3-under/split finger & field archery

[Holmes]

Greetings,

The rookie is shooting decent groups using 3-under right now and this will work fine for 3D shooting and hunting. However,...

I'd really like to get into field archery sometime down the road and I just don't see the 3-under technique being very effective for this. I'm shooting lightweight bows and anything beyond 30-35 yards is going to require elevated aiming pretty quick.

I started playing with split finger today and my groups are not nearly as tight but I can easily see the advantage at even 30 yards.

My thinking is I should make the change now while a rookie instead of later on when the 3-under is embedded in my style.

Your comments would be most appreciated.

-Holmes

[BLACK WOLF]

Holmes,

I agree...you need to decide exactly what you want to do in archery and it seems like you have.

My decision was to try and become the best all around archer I could become and that led me to a split finger release anchoring with my index finger in the corner of my mouth.

With that style my point on is about 90yrds. and I don't need to change anything to be accurate with aerial targets, trick shooting, 3D, NFAA 300 and Field rounds, etc. etc.

There are certain styles that are more suited for certain types of competitions such as String Walking for Field Rounds at marked yardages or 3 under and a very high anchor for NFAA 300 rounds set at 20yrds.

That's my 2 cents ;)

Ray ;)

[Desert Archer]

If you are willing to put up with some serious competition, you might give string walking a try. That is sort of the logical extension of your 3 fingers under starting point.

Most of the serious barebow recurve shooters in FITA Field are string walkers. Unfortunately, for NFAA field it will put you in the "Barebow" class with me (face walker) and all the no sights and finger release compounds. That's OK with me as the challange is good for me but you might not want to go that route.

As Black Wolf said, pick a style that lends itself to where you want to go with archery and stick with it. Good luck and good shooting.

Dave

[Lumis17]

Shooting field rounds well with 3-under is very possible. IMO the key is speed and using arrows that carry well over a long distance (ie, light, thin arrows with small fletch). The more speed you have the closer your gaps are to each other so you'll be able to extend your range while still keeping the closer shots manageable. You don't want to just trade off short range points for long range points. Past your point-on you should try using parts of your riser/hand as references instead of just aiming at the clouds. "See through" your riser and use your flipper or arrow shelf to aim with.

[Grey Ghost]

Hi Holmes,

Like has been said, most folks use split for those distances. But, since I get a better draw, release and have to use three under for medical reasons, let me try and describe a technique that might help you. By now you know how your bow shoots at 20 yards. Make sure you have a large backdrop, (6' X 6') and back up to 30 yards place a 3-4" circle about 2' down from the top of the taget. Shoot at it as if it were at 20 yards till you can get a group below the dot and see how far down it is located. For me its a foot. Do the same for 40 yards, etc, till you can establish how far over you need to hold at various distances. Then practice shooting from these distances and estimate where, say 2-1/2' above the circle is located and shoot at that spot in the air. Its accurate enough for targets for me. Wouldnt use it on an animal past 40 yds.

Trying this might solve your problem faster than changing to Split finger, but splitfinger sure has some other advantages if you can stand it.

gg

:goodvevil