Shooting Technique

[sep0667]

Does anyone here shoot with both eyes open?

I was watching bow madness the other night and they always have a small segment on the show where some guy gives some shooting tips. He suggested trying to shoot with both eyes open. I have never tried this before or even thought about, expect when I use to shoot a recurve when I was little. But, trying to shoot my compound with both eyes open had never even entered my mind.

I was shooting this evening and gave it a try and I am really stunned/excited how much easier it seemed. I only shot maybe 10 arrows or so, but it seemed like a world of difference. It was a lot easier to find where I wanted to hit, settle the pin, and follow through. I didn't even really think about the release of the arrow, it just came second nature. And as it was getting dark/low light it was so much easier to hone in on the target. It really seems like a light bulb just went off and seems as though I may be changing how I shoot.

Anyone here shoot with both eyes open? Pros/cons?

 

[chipterp]

Yes read about it and taught myself to do it. Works better for me at least

 

[Liv4Rut]

I always thought everyone shot with both eyes open. That is how everyone I know does it. I couldnt imagine closing an eye to shoot. I think you will be pleased!!

 

[flugge]

Always have shot both eyes open...tried to close an eye and just felt like I couldn't see...

 

[Booner]

I understand it's the proper technique not only for a bow but for a firearm as well but I'm so use to shooting with an eye closed I can't break the habit. Tried couple years back and I found when there were multiple deer in the field I caught my other eye wandering it felt like. The pins would become blurry and the object (deer) in this case I was aiming at would become one giant blur.

 

[CurtisWalker]

Yep, I shoot with both eyes open

 

[LYON]

Thought about it but have never tried it. Maybe I'll have to give it a whirl sometime. Makes sense, it just seems it would be hard to center a pin in the peep.

 

[AIRASSAULT]

I always shoot with both eyes open.. It also helps you become more aware of your surroundings, such as an even bigger deer coming in right behind the one you're about to shoot. I have more depth perception also when I keep both eyes open.

 

[Tim Hull]

I can't do it. I shoot right handed and am right handed but I am left eye dominant. I should shoot left handed but can't.

 

[6x6]

I can't do it. I shoot right handed and am right handed but I am left eye dominant. I should shoot left handed but can't.

That's how I did it for the first 15 years, but it was not as hard as I thought it would be, switching to a left handed bow and both eyes open. Within a few weeks was shooting way better.

 

[StickersNKickers]

Pretty sure I close one eye, but haven't really thought about it. I'll have to try both open the next time I shoot and see how it goes!

 

[mplane72]

I made the switch this past summer. I still close my left I for a second to make sure peep and sight housing are lined up but then both eyes open. I have found it's much easier to focus on the target. Amazing how much more precise my shooting has got.

 

[Tim Hull]

Might have to try that 6x6.

 

[cjgarrett]

I have always shot with both eyes open. I can not even IMAGINE standing on a tree stand at last light trying to draw back my bow and shoot a deer with only one eye open.

 

[biggest buck]

I made the switch this past summer. I still close my left I for a second to make sure peep and sight housing are lined up but then both eyes open. I have found it's much easier to focus on the target. Amazing how much more precise my shooting has got.

This is exactly what I do! I used to shoot with one eye closed until I was at Scheels in Omaha years ago buying my Bowtech Tribute. The guy setting it up for me was fantastic and told me to try it.

Have ever since!

 

[Highmark]

Shoot everything with both open. Bow, shotgun, rifle/shotgun w/ scope. Feels odd closing an eye like i'm missing something.

 

[bowmaker]

I have always shot any bow with both eyes open and with a stick bow I anchor just below my right eye and kind of sight down the arrow. I also shoot a shotgun with both eyes open, but I just can't seem to do that with a scope or open sights on a rifle or slug gun. I can shoot a red dot type sight with both open and find it a lot like using the bead on a shotgun while shooting at birds.

 

[AIRASSAULT]

I can't do it. I shoot right handed and am right handed but I am left eye dominant. I should shoot left handed but can't.

Im left eye dominant and shoot right handed with both eyes open.. as long as youre using a peep, it doesnt matter because your right eye will still line up your pin and target using the peep aperature as its guide.. it would be awfully tough to line your sights up through your peep with your left eye without being in an extremely awkward position. :way: give 'er a try!

 

[AZHunter]

I picked up my bow for the first time post-surgery last night and thought of this thread. As I drew back for the first time and aimed, I opened both eyes and it freaked me out after decades of shooting my scoped rifles with my left eye closed. Considering I'm just trying to get back in the swing of shooting a bow again pain-free, I'll wait until my off season next spring to try and work my way into having both eyes open. Sounds like its worth a try!

 

[StickersNKickers]

Tried it last night...did better than I thought I would. Felt a little weird and had to close one eye to make sure the peep was lined up with the sight a couple times, but I could see getting used to it with practice.