I got my first bow, an old High Country Sniper... Traded a friend an old iPaq for it. I took the sights off it, and tied on a string loop for the release, and shot it probally 60-70 times. I am learning to shoot it with out sights, a friend of mine that is a very good hunter swears that is the way to go the way he hunts(Mostly drives.) I hunt with him a lot (pretty much every weekend from September to February. Just starting to deer hunt)

Any of you guys on here shoot without sights?

 

I assume what your using is a compound bow, and if that is the case I would never think of not using sighting pins and if I weren't so cheap, a scope. However, that being said I also shoot a recurve that you would never put sights on. A recurve or longbow shoot much steadier and are way more forgiving than a compound is, is the reasoning behind this. If you want to make hunting a challenge tie an arm behind your back or something. When it comes to shooting at live targets take all advantages to make it a one shot one kill scenario.

 

Yeah, it's a compound. I decided to try it without the sights, because at the end of the season he was mad because it was the worst season he has ever had with his bow. Which developed into a conversation about his setup. And he brought three home with it. He has brought home over 60 deer with a compound bow, string loop, and release. He actually got several of those before he started using the release, just shooting a tab.

He tried it as a comprimose between the simplicity of a recurve and compactness and letoff of a compound. He swears it is the only way to hunt.

He does a lot of drives, and hunts mainly in brush. His average kill is within 12 yards.

 

That is a good point...

 

Well, ya got me there. With deer on the fly at 12 yards I think I would ditch the sights to.

 

I know he's crazy, otherwise he wouldn't be my friend.

Just trying to make sure his setup isn't completely crazy. Even if it is, it still works

 

If this is the type of hunting your planning on I would suggest at least trying a recurve though. Long bows are designed for distance shooting and the recurves are more for snap shooting. Most people find out they are alot more fun overall to shoot. Much smoother than the compound and pound for pound hit just as hard as compounds at close range. Not to mention cheaper to buy and use.

 

Recurve bow, totally instinctive shooting. I do alot of roving to develop the eye hand coord. needed for this type of shooting. Alot like throwing a ball accurately. Nothing over 40 yds ever, and that is a stretch.
P.S. I'm left eye dominate, and right handed. Makes this all the more tricky.

 

I already wanted a recurve, now thanks to yall, I REALLY want one. This site is expensive for me... I just added something else to my list.

 

My dad always used a recurve and never believed in sights. He taught me how to shoot with a recurve as well. Now, though, I have a compound with fiber optic sights. I hate chasing deer. I am also trying to arrow a coyote and I want precise shot placement.

 

I shoot recurve as well as compound. The recurves are conventional, one of the compounds has pins, one is conventional.

Taken deer with all three types. I do like the pins better for the type of shooting I do now.

Used to hunt squirrels with a bow. That was fun! Used handmade ceder arrows with .380 brass for ends. Pretty cheap fun.

Ed

 

To me, a compound doesn't feel right without sights. If you can hit accureately in hte range your hunting without sites, go for it.

 

I shoot a compound with a string loop, release, kisser button, peep sight, 3 sight pins and a stabilizer. Shoots like a rifle, you can stack arrows out to 40 yards pretty easily. Takes some of the guess work out. With a big buck at close range under the tree, I'd rather stack the odds in my favor every way I can.

 

My Dad taught me to shoot without sites. He wanted me to learn to shoot first. then when I got good he put sights on for me. and i got better. For field practice I use pins up to 60yards but for hunting I have one pin set at about 22yards which I can use from 10-30 yards with only 1" in elevation difference.
My bow shoots very flat. It's a non production Oneda screeming eagle- My Dad was a beta tester for them before it was released- it's a compound recurve with no let off.

Good luck with whaqt ever you choose,
Michael

 

I shoot longbows and recurves without any aiming devices. Started with compounds years ago and just progressed or digressed depending on who you talk to...but I luv the challenge of getting within 20 yds on a deer or hog and 10 yds with a turkey out of a blind.

i got a buddy that hunts with a Matthews with no sights...and he is deadly out to about 40 yds.....

Go with what gets your rocks off and you are confident in.......good luck