you find that you are pulling these bows to 29 or more inches a 50 to 55 spine wood arrow made to your length will be better.  I am 5' 10" I draw 27" with a recurve and 26&1/4" with a longbow. I have seen some shooters my size draw to 28" with good form and I have seen many shooters that do not draw as long as they think they do. It is important to be honest with yourself on what that exact draw length is.
Title: Re: both eyes or one
Post by: LinemanARK on August 29, 2010, 10:30:00 AM
thanks Paven and SEMO  that is alot of info to take in I have reid ur post two or three times thanks for everything if u come up with something else please post it for me thanks Mike
Title: Re: both eyes or one
Post by: 59Alaskan on August 29, 2010, 10:46:00 AM
If you search this topic in Pow Wow and Shooters Forum you'll find a bunch of information on this and even more opinions.

I shoot with both open, but do have issues with eye dominance changing through the draw some times.  I have to be careful.

My wife is RH with left eye dominance.  She shoots with one eye open and is pretty good for the amount of time she puts in to it.  

All I can recommend is to do what works for you, but be open minded to trying things.
Title: Re: both eyes or one
Post by: LinemanARK on August 29, 2010, 03:42:00 PM
ttt were do I go to get the brace heigth for this 2 older bows and tiller want to get the bows done right before I get the arrows done
Title: Re: both eyes or one
Post by: SEMO_HUNTER on August 29, 2010, 04:18:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by rezeen6.5:
ttt were do I go to get the brace heigth for this 2 older bows and tiller want to get the bows done right before I get the arrows done
For that you would need a Archery Pro Shop with someone on duty that knows something about Traditional Archery equipment. It's all too common nowadays for some kid or couple of....to be fletching arrows, changing strings, and running the register.......but they don't know squat about bows, much less anything Traditional.
Check your phone book or google your area on the internet, see what's near you and make some phone calls. Explain to them what you need and see if they can help. If they can't then move on to the next one.
Good Luck
Title: Re: both eyes or one
Post by: LinemanARK on August 29, 2010, 07:43:00 PM
Hey Semo I live in North East AR. about 50 miles from Poplar Bluff so any help up that way would be great I dont mind to drive to a pro shop but I want to talk to someone who can help me out I just shot a 28 1/2  5575 no fletching with a 125 grain tip it has a very bad right curve in the target when it hits the target at the point of impact the nock end is about 5 inches to the right I also shot a easton alum. 2213 28" with both a 100 125 gn. points and it hits pretty much  were I aim what do ya think now and I also checked the brace heigth it was 10" from the inside of the grip to the string it cant be right
Title: Re: both eyes or one
Post by: SEMO_HUNTER on August 29, 2010, 09:54:00 PM
Well, I can tell you right now that those 2 shafts are way too heavy spined for your bow. I think you said you were shooting a 45lb. bow?

If so, I just found my spine for my 48lb. recurve and it's at .540 with a cedar shaft, which I don't know what that translates into aluminum or carbon as far as shaft size or shaft numbers, but just for referrence....a 2117 Easton has a spine of .400

If I were you I would look for something in the .500 to .550-.560 spine range and start there. That would come a whole lot closer for matching your bow weight, but still doesn't guarantee proper arrow flight without tuning.

Also, a 10" brace height sounds like it's way off. It should be closer to 7" depending on where you measure it. I measure mine from the back of the riser nearest the string, to the center of the string.
You really need to find a pro shop. Let me do some googling and I'll let you know what I come up with for your area.
In the mean time, unstring that bow and let it relax, don't shoot it anymore with that string until we find you a pro shop, I think you must have the wrong string on it?

*EDIT*
That didn't take to long. Click on the link below for archery dealers, archery shops in Arkansas and pick the ones closest to your location. Some of these have website addresses, and some just have phone numbers, but keep trying different ones until somebody says they can help you with your problems.
Hope this helps,
~SEMO~
link >>--->  http://www.sureloc.com/dealer/arkansas.html
Title: Re: both eyes or one
Post by: WRV on August 30, 2010, 10:44:00 AM
Both open....Randy
Title: Re: both eyes or one
Post by: LinemanARK on August 30, 2010, 09:10:00 PM
man thanks for all the help  I was also thinking that 10 "s was way to much I measured from the grip the deepest part where your hand holds the bow to the string were the nocks are. I have also come up with another ? glove or tab
Title: Re: both eyes or one
Post by: SEMO_HUNTER on August 30, 2010, 11:16:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by rezeen6.5:
man thanks for all the help  I was also thinking that 10 "s was way to much I measured from the grip the deepest part where your hand holds the bow to the string were the nocks are. I have also come up with another ? glove or tab
If your measuring deep into the grip area where the crotch of your hand between finger and thumb meet the bow.....to the string, then you will get a longer reading. Measure from the back of the riser/handle to the string and see what you get. It still might be too long.
Title: Re: both eyes or one
Post by: wabearhunter on August 30, 2010, 11:43:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by WRV:
Both open....Randy
x2

both open is the way to go
Title: Re: both eyes or one
Post by: scriv on August 31, 2010, 07:16:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by rezeen6.5:
I am a right handed shooter but the left eye dom. so do I have to shoot with both eyes open to shoot better or can I learn to shoot with one eye  and it be alright.Like Ive said before I have only been shooting a recurve for 4 days know any help would be great also how do you tune your bow, tiller arrow spine and making the arrow hit where you aim at 10 yrds. thanks Mike
I'm assuming you want to be the best you can be.  You have been shooting for four days?  If you are left eye dominant then get a left handed bow, and open both eyes.  I start quite a few archers out every year and the first thing we do is determine eye dominance then shoot from that side.  Saves us from going back later to re-learn.  dave
Title: Re: both eyes or one
Post by: Bobaru on September 08, 2010, 02:02:00 PM
If you shoot with glasses, you can put a small dot, about 3/8" diameter, in the center of your dominant eye.  That will force dominance to the weak eye without affecting your depth perception.  

Skeet and Trap shooters do this all the time.  I think you can buy the dots made for that purpose, but am not sure.

If it were me, I'd shoot left handed.
Title: Re: both eyes or one
Post by: fujimo on September 09, 2010, 01:35:00 AM
i only have vision in one eye- lucky my shooting eye. i had to learn new distance , and depth judging techniques. but its do-able.
im happy with my shooting , instinctive out to 20 and then gap out to 30. its amazing what the brain will learn. if i shoot truly instinctivly, i do ok, but if i second geuss my brain for a nano second- she's not so good. i dont try and judge any distance until it gets over about 25.
i also snap shoot, if i pause at full draw for a second, then i am incline to second geuss my brain.
i focus on my anchor. to make sure i dont short draw.
good luck
wayne
Title: Re: both eyes or one
Post by: Jon Swanson on September 09, 2010, 01:26:00 PM
I have always shot with two eyes open.  Be it a shotgun or a bow.  I am right handed and right eye dominant.  So it isn't a big deal.  I am not sighting down the arrow.....cause if I did I might choose one eye.
Title: Re: both eyes or one
Post by: jim phenes on September 10, 2010, 04:08:00 AM
i shoot both eyes open with gun and bow it took me a while but it can be done!