Sighting in a bow takes practice, but once you get the hang of it, it will help you be much more accurate with your shots. Modern sighting systems on bows have a metal pin mounted just above the bow's handle on the portion known as the riser. You can adjust the pin left and right and up and down, to accommodate your specific shooting tendencies and the range at which you are shooting. Compound bows sights often have up to five pins, each corresponding to a specific range.
Step 1
Set the target at a fixed distance, using a range finder or measuring tape. A good starting distance is 15 yards.
Step 2
Set the sight pin to your best-guess location on the bow. This does not have to be accurate at this stage. You just need a consistent location from which to start.
Step 3
Knock an arrow, draw, and site the pin on the center of the target. Release the arrow, and note where it strikes the target. Shoot at least three more arrows until you can land all your arrows in a group no larger than your fist. Do not move the site to compensate for the arrows being off-target. You need to establish a consistent shooting pattern before you can make any adjustments to the pin.
Step 4
Adjust the pin by moving it toward the arrows on the target. Place the bow as if you were shooting, with the pin centered on the target. If the group of arrows you shot is to the left and below the bulls-eye, adjust the pin to the left and down.
Step 5
Test the adjustment by shooting another group of arrows with the new setting. If necessary, make additional adjustments and test shots until the pin is sighted in on the target.
Tips and Warnings
- Consistency is the key to accurate sighting. Make sure you are anchoring the string at the location on the corner of your mouth every time you shoot and that you are using arrows of the same spine. If you cannot get your arrows in a tight group, you are shooting inconsistently and will not be able to accurately sight in the bow.
- While concentrating on sighting, it can be easy to forget you are handling a weapon. Make certain the area behind and in front of the target is clear of any traffic or obstacles.
References
- bowhuntinginfo.com: Sighting in Your Bow
- "Bow and Arrow: The Comprehensive Guide to Equipment, Technique, and Competition"; Larry Wise; 1992
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