For me anyway.

I have always fought target panic. However, I've always been able to compensate and shoot reasonably well.

This year, however, I declared war. So far, nothing had worked. I finally broke down and bought a clicker. While setting this up I unintentionally made the best move of my shooting career; I set the clicker up a half inch longer than my normal draw.

Now, when I come to full-draw and anchor (at the corner of my mouth, index finger) I am forced to use back tension to attain the extra half-inch. From doing this, I now know I was never actually engaging the muscles of my back.

I've been shooting 200-300 arrows a week since May and after only 25 arrows my back was burning. In fact, I woke up the next morning stiff and sore. I've never done that in the past.

The best part, though, is that I am shooting unbelievably well. This little clicker will be a permanent fixture. Period.

Dusty a clicker has worked well for me, I went the other way, I shorten my draw by a 1/4", I have been in a slump in my 3-D shooting for over two years, went to the clicker and found out it was my bow arm, and over drawing.  

I'm not allowed to use a clicker during tourneys but think it's a great training aid, once you get that feeling ingrained it's quite easy to repeat without a clicker.

If you can use it all the time, even better.


Yesterday I spent a few hours with a level 4 Fita coach (think 5 is the highest)to tidy up a few form flaws, hitting nose with 3 under anchor moving head very slightly as I settle into anchor, he said I had great alignment, back tension and follow through. He wore me out as he had me coming to full draw and holding at anchor for 15-20sec and repeating all through the training session, the bow is only 48# but I feel it today.    

It worked the same for me, now I dont need it.I am glad to hear your shooting better, it sure is fun.

Best $ I have spent in archery.

As quickly as it worked to improve my shooting, I assumed it had to have an equal effect on others.

I'm not a tournament shooter, but I do like to shoot some competitive 3D. I've won 15 or so this year and I know I was not shooting this well.

I use one about 25% of the time. Just to make sure full draw is achieved and I'm pulling through on my release. Kind of funny when you get tired and it keeps clicking at full draw cause you are collapsing, pulling, collapsing pulling etc..

I really think anyone who tries one will become a better shot. I can't think it could ever hurt.
May be a little awkward at first but they work.

After about 20 arrows the first time I used one I thought the clicker string had stretched because I couldnt get it to click.

QuoteOriginally posted by Ravenhood:
After about 20 arrows the first time I used one I thought the clicker string had stretched because I couldnt get it to click.

Hahahahaha...I did the exact same thing. After those first 25 or so I turned to my buddy and said, "This damn thing HAD to have stretched."

I quit shooting traditional in 1993 because of target panic.I bought a longbow in 2005 and put a clicker on it .What a difference it has made in my shooting. In 2008 i shot a 3 pt. blacktail deer and in may 2010 i shot 6ft. cinnamon black bear.

What clicker are you folks using and where is a good place to get one? I'm new to traditional archery and the only clicker I have seen was on an olympic bow. It clicked when the arrow point was drawn completely through it.

3 rivers archery

Thanks Ravenhood.

A good friend of mine was suffering from an extreme case of the "yips". He lost 5 arrows in his backyard while shooting at a large block target less than 10 yards away.

Following my advice, he placed a clicker on his bow and then about a week later was able to keep all his arrows in the target at 20 yards. After some further practice he took to the woods and scored on his first deer with a recurve.

Guys,
   What procedure do you use to set up the clicker? I'm consider trying one so any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Grouse

A double anchor will also assure back tension.

Dusty,

Your experience mirrors mine. To me, a clicker literally made the difference between giving up traditional archery or staying with it. And yes, a clicker can be quite a monster to pull through at first. Trust me, it gets a lot easier in time.

Keep this one going...
I shoot with one too.  I overdraw to anchor,click,  then settle back in and push/pull through again til release.  Not sure it is the proper way, but it works. I try different stuff from time to time with it.  I feel like I should never click when getting to anchor. May set it a smudge long and draw on through it.

Still have a tough time on animals.    I can't seem to come through after I hit anchor and shoot anyway.  I seem to lock up and do t know how to fix that.  I will do the same shooting targets some.  Have I got a major problem or is there something I can do here?

I just ordered one to help with maintaining back tension while trying to build shooting endurance.  I ran through almost all the threads here on clickers several days ago and y'all have saved lots of trial and error.  Install with velcro, ditch the chain in lieu of nylon cord (which I'll pre-stretch the heck out of so I don't wonder if the string has stretched by the time I hit 40 or 50 shots....lol), and I'll moleskin the thing to quiet it.  Just wanted to say thanks for all the great tips.

Clickers rock period. Their simple and prevent TP from ever occuring in the first place, resulting in a pleasureful controlled shooting experence. Not to mention they promote proper form stop creeping and collapsing for the most part(shooter must do his) I think if people gave them more time to work their shooting would soar.