The ABC’s of Instinctive Shooting / Traditional Bows

[@craiglacount89]

Thanks Jeff for all the great content you provide. I have shot instinctive my whole. In fact I would say that if you don’t shoot a traditional bow instinctive then you’ve lost the biggest advantage in shooting tradition bows. I use to play a game with all the compound shooters at our archery club, where I’d challenge any of them to see who could get their arrow in the target first. I’d always say well my bow is 75 to 100 FPS slower then yours but that’s not what speed is, speed is how fast do you get the arrow in the target. I’d always let them pick the target and I’d always let them say “go”. The winner was who got their arrow in the target first, I never lost that challenge! Also after you’ve throughly mastered what your calling the “ABC’s” stop shooting groups!! I never shoot the same target twice, never ever. To throughly train your instinctive eye you must shoot a different target each shot, if you shoot the same target you’ll subconsciously be making adjustments based on your previous shot. I own a single target and it is used strictly for bare shafting my arrows, once I’ve got my arrows flying exactly true, I put the appropriate weight Judo or field tip on and exclusively stump shot at a different target each and every shot. And yes good even great instructional information was available in the 80’s, G. Fred Asbell’s book on instinctive shooting was available then and it remains the best resource I have ever seen on the true art of instinctive shooting.

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

Yes sir that’s very true! It’s the first shot that counts, I know lots of guys who only walk out with one arrow to practice and never shoot at the same target twice during that cession 👍🏻

[@brettellis423]

As a psychotherapist, EVERYTHING is "instinctive" because human neurology "instinctively" develops adaptive responses (all behaviours/form). I'm with ya' Jeff!!🙏

[@mikekupetsky6879]

I'm so glad someone with a professional background commented on this I get so tired of hearing people say there's no such thing as instinctive

[@brettellis423]

@@mikekupetsky6879 Funnily enough, those people are instinctively babbling in order to psychologically protect their ego lol And they learnt that pattern instinctively!!

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

@@mikekupetsky6879 amen

[@69jeffb69]

and in layman's terms...Muscle memory😁😁

[@bowman321123]

Thanks, Jeff! Ya can't beat the basics, so many end up overthinking it and lose the absolute joy of archery.

[@philliparm]

Switching from fixed crawl to instinctive has transformed my archery thanks Jeff. My enjoyment has grown and I’m no longer chasing my tail modifying aim considerations in an effort to correct what were really just form problems.

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

Yes sir, I’ve noticed a lot of people going back lately and I realize that like anything else folks get influenced by the endless tinkering with equipment to try and get to the compound target shooting level especially with 3D competitions being so popular now but it also comes at a cost and usually ends up with going back to the compound shooting, that’s why I’m not a aimer in essence because it’s the simplicity of just figuring out how to hit what I’m looking at that keeps me going because I’m a hunter and yes I’ve tried it all at some point lol

[@aranha9365]

It is been a few months that I started to look into bow hunting ( tradicional, the compound is not appealing for me) and I struggle a lot with the bareshaft tuning... I tried to build "a form" with no success... then i was tired and frustaded... decided to just look to a spot and shoot on it, just having fun with, and it works! Then I could bareshaft my arrows properly ( none of them worked before). Suddenly I caught myself saying "bullet...bullet" and slicing the air with the hand stating :"Cured" after a nock tune adjustment. After a couple days of practice of not thinking, just spot and shoot, I was hitting a coin, with a set of 6 arrows, twice, at 20m, and all the others were on a melon size spread, and I was impressed with the precision of no aiming. Thank you Sir!

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

@@aranha9365 Thanks for sharing this with me and I’m glad you found what works for you as I did! Just have fun and don’t worry about anything else!

[@johnmclaren1666]

You inspired me to try my hand at traditional archery. I just bought an inexpensive recurve last week and have been tinkering with it. I've been a beast from 15 yards and in😆 Thanks Jeff, keep the content coming.

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

Awesome!

[@vesasavolainen5605]

ABC! This has been very effective to me. Simple and understandable. Thank you Jeff🎯

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

Thanks!

[@ReligiousPrime]

I used to have a 45lb myself, a one-piece Deerseeker Longbow. Decided on it for hunting purposes, should the opportunity arise. Shot it a few times, but started to regret the poundage. Apparently, I'm more of a 40lb guy, so I sold the Deerseeker and got a replacement. Currently only have 2 bows, one a Longbow, the other a recurve, both 40lb one-pieces. Thinking of getting a Black Hunter takedown to use for special occasions, while my one-pieces will be strictly for target practice.

[@outdoorsman9384]

Got my morning shot of instinctive Addictionmy day should go smoothly, God willing, Great stuff Jeffrey 🙌 👍

[@paulharding1621]

Enjoyed this , I’m only a year into archery and I’m now 64 years. Trying to shoot instinctive, had some practice at my club this morning, I’m ok out to thirty yards or so but beyond that I tend to shoot low. Targets on our 3D course vary from five yards to almost fifty. I have a coaching session booked in a couple of weeks so hopefully I’ll get some tips from an expert. Thanks again.

[@HoneyBeagle]

This looks like so much fun! I’ve been watching a ton of videos including a bunch of yours and I pulled the trigger today and ordered a recurve! I’ve been shooting a compound for 25 years but I’m really excited to try a traditional bow

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

It’s definitely different but a lot of fun and it gets expensive 🤣👍🏻

[@danny_the_K]

That's some good shootin brother! Smooth release, stable, repeatable draw... I'm 67 and working on doing the same. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.... Tremendous! Blessing to you you Jeff.

[@93med1]

Thanks Jeff. You’ve helped immensely in my first year of archery. I dabbled briefly with gap shooting but the joy factor went down. I switched back to instinctive and never been happier or more consistent.

[@it_is_finished]

Thank you Jeff. From someone who has been a compound shooter for a long time and just getting into traditional, I really appreciate your videos.

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

Thanks brother I really appreciate that! Have fun and enjoy every shot 👍🏻

[@garethhopkins7433]

Legend, thanks Jeff. Very insightful!

[@vinceholcomb8845]

Jeff , I can't thank you enough for taking the time to address all the things involved with hopefully having a successful season. If you get time to talk about shot angles and placement from a stand, it would be great. I have a hard time transitioning after the tournament season.

[@johnd7215]

Outstanding explanation! Always a joy to watch you shoot.

[@johnfaulkner4067]

Just wanted to tell you I have seen a significant improvement in my accuracy with a recurve after watching and learning from your instruction. I learned I can't gap shoot, I shoot worse when I try that. maybe a little split vision just as I come to full draw and anchor for a split second and see everything in my focused and peripheral vision, but I am no good at measuring the gap. I had a bad habit of snap shooting, sometimes releasing before I even reached my anchor. You're instruction corrected that. I'm no Byron Ferguson, but I do hit something with a little consistency now. Thank you so much!

[@boogermeister1]

Hi Jeff, thanks for all these great videos.. I picked up traditional archery after about a 20 year break from it, and have been having a hard time with any kind of good accurracy. After watching your tips on shooting, on my trip to the range today I decided to concentrate on only the target, and forgetting everything else. I could not believe the improvement. I have to break some bad habits, but I am on the road to shooting decent now. Even had a Robin Hood, not that I want to ruin arrows, but it was cool. Keep the tips coming, I will certainly try them out. You have been like having an online coach!!

[@paulpower2680]

Another good one Jeff. Thanks a million.

[@mattsteed8015]

Great video Jeff. I always enjoy watching. Keep up the good work. You shot with my wife and I a couple years ago at the TN Classic. We had a great time and it was good getting to know you.

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

Yes sir! We sure did, y’all had those brand new Black Widows 👍🏻

[@MONKLJ]

Yes sir, form, focus, and execution. I do that on all my yard shots, 15, 18, 20, 25 and 30 in particular at these distances. I can shot at 35, 40, and 45, or beyond , usually just for fun if I want to. I find that most of hunting situations will fall from 20, 25 and 30 yards on the ground. I've tried 3 under, several different times, and tiller for it, but just plain don't like it, so split finger is my way of drawing the bow. I usually practice for one hour, and will shoot 12 - 15 arrows, practice, practice, and practice more, to really find that instinctive feel for what I shoot. I broke my collar bone about 3 months ago, had steel put in my shoulder, didn't shoot for almost all that time, and with the A, B, C it was like riding a bicycle, you never really loose it, my accuracy, form, focus, and execution were right there waiting for my return. Thanks for this video, hope from you making it, more people will feel the pleasure of pure instinctive shooting.

[@MSC-o6q]

In high school we had a great archery teacher who taught us good form and "instinctive shooting." Years later, it is just like riding a bike. It comes back after no time. Japanese archery is 100% instinctive shooting including even shooting in the dark. They believe if the soul is right and focused, the arrow will find it's target. Great video! Thank you!

[@jamesunderdal8976]

Love your videos man.

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

@@jamesunderdal8976 thanks brother!!!!

[@thephoenicianarcher5267]

Brother God bless and thank you for the information 🏹💪

[@zieg84]

Jeff, thanks for the videos! You may address this on a video that I have not seen yet. It appears to me that when you draw you do it in two stages. Could you explain why you do that please. Thanks.

[@matthewgill9820]

Good video! Simple is good and it works

[@davidhafner3855]

All I can say is you’re a great man !

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

I’m very humbled by that, thank you so much for watching and hopefully something will be helpful!

[@Woodsman42]

Good video, I'm subscribed now! I'm located in north Alabama also. I'm looking into getting my first recurve after getting bored with a compound. A lot of folks really talk up the black hunter recurve bows. Would you recommend it or some other bow for a beginner?

[@aidanharvey738]

Awesome so much great information thank you

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

Thanks so much I really appreciate it and hopefully it was helpful 👍🏻

[@TRP-ViroskaRaptor]

Thanks for the content. Can you drop a link to that beautiful bow?

[@johncooper7242]

thank you Jeff another great video on instinctive Archery. This week I have finally found the perfect wood arrow build for my 40# AFB and like you say when you see your bare shaft arrows hit where you focus, with a perfect flight ...you know that you've found the perfect arrow for your bow. Could you please tell us the full arrow spec for your 45# bow

[@Boganhagen]

Great video--can't wait to practice more instinctive shooting as for me it yields much more accurate results than aiming. Question : I want to get the correctly tuned arrows for my 40# takedown recurve bow. A set for practice and a set for hunting. My draw is 28". Watched your light poundage trad bow video and it was great but want to know where/what to purchase. I'm thinking 400g shaft and 200g tip but not sure I am figuring things correctly. Thanks!

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

Thanks brother, you’ll want to go with a 500 spine in a fairly light weight (grains per inch) shaft like a gold tip warrior and run something like 200 grains of point weight with your shafts being cut to like 30” that should be a really good setup for it 👍🏻

[@heyman9395]

Hi Jeff, I am not really a computer guy says there’s a number I can text you or something like that to get some arrows made. Thanks by the way, I love your videos.

[@ronkailbourne1116]

Thanks Jeff. Just curious, I shoot a 46# longbow, and wander what arrow set up you recommend. I am currently shooting Easton Legacy 500 spine arrows cut at 29 inches and shootiing a 145 grain point, do you reccomend more weight up front, and if so how much, and how would I go about that or would I need to get all new arrows? Watched one of your videos where you were shooting with about 150 grain point with an extra 100 grains of weight up front.

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

Yes sir I do for hunting but not for 3D or target necessarily, the legacy’s usually do great with the 50 or 75 grain brass inserts and that just seems to help them stabilize in flight better but a 500 spine should be perfect for you 👍🏻

[@Wolfblaz13]

Hi Jeff, great video! I am always wondering what bow do you use in this video (and others) here?

[@TomasDeJesus-pk5dc]

Jeff, trying to contact your friend, Mike ? Who sent you the self long bow. Thank you.

[@bradhuntley6280]

Preach it brother. I shoot instinctive.

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

😁👍🏻

[@ShootingUtah]

I use the arrow to aim somewhat when I practice, but when I do my best shooting I would call it instinctual shooting. Not entirely aiming and not entirely instinctive. I'm aware of the arrow to some degree but I'm not focusing on it I focus on the target and pull the shot. I don't think about form or anything, just hitting the target. When I'm purposefully practicing I aim and I work on my form and shot process. Then I just shoot for the fun of it and that's always when I'm the most accurate.

[@TheShepherdArchive]

So what about anchor and tilt of bow? Since those make a different don't they? To whether the arrow goes high or low, so how do you make sure you have a good anchor?

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

As long as you actually pull into your face at some point that feels good to you and allows you to do it every single shot the exact same it’s good and the up and down comes from practice letting your body adapt to where the bow arm needs to be to hit and it is developed from starting at close distance and gradually moving back a little at a time and keeping the exact same shot process going 👍🏻

[@garycaplinger5575]

I noticed that you are now shooting 3 under again instead of split finger. Are you more consistent with 3 under? I’ve been going back and forth but always end up going back to split. When I go 3 under and then go back to split it seems to help me be more consistent. I started split and have mainly shot that way and seem to have more control. Love watching your videos very helpful!!!!

[@johnbottone4996]

How do you set up your bow? If you don't have a shot process, that's consistent if you don't have a shot process, that's consistent

[@Little-by-little-more]

Jeff; Could you kindly tell me what's a good broadhead setup for a 20lb bow - for youth 3D archery (recurve). Many thanks

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

Honestly I wouldn’t recommend hunting with anything less than 35# that’s usually the legal minimum in a lot of states and it would probably be too light with any broadhead of normal hunting weight, usually a 125gr broadhead is minimum and that’s really on the light side for hunting also it would be difficult to get an arrow heavy enough for hunting to work out of a 20 # bow sorry if I sound negative but I just don’t feel it’s quite enough for hunting large game.

[@garywixson8852]

Jeff, I will start archery lessons this month and I will be buying my first bow where I’ll be taking lessons. The “Slick Stick”, & “Quick Stick” longbows really caught my interest of the videos I’ve seen of them on KZbin. They get great reviews and have a 30 year warranty. The slick stick is 58” and the quick stick is 60”. I’m thinking a maximum pull weight I’ll get it in will be 25#. I just want to shoot targets with it and I want to get my form down first. Do you think this would be a good choice as to poundage and the above bows listed? Your thoughts or recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks in advance for your answers. Gary Wixson.

[@garywixson8852]

Can anyone answer me?

[@robertcrowther6134]

​@@garywixson8852l have shot both ,the quick stick is prettier but more expensive. The slick stick is just as good but is cheaper. Both are great bows l personally prefer the slick stick.

[@devildogmarine6681]

Do you shoot vaned arrows with traditional bows? I find feathered arrows fly more truly for my long bows.

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

No sir only feathers for me, they do make Trad Vanes I’ve never tried them but lots of people really like them I’m sure they’re much more flexible than regular vanes👍🏻

[@uncleremus5046]

Raising the draw shoulder engages your Rhomboid muscles that is the lock in pinch you feel. Archers hitting their Arm need to learn the proper 45 degree grip.Most have way too much hand on the bow.

[@scottlindholm5568]

That doesn't work with ASL longbows

[@guyhenderson4743]

I feel like using a bright color fetching helps in your minds eye to train for shooting at different distance.

[@mattb789]

Sounds almost like the reps on the range is the biggest aid. Is this the biggest take away?

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

I always try to help people keep their archery simple and fun with a little discipline along the way to help them get better and better 👍🏻

[@mattb789]

@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998 well I am just getting back after a long time away so for now it's the fundamentals. The great thing is my daughter wants to learn too. Any excuse to get my teenager to volunteer time with me is a win.

[@travisfuller6590]

I see you back to shooting 3 under what happened to split finger shooting?

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

I do both actually depending on the bow, most of mine are tillered for three under, even tillered and I really enjoy it, the short bows like split for sure 👍🏻

[@jeffchapman678]

Good video thanks. But you should have called it the 3 Fs form , focus , and finish.

[@paulmanda1395]

where are you located?I'm in fl panhandle

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

North Alabama 👍🏻

[@GrammaN-c3m]

Hi Jeff my name is Randy i have watched tons of your videos I'm not great with the computer ' i couldn't figure out how to contact you so i am using the comment section i have come from the pro compound world been shooting a ilf t bow for about 2 years . have a lot of first places in the 3ds I'm shooting a tbow with500 spine gold tip ultralights cut 27.5 inches long I'm around 40 pounds on my fingers i have 290 g up front i have shot bullet holes through paper have bare shaft tuned it it shoots great problem is it shoots 4 inches to the right of where i am aiming at 25 yards i have taken weight off the front to try and move the arrow to the left it did move it 2 inches tried taking a little more weight off the front the arrow now kicks when it comes out of the bow ant ideas my bow is bottomed out 0n 40 pound limbs i have a 27 inch draw and can never shot the spied arrows you shoot my bow must store more energy than the ones you shoot in 3d i shoot same bow 305 g pierce 600 spine 28 inches long with a 100 g point tunes great bare shaft it to 35 yards just a wonder why thing but my real question is how do i move that arrow to the left i can get it perfect if i put a rest with a Berger button on it but that is not the way i want the set up for hunting sure hope you respond thanks jeff Randy Spray

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

Yes sir you can shim the strike plate or use a thicker material on it, they’re actually way past center, I had to make the same adjustment on mine 👍🏻

[@GrammaN-c3m]

@@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998 thanks I will try that

[@GrammaN-c3m]

@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998 i moved the arrow out 35 thousands it's better but now my arrow is out of center shot alot. It is double the thickness of the shaft left of the string. The broadleaf fly perfect except they are still right of where I am aiming. I'm probably trying for perfection. But that's the way I am. Could the arrow still be to weak even if a fletcher and a bare shift hit pretty close together at 30 yards. Allot of the guys I shoot against in 3d think I am to particular. I think that's why I shoot better scores. Thanks for the help

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

@@GrammaN-c3m definitely sounds like they might be weak causing a lot of it for sure.

[@kennylainhart7148]

Great video ,but I will say knowing the yardage is very important!!!

[@pickin4you]

Now everyone needs to pay attention to Jeff. But one thing I have a different opinion on. Instinctive shooting can only be taught if you have that “Naturally” ability born on you. Not everyone has it. But you could have it and Jeff’s lessons will help you unlock it. I too shot a recurve with I was just a small child. One that was my dads, so I was way over bowed and knew nothing about anything. Once I learned to concentrate on a tiny spot, that’s when it all fell together for me. But just like common sense. Some people are born with a little. Some with none, and some with loads of it. The same thing with instinctive shooting. Just look up the word instinctive in the dictionary. It will say that it is something that comes naturally. Not learned. But again, many of you have it in you but need to follow Jeff’s instructions to unlock what is hidden. Now to me, like a golfer, there is no one perfect way, but.... you have to find YOUR way and repeat it over and over exactly the same. So shooting form can change from person to person. I may can’t my bow more than the next guy, but I am consistent with it and do it the same every time. This is where practice and muscle memory comes in. Again, listen to Jeff, but o know not everyone can do this. But at least try. You may have that naturally born talent and you don’t know how to unlock it. I am getting back into shooting after a 10+ year hiatus. Went through having no work for 5 years and had to sell off all my bows. Now, I have bogged Jeff to pieces to get me with a good point weight to go with because I cannot afford to buy some of everything or I would do it myself. Out of all of the trad archery instructors out there, on my opinion, Jeff is THE one to listen to.

[@bcreed9348]

You're back to 3 fingers under?? What happened?

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

Yes I am indeed! I actually have a video out on it called Split Decision and I explain exactly why I went back check it out when you can thanks!

[@billcharlene1450]

About a month ago I woulda bet you a hundred bucks I don't collapse, decided to film my arrow flight...sure enough that arrow crept forward about an inch right before release.

[@vanislandsteve]

👍🏻🇨🇦

[@rmcdaniel423]

It's much the same as how you can develop the ability to toss a wadded up piece of paper into a trash bin across the room. Or toss a basketball through a net. Or catch something that was tossed over to you. You don't actually think about ANY of those processes. The weight of the item, the angles of trajectory, the range, the velocity of throw, etc, etc. None of it. You just look at what you want to do, and you do it. Over and over and over until you start to do it better than the last time. It's like the Taoist philosophy of "doing non-doing".

[@roymilligan]

Pretty limbs on that bow,looks like black hair.

[@sqhunter65]

Looks like a quick gap shooter to me.

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

Lol I can guarantee that I’m not a gap shooter not that I have anything against it at all but I actually shoot split finger now and my gaps would be crazy, I demonstrated shooting gap 3 under for the guys that might want to and yeah it’s super effective on 3D ranges where targets don’t move it’s just not how I like to hunt again that is just my personal preference and definitely not the majority’s as way more guys do aim and they’re really good at it 👍🏻

[@sqhunter65]

@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998 well I am a gap shooter 3 finger under,and it looked Awfully familiar🤣🤣🤣. I like watching your channel, you have a lot of good info,about spine,arrow placement,and weight arrow,and that you don't need too shoot 65 or 70 pounds to be lethal. I did in the 80's,and could but I shoot 45 to 50 now ,and that being on the heavy side. I have a 29 draw,and actually think I could get away with 40 to 42. Because I'm a gap shooter, I have always shot full length arrows. It really helps me because I don't shot off an elevated rest anymore.

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

@@sqhunter65 absolutely, my brother in law is one of the best I’ve ever seen and he’s killed a lot of deer shooting gap with longer arrows, he’s actually developed what he calls gapstinctive where he only uses the tip to aim past fifteen yards he pretty much just looks and shoots closer range like me he’s figured out what sight picture works up close which is really split vision shooting but it’s definitely working for him and probably many others as well 👍🏻

[@sqhunter65]

@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998 I get the hole split vision thing that's me. I know my point of aim and used the tip of the arrow under and over. I quit using reference points like the shelf when I got away from an elevated rest.