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Post by dougedwards on Aug 4, 2010 17:39:08 GMT -5
Anyone shoot their bows with both eyes focused on the pin and the target? I can do it with a crossbow but with a vertical bow it is tough. I get a blur when I focus on the tiny pin after focusing on the target. Someone suggested that I squint my left eye right before I shoot and open it again at release. I tried that with disasterous results and gave up on the idea of shooting with both eyes open.
Today I decided to try something different. I came to full draw as always with only my right eye open and focusing on the target. Then right before I released I would open my left eye and watch the arrow travel to it's destination. At first the shots were drifting to the right but as I practiced things got better and I began to open the left eye sooner on each shot until I am almost able to keep both eyes focused on the target through the entire draw cycle.
I am not jumping for joy yet as I have much more testing to do with this process but it is encouraging to know that it can be done.
Doug
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Post by deadon on Aug 4, 2010 19:05:16 GMT -5
Anyone shoot their bows with both eyes focused on the pin and the target? I can do it with a crossbow but with a vertical bow it is tough. I get a blur when I focus on the tiny pin after focusing on the target. Someone suggested that I squint my left eye right before I shoot and open it again at release. I tried that with disasterous results and gave up on the idea of shooting with both eyes open. Today I decided to try something different. I came to full draw as always with only my right eye open and focusing on the target. Then right before I released I would open my left eye and watch the arrow travel to it's destination. At first the shots were drifting to the right but as I practiced things got better and I began to open the left eye sooner on each shot until I am almost able to keep both eyes focused on the target through the entire draw cycle. I am not jumping for joy yet as I have much more testing to do with this process but it is encouraging to know that it can be done. Doug Doug,after 20 years of trying,it is still hard for me with open sites pistol,rifle and even scopes. I can't imagine doing it with a vertical Bow  Rusty |
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Post by sagittarius on Aug 4, 2010 19:08:56 GMT -5
Doug, Another good topic; you're on a roll.  The greatest benefit for keeping both eyes open is greater depth of field for hunting. It's also an advantage for 3-D shooting but not so much for Vegas or 5-Spot target shooting. If you keep practicing using both eyes, it will become second nature to you, eventually, and you'll wonder why you didn't perfect it long ago. It was awkward for me too when I first tried it but it's the only way to go now.  Good luck and good shooting to you ! |
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Post by Harley on Aug 4, 2010 19:28:18 GMT -5
I'm glad to see this thread, also; I've always shot with both eyes open, but find I can't do it with my present setup. The only clue I have is that I no longer use a peep; maybe there was something about looking through that peep that helped focus my vision on the correct images (pin and target).
Now, with both eyes open I see double images of the pin AND the target; I could handle one or the other, but it's way too much eye strain to try to align the correct two of the four images.
Doug, you use the Anchor Sight, also; no peep. Do you have this same problem?
Does anybody have a solution for me? I'd really like to re-capture my depth perception as well as have better vision in low light.
Harley
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Post by dougedwards on Aug 4, 2010 20:32:56 GMT -5
I'm glad to see this thread, also; I've always shot with both eyes open, but find I can't do it with my present setup. The only clue I have is that I no longer use a peep; maybe there was something about looking through that peep that helped focus my vision on the correct images (pin and target). Now, with both eyes open I see double images of the pin AND the target; I could handle one or the other, but it's way too much eye strain to try to align the correct two of the four images. Doug, you use the Anchor Sight, also; no peep. Do you have this same problem? Does anybody have a solution for me? I'd really like to re-capture my depth perception as well as have better vision in low light. Harley Harley, I actually have never had a focus problem with the target but then when I take my eye from the target to the pin I am not sure what pin to use on my single pin HHA. There seems to be several of them there but now that I only open my left eye AFTER I have drawn and steadied my pin I know to shoot using the one of the right. Now looking to the Anchor Sight is a different story. When I look at it with both eyes I see the dot centered with my right eye and also I see the little circles that spread out around the cirlcle with my left eye. That is very confusing. I just get everything set to shoot while only using one eye and before I shoot open both eyes. I was shooting pretty good today using this method. As Paul says there is a great advantage to being able to focus with both eyes for depth perception and also light gathering. I no longer have to look through a little peep hole and now would like to use all the natural optics that is available to me. Seems my old peepers are fading out on me as I get older. Doug |
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Post by Harley on Aug 4, 2010 22:32:25 GMT -5
Thanks for the reply, Doug. I'm in the middle of a three-day off period, giving my shoulder a chance to calm down, but later this week I'll start trying to open my non-dominant eye AFTER setting up the shot. I know what I'll see: two pins, two pin hoods and two targets, but maybe I can concentrate on keeping that alignment.
Harley
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Post by killahog on Aug 13, 2010 4:52:06 GMT -5
I have to kept both eyes open If I squint my left eye my shot will impact to the left.
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Post by Harley on Aug 13, 2010 8:24:28 GMT -5
Killagog, I'm assuming you shoot right-handed; and I'm wondering if maybe your LEFT eye is your master eye.
Harley
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Post by Harley on Aug 13, 2010 8:26:38 GMT -5
Well, I've tried and tried, but can't keep both eyes open no matter how I set up the shot; I see two of everything and it's nothing but eye strain trying to determine what to focus on. Shooting with one eye closed is working, but of course the target is dimmer and not in stereo.
That's just the way it is.
Harley
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Post by tasaman on Aug 22, 2010 16:55:07 GMT -5
Both eyes open works for me when shooting stick bows and really I think I always shoot that way now that I think about it. As far as compound with pin and peep sights I have not. I think tomorrow morning I will try and see what happens. Hope nobody is watching.
Ed
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Post by smokeless77 on Aug 24, 2010 19:49:50 GMT -5
Thanks for the reply, Doug. I'm in the middle of a three-day off period, giving my shoulder a chance to calm down, but later this week I'll start trying to open my non-dominant eye AFTER setting up the shot. I know what I'll see: two pins, two pin hoods and two targets, but maybe I can concentrate on keeping that alignment. Harley I always shot Re-curves with two eyes open, and still do today using pins. Like sagittarius said it becomes second nature. Harley, That might work out pretty good when hunting. You can end up with two deer. ;D ;D ;D |
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Post by Harley on Aug 24, 2010 22:46:48 GMT -5
Smokeless77, I guess that proves there's a silver lining in every cloud.  BTW, my shoulder is still too inflamed to shoot, but I have had a brainstorm: Given that I've always shot with both eyes open, and had NO problems with double-vision, what makes this present set-up unworkable for me? The only thing new is the Anchor Sight which eliminates the peep. Now, with the peep eliminated I no longer have to hold my head in the old position that allowed me to look through the peep, right? I used to pull the string to the center of my nose; now, I turn my head sharply to the side. I think that's where the double-vision comes in, though I can't explain why. Stay tuned; as soon as I'm able, I'll test it out by turning my face more squarely to the target. Harley |
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Post by dougedwards on Aug 25, 2010 5:37:36 GMT -5
I am still practicing doing it and getting somewhat better at it but I surely doubt I will give it even a passing thought when the moment of truth presents itself.
Doug
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Post by smokeless77 on Aug 25, 2010 16:27:12 GMT -5
Harley
How do you like the anchor sight, I was kinda thinking about looking in to one.
John
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Post by ozark on Aug 25, 2010 16:45:17 GMT -5
I am not and never have been a bow hunter except crossbows. From rifle shooting I learned that it is impossible to focus the eye on two objects at different distances. We focused on the front sight and let the target be seen but out of focus. With a scope I focus on the crosshairs but because of magnification the target is less fuzzy. But I want the crosshairs to be distinct and clearly in focus. With a rifle or pistol it is a fault to switch focus from target to front sight or crosshairs. But someone more familiar with bows than I am must decide how best to handle the fact that it is impossible to focus on but one object.
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Post by Harley on Aug 25, 2010 17:53:12 GMT -5
First, Ozark is absolutely correct about focusing on the firearm front open sight; too many people try to focus on the rear notch, front sight and/or target. Can't be done.
John, Doug Edwards first introduced me to the Anchor Sight; coincidentally, about 30 minutes ago I was directing a friend to the Anchor Sight web site. I'm a believer: After mounting one for myself, I bought one for my son. Without the peep sight (and the surgical tubing), the bow is faster and quieter. The Anchor Sight quickly becomes instinctual, resulting in absolutely consistent form from shot to shot. After more than 55 years in archery, for the first time I'm completely confident at any reasonable distance, and have shot small paper plate-sized groups at 70 yards. It's the single best archery thing I ever did for myself. (Of course, your results may differ, depending on the quality of the rest of your equipment.)
Finally, I'm really excited right now: I just shot a dozen arrows at 30 yards, KEEPING BOTH EYES OPEN, and my target is no longer "ghosting". My theory worked out (Reply #12, above). All I did was change my stance from a balanced, toes-in-line stance to what I"ll call a modified oblique. That stance makes me twist my upper body (moving the string away from my chest) so I am facing the target more face-forward. What a relief!
Harley
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Post by smokeless77 on Aug 25, 2010 22:10:51 GMT -5
Harley
Do you have the plastic or the aluminum one.
John
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Post by Harley on Aug 25, 2010 22:14:38 GMT -5
I have the aluminum; I haven't seen the PVC model, but the guy at Anchor Sight said the aluminum one looked nicer. It is very finely made.
Harley
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Post by ozark on Aug 26, 2010 12:24:04 GMT -5
If you are shooting right handed and dominate eye is the right it not disturbing to leave bothe eyes open. If you shoot right handed and the left eye is dominate then you are going to encounter considerable difficulty and make little if any progress leaving both eyes open. Fighting against our natural makeup is usually frustrating and not successful. Try threading a needle with both eyes open. You will poke the thread close to the eye but to succeed you will need to close one eye.
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Post by dougedwards on Aug 27, 2010 0:42:38 GMT -5
What about with both eyes closed. How do you think that would work?
Doug
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Post by sw on Aug 27, 2010 21:18:55 GMT -5
I am left eye dominate and right handed and shoot right handed - wish I hadn't started that way. Here is something that works well with my recurve bow, and shotgun. I wear yellow tinted hunting glasses(prescription) and place a small dot of opaque scotch tape directly on the left lens where I am focused(with left eye of course) when I am sighting thru my recurve bow with my right eye. This forces my right eye to be dominate for the shot but only at that very angle. I retain my depth perception, etc.
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Post by Harley on Aug 27, 2010 21:37:54 GMT -5
Steve, that is a really elegant solution to mixed dominance.
I'm one of the few lucky ones that are left-handed, left-footed and left-eye dominant. My son is right-handed, but left eye dominant, so I taught him to shoot left handed. He can just barely pull 70# with that non-dominant arm, but all in all, it works out well.
Harley
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Post by russkull on Aug 29, 2010 3:38:48 GMT -5
Hello, all,
I am still offshore but have finally figured out how to logon out here. We are "down on weather" and had some time on my hands.
Eye dominance is always on my mind. I am right handed and left eye dominant. I shoot left handed. I am glad I was taught to shoot this way and not retrained to shoot as a righty. A yr. ago I was watching a Benelli sponsored shooting show. A celebrities daughter was left dominant but the shooting pros were training her to shoot right handed. They were taping the left lens of her shooting glasses while shooting sporting clays. Seemed to work. I have no idea why they would want to change her eye dominance. In my experience I have lost nothing shooting left handed. My reaction times are quick(coordination) and my sighting is natural.
The only limitation I have found is archery. My left side just is not as strong as the right. With practice I was quickly more than strong enough. If it weren't for a painful rotator cuff I would be completely satisfied with my stance and sighting. I will persue surgery this winter and hope that solves my rotator cuff issues.
I have become intersted in fast draw and western shooting. I am curious to see if I am coordinated enough to do this left handed. It would be fun to find out that I can do this ambidexterous.
Oh yeah, I aim and shoot my bow with both eyes open. I believe that was the point of this thread.
Russell
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Post by deadon on Aug 29, 2010 6:41:35 GMT -5
Hello, all, I am still offshore but have finally figured out how to logon out here. We are "down on weather" and had some time on my hands. Eye dominance is always on my mind. I am right handed and left eye dominant. I shoot left handed. I am glad I was taught to shoot this way and not retrained to shoot as a righty. A yr. ago I was watching a Benelli sponsored shooting show. A celebrities daughter was left dominant but the shooting pros were training her to shoot right handed. They were taping the left lens of her shooting glasses while shooting sporting clays. Seemed to work. I have no idea why they would want to change her eye dominance. In my experience I have lost nothing shooting left handed. My reaction times are quick(coordination) and my sighting is natural. The only limitation I have found is archery. My left side just is not as strong as the right. With practice I was quickly more than strong enough. If it weren't for a painful rotator cuff I would be completely satisfied with my stance and sighting. I will persue surgery this winter and hope that solves my rotator cuff issues. I have become intersted in fast draw and western shooting. I am curious to see if I am coordinated enough to do this left handed. It would be fun to find out that I can do this ambidexterous. Oh yeah, I aim and shoot my bow with both eyes open. I believe that was the point of this thread. Russell Good to hear from you Russ., Rusty |
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Post by Harley on Aug 29, 2010 14:06:07 GMT -5
Hey, Russell, good to see you posting, again. Your time stamp says you are up either really early or really late.
I just got back from hanging lock-on stands; because of all the recent rain the red oak acorns are already falling. I put one stand among them; we'll see on 9/ll (also your birthday). Hope you can hunt with me.
Harley
BTW, for anyone in the market for stands, Dick's Sporting Goods has the lowest prices I've ever seen anywhere. I bought a 16' climbing stick (three sections) for $34.95, and a lock-on stand for $34.95.
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Post by dougedwards on Aug 29, 2010 19:31:03 GMT -5
I think Harley brings a good point. I have wondered why my non dominant left eye is able to distort my sight picture so much when shooting a vertical bow but isn't so much a problem when shooting a crossbow with both eyes open. I do believe it has to do with position as I hold a vertical bow in a much different fashion than I would a crossbow or rifle. I hold my head at a more severe angle when shooting a compound and I believe that my left eye really has a closer and more clear view of things as my right eye attempts to look just to the left of the string and to the right of my nose to pick up the pin and target.
It is much too close to season now to start to change things for me but a different stance might be of some help with focus but might also have some affect on form and draw. Too late in the game to be messing around with that now.
Doug
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Post by smokeless77 on Aug 29, 2010 21:47:25 GMT -5
Thank's Harley
I had bought two of them stands last year
Both of them had a ratchet strap to hold them to the tree.
My brother bought one at the end of last season, and it came with a pull type strap.
What type of strap did yours come with.
John
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Post by Harley on Aug 29, 2010 22:28:13 GMT -5
Doug, the season starts here in just two weeks, but I'm still fooling around with stance. Yesterday, it seemed I had lost everything; today I look like a pro. I know it'll settle down if I keep at it.
John, my new stand has the large pull strap and a smaller strap with a capture buckle. Today, I was pleasantly surprised at how light the stand was to hoist in the tree and how tight that pull strap was when I folded out the bottom part.
Harley
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Post by Harley on Aug 29, 2010 22:32:38 GMT -5
Doug, I just had a thought: You said "a different stance might be of some help with focus but might also have some affect on form and draw." Think about it: That's what's so great about the Anchor Sight; no matter what your form or how you arrive at full draw, if the dot is in the circle you're good to go. Harley |
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Post by rjhans53 on Sept 6, 2010 19:52:13 GMT -5
I shoot both eyes open no mater what I'm shooting, have for 20 years or more. You don't focus on the pin you focus on the target, the peep and the pin line up to the target but you don't focus on them per say you just look past them. I haven't tried the left eye closed for years but if memory serves me it did change point of impact by an inch or 2.
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Rusty
