How to Read Sights on a Compound Bow
Bow hunting is considered a skill by many hunters and viewed as an art form by archers. Shooting a bow of any type takes a great amount of practice and skill. These skills are usually mastered over time and trough training. The most important skill to learn when shooting a compound bow is how to read the sights in order to attain an accurate shot. Many sights are available for compound bows including fixed and fiberglass illuminated sights. Reading the sight is generally universal with all bow sights. You must have correct sight alignment in order for the arrow to hit its mark on the target or to take down that big buck by striking the kill-zone.
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Instructions
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Align the front sight in the center of the rear aperture (rear hole) if using circular sights. The front sight should slightly wave--due to the tension of your body as you draw the bow--in the rear aperture. Once the front sight is centered, focus on the target and release your arrow.
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Align the cross-hair reticle on the end of the arrow rest with the center of the target if using a compound bow cross-hair sight. Once the target center is aligned with the cross-hair center, release the arrow. The cross-hair is a thin line cross enclosed by a circle, with the center of the cross used as the aiming point.
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Hold the vertical line or dot--at the bottom at the arrow rest--in the center of the two vertical lines or dots on the top of the arrow rest sight. This dot or line sight takes practice. The target must be centered in the space between the two sights, while simultaneously centering the lines or dots. Once the bottom line or dot is centered between the two top lines or dots, and the target is in the center, release the arrow.
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Tips & Warnings
Practice holding your draw steady to ensure proper sight alignment. The less tension you have, the more accurate you will become.
Never aim an arrow at anything that you do not intend to shoot or kill.
References
- Photo Credit Men bow shooting. Amateur competition in the sanatorium image by Igor Zhorov from Fotolia.com
