Shooting a compound bow accurately requires practice, preparation and the knowledge of how to read the bow sight. Bow sights, first introduced in 1937, are designed to give the shooter a point of reference while shooting targets at various distances. Nearly 33 years later, the compound bow made its debut to revolutionize the archery industry. Installing a bow sight on a compound bow can be used for target shooting or bow hunting, but knowing how to read the sights is crucial for consistent accuracy.
Step 1
Set the aperture with the front sight housing and the peep sight on the bow string. After drawing the bow, obtain an anchor point and look through the peep sight to align the sight housing--the outer ring surrounding the individual pins--in the peep sight. If the aperture isn't set correctly, the arrows can miss the intended target.
Step 2
Move the built-in bubble level. Most sights for compound bows will have an integrated bubble level that helps keeps the bow perfectly level while shooting to prevent canting the bow. When the bubble is off to the right, for instance, the arrow will miss to the right.
Step 3
Measure or calculate the distance. On target ranges, the distance might be posted or you can use a laser rangefinder to quickly and accurately determine the distance.
Step 4
Hold the appropriate pin on the intended target. Most sights will feature a one-pin, three-pin or five-pin configuration. Each pin is made from fiber optics and relates to a specific distance. The top pin is for the closest distance with each corresponding pin for a longer distance.
Step 5
Release the arrow. After shooting the arrow, maintain a "clean" follow-through by keeping the sight on the target.
Tips and Warnings
- Maintain proper shooting form and focus on every shot. Visit an archery pro shop for any detailed questions about a bow sight. Focus on the target instead of the actual pin. Most three-pin sights will be set for 20, 30 and 40 yards. Adjust the distances based on your individual bow.
- Always be aware of your surroundings while shooting a compound bow.
Things You'll Need
- Release aid
- Target
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