Aim Then Sight

Although target archery and hunting are different they both require the skills of aiming and sighting. Let’s say that Aiming is the act of visually acquiring the intended target spot, and that Sighting is what you do when you move a reference de-vice like a sight pin, scope and/or a peep sight into your aiming line.

To do it right you should always begin aiming before sighting. Archers should learn in the beginning to visually acquire the center of the target as soon as they nock an arrow and get into position.

"A simple way to practice this target-focus is to throw darts."

Better Aiming Yields More Hunting Success
Learning some good aiming and sighting habits will make all of your archery better. You can increase scores in all of your target shooting with better discipline in aiming. Like wise, you can improve your success in hunting if you transfer your improved aiming skills to the hunting situation. Too many times while hunting we get all wrapped up in seeing the deer and finally getting our big chance and we forget the basics of aiming. First knowing what these basics are and then training yourself to use them are key to greater success.

"Do you aim when you get that bowhunting shot or do you just point your bow and shoot?"

Aiming And Sighting
Aiming begins when you visually connect with the target center. This visual acquisition sets your body in line with the target and once oriented to that center you should never give up visual contact with it. If you do, you risk reorienting your body to a different line and compromising body position and overall form. Make yourself a note here that you`re not just looking at the target in general, you`re looking at the small spot you intend to hit. You lock onto it and see nothing else in your primary vision.

Next, you must raise the bow into the pre-aim position. Here you will see your sighting device near the target center, probably just above it. Your primary focus is still and always on the middle spot. While maintaining visual focus on the target spot you then draw your bow. You should be able to draw and settle into full draw position without losing visual contact with the spot. If your bow`s draw weight is too heavy you may not be able to do this. If you lose visual contact with the middle for any reason you`ll need to make some changes, like lowering draw weight.

Once you reach your full draw position you must slide your sight device into your view of the target spot. Don`t look to the sight and then try to reacquire the spot, as this tends to realign your body away from your target line. Slide the sight into your established line of focus.

Now you`re aiming and sighting. You have both your body and your bow lined up as a unit and are totally focused on the small spot you desire to hit.

Finish the shot by doing what you do to execute the release of the bowstring. Hopefully what you do uses back tension and during this execution you never lose visual focus on your target. Aiming focus continues throughout the release and into your followthrough until the arrow hits the target.

"Aiming at the whole deer or animal is not an option as you must align your body toward a point and not just in the general direction of the animal."

Aiming And Bowhunting
Do you aim when you get that bowhunting shot or do you just point your bow and shoot? After reading the first part of this article you should be doing some real deep thinking right now. What do you do when shooting at game animals? Are you transferring your aiming and sighting skills to your hunting situation or not?

Here`s a recommended procedure. Practice it when you`re shooting your hunting bow before season and during season so you`ll be able to put your aiming skills to use when that big moment comes. With this aiming plan you`ll be more successful particularly if you`ve had no plan until this point.

Step 1. When your hunting luck finally gets good and you have that shot to make you must first determine the distance. This step comes first just like it does in 3-D archery. Use whatever method works for you or use a range finder as soon as you get into your hunting stand.

Step 2. Visually acquire the small spot you intend to hit. Just as you do with a target, focus on a small point and don`t relinquish that focus until the arrow has been released. Aiming at the whole deer or animal is not an option as you must align your body toward a point, not just in the general direction of the animal.

Step 3. Raise and draw your bow while maintaining visual contact with that tiny spot you want to hit. Your sight pin should be raised so it comes into you view just above your target spot.

Step 4. At your full draw position your sight pin should fall into your primary focus on the intended target spot on the animal. Even if the animal moves you must maintain visual contact with that target spot so you stay in line with it. It`s easy to lose focus here because lots of things are happening but, if you look away, too much time will be lost in reconnecting with your target spot. And, if you don`t take time to reconnect, you`ll miss the shot or make a bad hit.

Step 5. Do what you do to execute the release. Don`t change your release method now. If you think you will need to execute your release quickly then practice that quicker release but, don`t change your form and start punching the release. Just practice working through your form quickly.

Step 6. If you`ve done your homework, you`ll see the arrow hit the target. You`ll see it because you`ve been focused on that spot throughout the entire aim, sight, and release process.

"Keep your decision making simple at crunch time."

Practice. A simple way to practice this target-focus is to throw darts. Never look at the dart, only the target middle. Visually burn a hole in the middle dartboard ring. You can do the same when shooting basketball, focus on a spot on the back of the rim. Never look at the ball; always maintain visual focus on the back of the rim so you maintain body alignment.

Conclusion. Well, have you been aiming your hunting bow or just pointing it? Have you been picking that tiny spot or just "flock shooting" your game animals? With a better plan, as outlined here, you should be able to improve all of your archery by hitting what you`re aiming at.

Aim – Then Sight