Sighting systems are popular on many modern recurve and compound bows for both target and hunting uses. The sighting system is similar to that used by a gun, with a front sight and a rear sight that are aligned with one another and then sighted on the target to indicate where the shot will go. With bows, however, the front sight is an adjustable pin, or multiple pins, that slide up and down and left and right on the bow. The rear sight is actually the archer's eye.
Step 1
Place a target 15 yards down range. Use a range finder or tape measure to ensure an accurate distance. Use a standard bulls-eye, or concentric ring, target to make the sighting an easier process.
Step 2
Adjust your sight pin so it is vertically centered on the rail and the pin's point is centered left to right over the arrow. This is the starting point from which you will make adjustments.
Step 3
Nock an arrow, come to a full draw and note where your string hand is anchored on your chin or cheek. You must use this same anchor point for every shot or your results will not be consistent.
Step 4
Close your left eye, if you are a right-handed shooter. With the string at full draw, rotate your shoulders left or right to sight the pin on the center of the bulls-eye. Raise or lower the arm holding the bow, not your drawing arm, to put the pin on target vertically.
Step 5
Release the arrow and continue shooting until you can get at least three or more arrows in a group no larger than your fist.
Step 6
Note where the group is in relation to the center of the bulls-eye you were aiming for. Move the pin toward the group in a small adjustment. For example, if the arrow group was above and to the right of the bulls-eye, adjust the pin up and to the right.
Step 7
Repeat the process of shooting another group of arrows and adjusting the sight pin until you are hitting the bulls-eye.
Tips and Warnings
- Hunting bow sights often have multiple pins with each corresponding to a specific distance. You will have to set each pin individually using the same techniques listed above. If you are unable to get a tight group, re-examine your technique and see what you are doing with each shot. Are you anchoring in the same spot? Are you smoothly releasing the arrow? Are you jerking the bow down after the shot?
- When sighting in a bow, arrows have a tendency to fly over targets during the first few shots. Make sure you have a safe background and an area clear of any pedestrian or animal traffic before you start launching arrows downrange.
Things You'll Need
- Range finder
- Target
- Sight pin
- Range finder
References
- "Hunting and Shooting With the Modern Bow"; Roger Maynard; 1999
- "Archer's Bible: The Ultimate Archery Reference Guide"; Michael Faw, Mike Faw; 2003
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