Instinctive Archery - Eye Dominance

To answer many of the questions I receive about eye dominance and instinctive shooting

[@jurgengrauer9850]

Jeff/ Lucy You saved me. I am a beginner started Almost one year ago and have been shooting just about every day. You are one of my teachers.Love traditional Archery and have been making steady progress. In the last few weeks I have been missing left top. I could not figure out why.Tried all kind of stuff . Stance ,release,better back tension.Have no other traditional archers around me for tips. But last night when I watched or re watched this video I realized that I am left eye dominant but am a right hand shooter. Knowing this I went out today and was right on target.I think sometimes I favored my right eye? You saved me . Respectfully Jurgen

[@PatrickvanEwijk]

Jeff you have answered my question that i have not had answered on the whole internet. I am right handed and left eye dominant, and people have been trying to tell me how to shoot. without succes on their part. I do shoot by just concentrating on my target and not use my arrow as a aiming device. I can't thank you enough for making this video.

[@Arranvin9]

This is a really helpful video. I've been shooting a fair while now and just realised that I'm cross dominant (left eye, right hand) but I don't think it makes much difference to me as I shoot barebow (usually flatbow or British longbow, very occasionally recurve) and the only real aiming I do is at the very beginning of my shot, before I draw. I place the point of the arrow or one of the knuckles of my draw hand (depending on how far I'm shooting) on the target to determine my initial range and alignment, then as soon as I begin to draw I'm just focusing on the target. It works for me! :) It's good to see someone else with the same setup showing that it needn't be an issue. I think I'll try your way of shooting instinctively and see how I get on.

[@bobcasteel4789]

Jeff, I might be over stepping my bounds but through your videos I feel I have gained a friend and I think you should put all your expertise into one full length shooting and training video. I would also like to see you write a book on the subject matter of shooting, all aspects, i. e., wing, hunting, bow differences and choices long bow, recurve, etc., this is my personal opinion. I'd buy both video or book because you sir have educated me on shooting and helped me more in the short time I've watched you and practiced what you teach. My shooting has improved 10 fold. I've learn more from you in this short time than I ever learned in all my years of shooting and hunting. I started when I was 13 I'm now 62 Your method of teaching is so clear cut it makes it so easy to learn not only do you teach it but you demonstrate it and practice it. Jeff you are the man ! Very Respectfully Bob

[@JeffKavanagh]

Thank-you for the kind words. Funny how a simple thing like archery can bring all kinds of people together. I enjoy sharing it with others and learning myself. I live in an area where archery is virtually nonexistent and am self taught. You can also find me on Facebook. .

[@MrReeceeoff]

Jeff Kavanagh Would love to see an archery book written by you, Jeff. Definitely would buy.

[@UncleDansVintageVinyl]

I'm with Mr. CaSteel. Jeff, you're a great teacher. You shoot beautifully, and your explanations are wonderfully clear.

[@mStiltner89]

This was a breath of fresh air for me. I'm currently getting into archery, instinctive to be precise. I was worried that I might have a problem being left eyed dominant and right handed.

[@umay1571]

Mark hello Mark! are u using right handed bow?

[@efrainberrios9187]

Im in the same boat. Using right handed bow

[@Andromachine]

Jeff, thank you much. Your advises helps me to look for my style. And I find it. thank you much. Wish you health.

[@XinyiLHBF]

That was the most sensible thing I've heard on the topic in years. Thanks Jeff.

[@BeagleBro]

Jeff, what you're saying is so true. At 63, I just bought my first bow today to start a new marksmanship hobby! I've been shooting firearms (primarily handguns) for years and compete in Steel Challenge competitions, which are multi-target speed events. It's almost impossible to do as well if you close one eye. Unlike instinctive archery, in handgun marksmanship, your primary focus is on the front sight and everything else is somewhat out of focus, but the two eye open concept holds true. Thanks for a great video.

[@WoodlandGhost]

Hi Jeff, thanks for posting this . Especially for those new to archery. I started into archery this spring. Let my first arrow fly March 14. I too am left eye dominant and shoot right. I had concerns about this in the beginning. I found, as you have stated here that when shooting instictive, it really didin't matter. I shot way more than I probably should have, averaging 180-250 arrows per day, but with a 35 pound bow, muscle fatigue was not an issue. I am currently shooting far less but my muscle memory and form have come along way in a short preiod of time. I am now shoooting ariel targets at 18 yards 10 for 10 just about every time. I was happy too see you state the " eye dominant thing", it will take some of the questioning out of the minds of people looking to get their fist bow. If I had any thing to say to a beginning archer, it would be to not overpower yourself with a bow with a high draw weight. Practice is everything. Love your vids , and the info you provide ,....peace.

[@actionchris540]

Awesome Jeff. I totally agree. I've had so many debates with my archery friends regarding this subject. Thanks for proving my point!

[@tiedemann8225]

You are a awesome archer. And the way you give us tips and advise, is very easy to understand. Even for a beginner. I`ve learn alot from you, so thank you for doing these videos.

[@sarafayelawton652]

Thanks Jeff that makes me feel better. I'm right eye dominant and left handed, just starting to shoot traditional after 20 years of compound shooting. Appreciate the videos, God bless

[@davidtennant505]

This video is great, my whole life I've had people tell me I needed to shoot left handed instinctively due to eye dominance. But they're always surprised when I shoot right and consistently hit my spots out to 30 yards lol... It's nice to know somebody else has my same theory on shooting instinctively.

[@mattedwards4533]

You did a good job explaining the way you shoot an arrow. The instinctive part of archery only comes to one that shoots many arrows every day . If a person wants to see how it works just look at a baby eating. The baby sticks the spoon every where but their mouth to start with but eventually will learn to hit their mouth with time.The biggest problem an archer will have is tuning a bow when they can't shoot good to start with?

[@alanjames884]

Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou man. I am the same, right-handed, left-eye dominant. You have given me the confidence to carry on with my right-left style. Cheers mate, nice one.

[@predrag18]

Thank you very much for answering my question so quickly. You are the best! Best regards from Croatia :)

[@Pasdechevredreamer]

Another way to test for eye dominance is to hold a CD/DVD at arms length, keep both eyes open, while looking through the centre, pull it into your face while still looking though the hole. Whichever eye remains looking through it at two inches from your face is your dominant eye. I hope this helps.

[@garethh6962]

Ty Jeff this is the best archery video out there ever I am right handed and left eye dom like you and shot with just my right eye open for years which only let me see my target up to 20 yards. But you saying you had the same set up made me try and its working now still along way to go but I'm making that picture....

[@Atlatl1218]

Keep up the good work, very informative and practical! Well done!

[@graysonguyer3410]

Thanks for the great videos. I'm just getting into archery at 36 years of age and cross dominant. This video is a huge confidence boost.

[@aleksandervaldal]

How did it go? I’m 33, just ordered a black hunter

[@anthonytindell7617]

daaaam dude you have just inspired me ta train [shoot] even more,i hope that i can get just half as good as you some day, you are now my new instinctive shooting hero, ALPHAMALE

[@jamesbeidel9774]

Hey Jeff, awesome work keep it up what you're doing is amazing.

[@michaellindner8414]

Hi Jeff. Great video and thank you for this clear informations. I shoot left and right hand bows. My results improved through practising. It is more the feeling of being new or strange on the "wrong side" that makes ist difficult. And as well that it is hard work to train my left hand shooting. Best Regards fom Germany Michael Lindner- Bogenevent

[@matthewsadgrove2214]

Once again great video you are awesome! I am a new archer and will look to use some of your teachings on my next hunt in Fiordland NZ. If your ever in NZ give me a yell well look after you.

[@ArcheryAdventures]

nicely put Jeff!

[@matthewquinn3047]

Thank you for the videos you post and all of the instruction that you offer for free. You are an inspiration and have helped me tremendously along my quest to become a better traditional archer. If you are ever in or around the Austin, Texas area please contact me as I will take you to eat some good BBQ.

[@JeffKavanagh]

+Matthew Quinn I love good BBQ!

[@realworldarchery736]

I am sitting here watching your videos. I have to say I am completely impressed with your ability and your knowledge of archery. Superb skill sir!

[@missionman4539]

Thank you Jeff !

[@catholichack]

Thank you Jeff! I used to prefer shooting the string walking method with one eye closed. It worked great for target practice but, as I moved into preparing to hunt with my bow, I didn't like the idea of closing an eye... it really narrows my field of vision. Now I shoot "quasi-instinctive" with both eyes open and it is working really well. It took some practice though. I can still use my right eye to align my target, arrow and string in my peripheral vision - yet focus on a single impact point. Having both eyes has helped me most with distance to target I think.

[@LockStockNBarrel]

I've always said the same thing about eye dominance, people always ask on archerytalk what to do if they're eye dominance is opposite of there hand dominance. I always say if your shooting instinctive it doesn't matter, though it seems most people believe differently. I'm left eye dominant and shoot right handed as well, never had any issues and I shoot pretty darn well.

[@reallyoldrookie433]

I'm in the same boat. I bought a lefty bow because of eye dominance. I just didn't do too good. Borrowed a right handed, big improvement with the first few shots. To me, it came down to what felt more natural, and that was shooting right handed. Both eyes in use, Dominance wasn't an issue.

[@6gunsmith427]

Thanks for explaining this!

[@JustFollowJesus]

I am so relieved to hear this! I am going to buy a sage recurve and am only interested in instinctive archery. I was so worried when I read that left-eye dominant people should shoot left-handed bows...it feels very unnatural for me to use my left hand for anything. After watching your daughter hit a lifesaver I'm wondering if a longbow would be an even better choice.

[@gapster77]

Very helpful, want to be instinctive and I'm Right handed but Left eye dominant. Was convinced I'd need a LH bow but now I feel differently. I will go RH now.

[@MrAfricaturtle]

Dear Jeff, Thanks for posting this video, I see it as a response to the message I had put on the discussion board of your channel a month or so ago, about precisely that topic. I'm also cross-dominant (left eye)t. When realizing that, I decided, to switch from righty to lefty. I see it as an real advantage because : - I have really poor sight with my right eye and actually realized that i feel more comfortable with my left eye directly above the arrow (though I don't aim, and keep both eyes open) for peripheral vision, and proper alignment. - Incidentally, I feel much more stable with my bow arm, because it is now my right arm holding the bow, and it is significantly stronger than my left. I now have more rock-solid follow through. - I already know what the proper form is, but switiching was odd at first and forced me to refine my form even more and I think I have less flaws than I used to. - Last but not least, I HAD to buy a new bow, of course! I treated myself to a Bear Grizzly, which I decided on according to your rave review and countless others, is supposed to be awesome. Can't wait to shoot it! Anyways, just my two cents, and once again, I really appreciate your taking time to answer questions like these. Best regards and happy shooting, Georges

[@JeffKavanagh]

Georges I am glad you got it figured out and working. Everyone is different and the things I mention are things which work for me and are simply suggestions for others to try if they are having some difficulties. Have fun shooting that Grizzly! .

[@NeffTattoo]

This was very helpful!!!!

[@robertfrankgabriel9064]

OK< you have a fan blowing out the candles....just joking...well done.

[@ozziejim8472]

Hi Jeff, mate have you ever done any vids on 'tuning' ? My recurve is on its way so I would appreciate some of your wisdom. Love your stuff. Cheers Jim

[@Traveler2112]

Nice vid and shootn'.

[@duieb]

Hi Jeff! I learned a lot from your videos. Can you make a video about proper anchoring with a glove? I always hear that using a tab is better for consistency becaus your finger tips are exposed and you can "feel" the anchor, but I shoot with a glove becaus it`s much more comfortable then a tab. So, can you do it please? Thanks in advance.

[@christophish]

Hi from Alberta Jeff! I've really enjoyed your videos during my learning journey. I have made a vow to live more simply, and to hunt more for subsistence. Traditional archery fits this mindset that I have chosen for myself. However, I also recently discovered that I am cross dominant (left eye), and it has messed messed with my head a bit, as I was really reluctant to switch hands now. this video has helped me decide to stick with shooting right handed.However, I am also thinking of using a compound bow for hunting mule deer here in the open prairies. Average shooting distances for spot and stalk in such open areas are 30-40 yards. it is really tough to get any closer. i will still stick to my recurve when hunting using cover. I'm fairly confident up to 25 yards, but when I need to put meat into the freezer, I hope to use a compound with a sight to increase my odds. should I stick with shooting right handed? or should I switch to left for a compound bow and sight?

[@ursbasteck]

Hey Jeff, first of all, thanks for your channel! What you're doing here is simply fantastic. Onto my question: I am extremely left eye dominant to the point that I cannot really utilize stereoscopic vision. Somewhat stereoblind. But I have no problems judging depth because there are other clues to do this. (And I CAN make my right eye the dominant one without closing the left but it requires some sort of mental tension. Like there's a switch in my brain, but it's more of a push button I need to consciously hold). Of course, my shots go to the left (up, too). Just how do I practice to eliminate this? I feel like sticking to the intuitive method won't change anything. I will _have to_ do some conscious aiming with the arrow/bow to find out how much to the right I'll have to compensate, no? It's weird, because I shot an almost Robin Hood group today (from 6-ish meters) but just not on what I aimed for ;)

[@franklinquijote4607]

best shooting ..... very accurate can you advise me what to buy for my son 17 years old for over all bows hunting is our goal thanks more power to you..

[@drivethelightning]

I must be doing something wrong because I shoot about a foot left at 10 yards unless I close my dominant left eye and look down the arrow. I try raising my bow arm in line with the target and still shoot way left with two eyes open.

[@MinhNguyen-ml4pc]

Jeff Kavanagh Could you share with us the shooting gloves you use?

[@you1mad1foo]

Jeff please make some more videos.

[@landonstokes4731]

Even if I'm cross eyed dominant and I shoot instinctively wouldn't you still have an advantage if you shoot from your dominant eye side. You hear so many people saying it's such a big deal to match your bow hand with your dominant eye. I'm just trying to figure out if I should start the transition to left hand or just stick with the right. Before I started researching all of this I felt like I shot fine now that I'm aware of it it's messing with my conference..

[@brandonsimmons2942]

your bow is creaking and it's scaring the hell put of me

[@sanglier_40]

respect.....

[@mikeseeley1042]

Dear Jeff, I know it's been some time since you posted this, but my heart's desire in archery is to shoot with both eyes open, left handed. Of course, I'm right eye dominant. I understand you have the reverse situation. Having tried this, I just can't imagine how anyone could do it. So I continue to hunt right-handed...though it's a lot less comfortable than LH shooting for me. Is there a question here? I dunno...wish you could coach me for an hour or so. :^)

[@Seminex222]

Great Video!! I am righthanded but left-eye-dominant......and i shoot lefthanded. Why? Cause it just feels natural! But when i pick up a righthanded bow it usually takes 3 arrows for my brain to adjust...and then its on target again. Thats instinctive archery :D Greetings from Austria!

[@fiditunka]

thats good news for me. i am crossdominant and allways wondered if i would be a better archer if i was not. but now that i know that the secound best archer i know of (the best is jarn van rüppbürger of course) is crossdominant too, i think i can stop wondering. :)

[@JeffKavanagh]

That darn Jarn, always stealing the spotlight from me! Grrr! =D

[@Hideyoriisdaman]

I found that the finger point thing is not a valid way to figure out eye dominance, at least for me the eye dominance switched between either left or right, depending on which hand I was pointing the finger with. Otherwise a good video and great point, we have two eyes that make it possible to approximate distances, so it really doesn't matter which eye is dominant. Not for Jeff and not for me.

[@patrickcote2392]

I gap shoot right handed though I'm left eye dominant. I trained myself to be right eye dominant so my brai knows wich image is the right one.

[@TheTater_]

Which one of your bows were You shooting in this video

[@lyn4219]

i realy need help with my anchor and release,

[@mendellpatton3405]

A question. I'm right handed, but left eye dominant yet my left eye is weaker than my right. When I shoot with both eyes open its almost like seeing the target double. closing my left eye solves this and my groupings are much better. I don't want to wear glasses, but do you have any other recommendations?

[@wataboutya9310]

That is very interesting. I am left eye dominant and shoot recurves left handed with both eyes open. However, when I shoot a rifle or any firearm with a sight that requires one eye closed to look through it. I shoot right handed. It feels natural for me to look through that telescopic sight with my right eye. Different strokes I guess?

[@JeffKavanagh]

When ever you close an eye the other one naturally becomes your dominant eye. That is why you can shoot a rifle right handed because you close your left eye. One of the tricks which can be used if they are trying to correct a dominant eye problem, (say if one shoots right and are left eye dominant) is to wear a pair of glasses with a small dot over the lens of the left dominant eye. It handicaps the dominant eye so the other eye takes over.

[@wataboutya9310]

I hear what you are sayin there Jeff. In actuality I just feel more comfortable shooting the bow left handed. That's probably a good thing though, as I have bone chip floatin around in my right elbow and when it gets it a certain spot. My elbow can't bend past 90 deg and it hurts like the blazes. Drawing a bowstring with my right hand is just out of the question as it would aggravate the heck out of that condition.

[@shawnstallard7328]

Awesome videos. I've been shooting compounds all my life but want to try traditional archery. What bows do you suggest for beginers?

[@JeffKavanagh]

+shawn stallard the Montana would be a great bow to start with. 64" length and quite a forgiving bow to learn with. Very smooth and easy to tune. Also it is priced very reasonably. We have a 40lb that we love. I would highly recommend a lighter poundage bow like that to start with. It's not about if you can draw it or not it is about learning to use proper back tension and learn a soft release. It is better to do that with a lighter poundage bow.

[@shawnstallard7328]

Thanks

[@erics80166]

What is your advice for someone who has monocular vision (blind in my right eye) and also shoots right handed?? Should I try and shoot left handed now??

[@JeffKavanagh]

That's a hard one. I would think it would be very difficult to shoot instinctively that way and likely it would be easier to match you one good eye with the side you need to shoot on. One thing I have learned is that people can surprise me and over come obstacles. I have learned to never say never.

[@bobcasteel4789]

Jeff, what got you using Bear Bows, are they what you have always shot? Bob

[@JeffKavanagh]

Hi Bob. I started out with a Bear minuteman which I got when i was eleven and a copy of "The Archer's Bible" by Fred Bear. So I guess I have been a "Bear man" ever since. I figure if they were good enough for him then...

[@missionman4539]

Hi Jeff, I was wondering if it is better to shoot split finger as opposed to three fingers under when shooting right handed? I am left eye dominant but when I shoot 3 fingers under I find myself wanting to aim rather then shoot instinctively thanks Chuck

[@JeffKavanagh]

Mission man I am afraid to say that I really can't answer this for you. This type of thing whether you shoot split finger or 3 under is a personal thing and you just need to find out what you feel the most comfortable with.

[@grammoore3348]

Hey Jeff, I was wondering if you practice out of a tree stand for deer hunting? And do you think you will try to videotape a hunt?

[@JeffKavanagh]

Hi Gram. No I am afraid of heights so all of my hunting is from the ground. Natural cover and still hunting. Yes I have been working on filming some hunts but it is difficult hunting like this.

[@grammoore3348]

Ground hunting is hard! I'm looking forward to some hunts from you! Do you use 2 blade or three blades for deer? I shoot a 49lb Dywer longbow and use 3 blades but i haven't gotten pass throughs.

[@WilliamR-nt5ek]

Yo...Jeff Does any of your Bear Bows have any problems with the limbs hazing? My Super Kodiak Mag. limbs hazed up on the outside or front of the bow. Looks kinda like the gloss finish cracked a bunch of horizontal lines... really close together from where the limb leaves the riser area. Both bottom & top limbs are hazing. Looks to be just in the finish...but I donno exactly why it would be doing this. My bow isn't a old one... it's the Commerative model... 50# and my draw is only 27"

[@JeffKavanagh]

Hi William. No none of my bows are doing that but I think your right that it sounds like a finish problem. I have heard of that problem before in some of the various forums around. I am not sure what the answer is for you. Have you talked to Bear customer service about it?

[@nicholasborden7503]

i agree i shoot with both eyes.

[@WV591]

I also have left eye dominance but shoot right hand sure doesn't help.

[@oGxMaXiiMuMZz]

same and it sucks

[@WV591]

with this type of disadvantage, we have no choice but to shoot instinctively. you can never use sight (who would want to) or three finger under or closer to eye anchor point.

[@oGxMaXiiMuMZz]

im gonna try a left hand bow

[@WV591]

Well at least you will get better deals on LH bows on eBay and other clearance sales :-)