Pure Instinctive! Why Not?

Join me today as we take a close look at pure instinctive traditional archery as well as bowhunting using our natural ability to develop a super accurate shot process that’s simple and enjoyable!

[@ZephrusPrime]

Shot Olympic for 27 years. Went to instinctive trad for the last 12 years and it was just too easy to stay with split finger. I shoot instinctive and use the the basics of the Olympic form. My bows are quiet and smooth. No problems shooting my 70" Olympic bows with absolutely nothing on them. No weights, sights, stabilizers, plunger or even any string silencers. The only thing I use is a stick on Hoyt super rest. I shoot them instinctively out to 50 meters. My difference is that I anchor and a hold while I expand through my shot just like I use to with the old clicker. I even got into horse bows a couple of years ago and learned to shoot with thumb and Slavic release. Archery is just too cool not to expand your skills and learn new things.

[@timmiller1999]

I crave shooting my recurve almost every day! Trad archery is addicting!

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

Yes it is!😁👍🏻

[@markkobuck693]

I changed to split finger this summer. I'm doing ok with it. Not sure if I'm as accurate as I was three under though

[@bow_hunter0871]

Split finger shooting seems to be a dying breed. I tried shooting 3 under and it doesn’t feel right so I’ve stuck with split finger. I am trying to perfect my anchor and follow thru to perfect my shot. Thanks for the pointers and keep up the content

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

Yes sir thank you!

[@pahack1972]

Great Video, Jeff! You answered a few questions I was struggling with!

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

Awesome! Thanks so much for watching 👍🏻

[@johnwilson3891]

Great video. Good information. Keep them coming.

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

👍🏻

[@bobbyglass7214]

God Bless!

[@johnd7215]

Always Great stuff! Very inspirational.

[@cedric2186]

Hey mate another top video. I've just switched to instinctive after 2 an a half years of gap and stringwalking. I was starting to find it becoming stressful focusing on the tip. Thanks to tutorials such as yours I'm loving the intsinctive shooting. Still shaking my head at how easy it is when your forms all good.

[@yvesbutel2322]

Clear and simple as usual, thanks for your videos, it really helps

[@MrLTW2009]

When instinctive shooting clicks, you’ll never want a compound bow again. i have shot every single day since april 2021. for about 4 months i considered getting a compound. I wouldn’t want one for anything now

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

Lol so cool!

[@jerrycox2058]

When you finally get good at it and I mean really good from thousands of shots engrained into your brain, you find that you can snap shoot with out coming to a full draw. I have shot a lot of critters without coming to full draw because I didn't need a full draw's power on a close shot on a smaller critter. Just like a baseball player doing his or her thing or a quarterback. The biggest thing is going to always be the focus thing, you pick the spot that you want to hit and let your hand to eye reflex to do what the brain knows to do. When I began shooting bugs that sting on clover to force myself to focus even more so, I did this very close, a couple of feet until it was mastered and then I began slowly backing up while coming back occasionally to the close shots. The whole thing is conditioning or allowing our brain to know what we expect for it to do under each distance or requirement. That is why a lot of my bowfishing was very quick snap shooting at moving targets, no time to think but to shoot as fast as required. Shooting style? people all over the world shoot totally different from us and shoot very well. my ancestors, Native Americans, did not shoot at all like we do now and they not only survived but thrived. Yeah, you have some beautiful bows and I know that you make them. You keep on keeping on. Yeah, I don't want to have to think about the shot other than taking it, focus focus focus, practice practice practice. Shine on Brother

[@niksutherland4280]

Probably sound like an a****** but I came here to watch the video and settled with everything I got from this comment. Very wise words my friend

[@Daylon91]

Woodland/Coastal indians had longer bows that they would draw past their ear. Not snap shoot. Plains tribes/desert tribes would snap shoot because of the tiny draw their bows had. Many tribes shoot like we do now.

[@Daylon91]

@@niksutherland4280 He summed up all natives in one category of being snap shooters whereas many were not. "The Florida Indians had bows taller than a man and thick as a man's arm. Being able to draw past the ear they shoot arrows deep into their targets"

[@bobbyglass7214]

Great video as I’m returning to trad as I haven’t shot in 20 years or more. I lost my first arrow on first shot. I was like well, what should I expect. Haven’t lost another yet but staying close to target 10, 15 yards to hone in. Having issues with arrow flight though. Your videos are full of great information and I hope to have that sorted out soon. My draw length is 28.5 inches and pulling 40 # at 28 bear Kodiak Magnum (1971). Anyway I really enjoy the videos. Just purchased a black widow PSAX 38 pounds at 28 inches. Should arrive today. I’m not hunting just targets and going back to 3D shooting at some point. Anyway, recommendations for the spine of an arrow at 38 pounds and my draw length? Point me to any of your videos regarding this? Gif Bless from FL

[@briangammons8242]

Hey Jeff. What glove is that you’re shooting. I’m struggling to find a glove that I like. Thanks.

[@wjl2068]

3 under is accurate but to me it doesn't feel natural. Split finger is the way to go. Instinctive is the purest and most rewarding form of archery to me.

[@mattedwards4533]

I have watched many video on archery and I must say yours was one of the best if not the best I have watched! One thing that you didn't mention was tuning the bow. The problem is a new bow shooter has a huge hill to climb to tune their bow. If you can't shoot how can you tune your bow? It is the hardest thing one must do but it is a must do part . I was a bow shooter and I shot the same as you do. I mostly shot long bows but I also used a Brackenbury recurve. I won a N.C. state championship with the recurve. I have thrown away boxes of trophys that were gathering dust. I made self bows just to increase the challenge. I have taken many animals, rabbits, squirrels,deer and hogs. I never got a bear although I saw one down on the east coast of N.C. that was to far away never giving me a shot. It was the biggest bear I have ever seen as well. I probably have missed more than most people have ever shot but it paid off. I got to where my shot was made in my mind before the bow was ever raised up to shoot . I can no longer shoot a bow and miss it terribly. Age and medical problems took it away.I hope people will look at how you shoot and learn. I totally agree with how you shoot a bow. You sure bought back a lot of memories they were pleasant times recalled. Thanks!

[@jimscott64]

Hi Jeff. I would like to make a comment here with regard to hunting. That bow you guy's built for me is a dream. I have been shooting every day since I got it. I have gotten to a point where I can stand at 10 to 15 yards and group arrows into a two inch circle all day. But with hunting season coming up, I have changed my routine. I shoot in my shop and throughout the day as I walk into the shop, I will grab my bow and shoot one arrow. Then maybe two or three hours later I will do the same. If I am lucky enough to get within 20 yards of a bull elk, I can't stand there and shoot half a dozen arrows to get stretched out and warmed up. I'm only going to get one shot. So shooting one arrow every few hours tells me if I'm doing things right or if I have a problem somewhere. So in my mind I feel like this is a good way to practice for hunting. What do you think? Jim

[@jarridcarter5001]

Your gonna get at least one person on here thats going to explain to you why calling it instinctive is wrong. I dont understand why describing it this way bothers people so bad but it does lol. I feel like some of them are bitter because they didn't want to put in the time it takes to be accurate this way so they try to put it down any way they can. Its definitely harder but to me more satisfying. People want to be good fast so they switch to 3 under, then gap, then string walking etc. The challenge is why I enjoy it.

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

Your absolutely right but it doesn’t bother me anymore lol I love the way I’ve chosen to do it and it’s really fun!

[@jarridcarter5001]

@@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998 yes sir! Keep the videos coming!

[@garyr.4626]

"If I wasn't shooting purely instinctive, I would go back to a compound". ... I literally had this conversation yesterday with a compound archer who is thinking of going trad... I feel the same way. I can go in my yard, shoot my compound 3 times, and say... your, sights are on. My trad bows, I can shoot al evening and enjoy the last shot as much as the first.

[@mikewolfe6496]

15-25 yard rule! Haven’t heard that for a while but it’s pretty accurate. I prefer under 15. Lol

[@cottrellshuntingandtrappin3016]

I am new to your channel. I have been shooting instinctive now for about 3 weeks. I shoot a bear grizzly. I am never going back to my compound.

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

Man that’s so awesome! Thanks for watching brother and I wish you a very successful season with the Grizzly 👍🏻

[@travelcompass591]

Very inspiring video, thank you :-) --- Could you please post the make and model of the bow you use in this video? --- I started archery very recently - for hunting - by buying the cheapest metal riser recurve in the market, which turned out to be a very nice 1100 grams instrument. Now planning on moving up from 30 to 40 pounds to deliver heavier arrows, and being less stingy :-) I tried better quality recurves (Tbow...) but they were too heavy and stiff for what it feels right for me. Then I discovered the “wood riser” recurves, some even with ILF and they were lighter. Which is why I ask your to provide the specs for the one you use in this video. There are soo many bows in the market right now that to research the specs of even a percentage of all of them can be mind boggling. I can see now that ultimate goal will be a classic, thin, one-piece bow like the one you feature in most of your videos I have seen, but for my current learning process and easiness to fit in a pack I will stick to recurves till I feel ready for a one soul bow.

[@Todzilla386]

What i love about this video is that you make it clear that any style is ok.

[@huntfishexplore7636]

After a bit of practice at instinctive I wasn't consistent enough to hunt. I would only hit bullseye most of the time but I could have off days. So I switched to fixed crawl. Problem solved.

[@timhatfield6367]

Here's your hate mail ! I hate it when your videos are over. You,Da'man Brother!

[@redcloud870]

We grew up playing in the mountains of New Mexico as a child. Many of us kids had recurve bows. Maybe I am old and delusional... now at 57 yrs old I remember being a much better instinctive shooter when I was a kid. Been getting away from my mechanical bows, and I have a few. Just picking up a recurve again feels so much better. Although I am off my target a lot more than I like... I am getting better with practice. What I find with myself is when I knock and arrow, pull and release I am on target more than when I stand there and trying to think things out and making adjustment. Seems like I am shoot much better at longer distances. Anyways, I appreciate you sharing your knowledge and pointers. I am headed outside right now to fling a few arrows! Thank you for making your videos. Clifford in NM.

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

That’s a great story! I hope your journey will be successful and fulfilling!

[@gregavanessian4846]

Every word you have said in your videos has helped me to be a better archer. Thank you. You are a gentleman and a schooler.

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

Thank you so very much!

[@Deanmj9]

Hi Jeff. I like the idea about instinctive shooting. You are right. We all our preference. I shoot a lot too.

[@eastonwinship2016]

Going to be my first bow season with a traditional. Wish me luck 👍

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

Congratulations my friend! Yes sir and it’ll be fun for you just be patient and wait on the right shot when the time comes!

[@allenrussell1947]

I really, really tried gap and I just could not do it. I'd shoot a few arrows and embarrass myself, then look at the place I wanted to hit, draw back and bam, right where I was looking. Thanks for the video Jeff.

[@claudiapank9762]

Great video! I love instinctive shooting, doing it on a daily base. Greetings from Germany

[@todlew3238]

Great explanation of picking a spot. That remains my last hurdle. I'm effective at the aspirin size holes in my targets as my focus point. Now I'll teach myself to imagine a spot on the chest. Imagination of target being alive and focus on an imagined heart. That's what I took from your explanation. 👍🤔

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

Exactly 😁👍🏻

[@rhhf7685]

The struggle is what makes it worth it for me getting consistent. And most of all enjoying it

[@robertcarpenter5194]

Hunting in general anymore to me has become so commercialized that a lot of the human skill has been taken out of the equation that's why I think people are wanting to go traditional

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

Exactly! Every time I watch some mainstream shows it’s always the same unrealistic and commercialized stuff hardly ever real as it happens and what it’s all about especially for the public land hunters all over the country.

[@Maddie_Madds]

I'm looking forward to your upcoming Arrow set up video you mentioned. I was going to order some Arrow parts tonight for my 45lb takedown bow, but if your Arrow advice is as good as your shooting, then I'm waiting until I watch your Arrow video first 🔥🏹

[@paulharding1621]

Sir, loving your tuition, I may have said it before but I’m catching up with your videos. In the UK I’m a rifle hunter, just recently taken up archery with a recurve bow for 3D ( bow hunting is not legal here). I’m trying to be instinctive but my rifle and pistol shooting somewhat counters that.

[@FredHWalker]

Love it, I agree %100. Thank you for sharing. Always good to hear confirmation for how one shoots. Super from Ontario Canada.

[@Zatracenec]

Another great video. I struggle with the form, so videos like this really help. Thank You very much. Your shooting is phenomenal!

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

Thanks for watching brother just keep working on it, I have to as well 😁

[@tjhoss6729]

Great video... Totally agree...👍

[@LexLuthor1234]

Thank you very much for this video 🙂

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

Yes sir! Thanks so much for watching!👍🏻

[@monte4150]

Excellent video! Thanks buddy.

[@markgiles5426]

Thank you sir Appreciate your time, has really helped me and I’m sure others. I’m still trying to harvest a deer here in Texas, took them every other way. Traditional is a journey for sure keep up the video please sir. As always JESUS

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

Thank you so much and hopefully you’ll get that opportunity very soon my friend!

[@RonaldStancil-w3b]

Enjoy your videos for more reasons than one but primarily u never forget to give the Lord His due. Was wondering do u also shoot a longbow? I enjoy mixing it up.

[@jupiter8404]

Couldn’t agree with you more. Great video. Great shooting.

[@tomvawter4531]

Great tutorial and content! God bless you more importantly. I'll apply your principles as i gear up for this coming bow season. 🙏✝️🕊

[@dennispalmer8622]

Thanks for all your easy explanations of shooting instinctive!

[@mikebalos4749]

Another great video Jeff. I was taught to shoot split finger and instinctive from my dad. I have passed that method on to our kids and grandkids and my wife as well.

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

Amen!

[@grampsoutdooradventuresdal7104]

Thank you for staying present for those of us that have always enjoyed your input. I have been a split finger/instinctive archer for a very long time. This summer I decided to commit to shooting and hunting with the 3 under style. Two months of practice and I was shooting very well, however… with deer season closing in I just could not resist the urge to return to my old instinctive/split finger style. It just feels so comfortable to me and, in my opinion a huge bonus is that the shot is quieter. So important in hunting these jittery New England deer. I enjoy your videos very much, keep putting them out. Thank you

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

Lol that’s what I’m talking about! It is right upon us now, time to get ready for sure!😁

[@matthewy8923]

Thank you very much!

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

You’re welcome brother!

[@SuitAndTieGuy88]

Alright man dang, you've talked me into it! I'm getting a glove to replace my tab and trying split finger as soon as I get off today 😎

[@tonycooper4031]

For most of us it's not about instinctive. It's about the flight of the arrow hitting where we aim. Be it gap, crawl or instinctive. The fun is hitting where we are aiming.

[@bernardfernandez6172]

Thank you for sharing 👍

[@randyanderson5299]

Good information 👍.

[@houndstoothgamecalls8870]

Good stuff! 💯

[@QueenBeeBia]

Hello Jeff, thank you for that Video! I almost gave up. I used to shoot a Compound, but i hurt my Shoulder really bad. So i took a 6 month break to let it heal good. Now i startet with a 18 lbs Recurve to build everthing slow and nice up.And i love the Recurve more now than my Eva Shockey Compound :)-sry Eva ^^- But i was struggling the last 2-3 month so bad. I almost gave up til i saw that Video. Thanks for the work you put up here, i am very garteful- sry my english is not so well- God bless you -Greetings from Germany

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

Awesome! Thank you and I will keep bringing the videos your way my friend!

[@jeffmartin3327]

When I shoot split , my arrow comes off the shelf. Which is telling me I have a hook issue. Torque or something…

[@vincenaccarato5833]

Hi Jeff I love your videos they are full of info and I love them ! If you have time can you explain how your release can cause right and left hits as well as how you grip the bow also can cause right and left shots ! God bless Vince

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

Thanks Vince I sure will brother and yes they do affect it.

[@UtiliTerran]

I shot 'split-finger instinctive' for most of my life but switched to '3-under gap' in the last year or so and saw immediate improvement in accuracy and consistency. But to your point, I'm lucky if I can shoot once every couple of weeks. Your instinctive shooting is very impressive.

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

Thank you and I encourage whatever works best for you 100% 👍🏻

[@UtiliTerran]

@@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998 I will say this, when shoot instinctively and hit your target it feels like having a super power. So you're right-on about the fun factor, I just hit what I'm aiming for more often with '3 under gap' at my practice level.

[@donniehopkins8439]

I too shoot instinctively something I have always wanted to try is set a lighted nock or some lit object out in the pitch black and shoot before your night vision kicks in. Do you think that will tell just how instinctive we are?

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

Yes sir I’ve done it myself and it really does!

[@Art-dt1xw]

Pure common sense. Good instructions

[@kennylainhart7148]

Great advice Jeff!!!!

[@ironmikehallowween]

Instinctive shooting is the only reason I shoot a recurve. I don’t see the point at all otherwise.

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

Me too brother but there are a lot of guys that are way more into competition these days than actual hunting and I do agree that aiming methods are very effective It’s just not for me as well, I feel the same way about it in other words if I went to an aiming system I’d just shoot a compound but that’s just me lol 😁

[@Danny-el8ww]

I'd say for anyone starting off with a recurve, keep with a compound until you're 100% confident you can ethically dispatch an animal with it. I love recurve shooting for target practice, but I think I will stick to a compound for hunting. the reason for this is if you're going to take the life of an animal you should do it in the most ethical way possible. a compound shoots at much faster speeds and has a lower chance of messing up a shot. does it take less skill? sure but hone your skills on 3d targets. don't risk making an animal suffer just because you have something to prove. if you've been shooting traditional for years and can guarantee your shot placement then by all means. but I find it a bit scary people are getting recurves and want to go out the same year with them.

[@eddiefirst9410]

Your fooling yourself. I believe people, not all people shooting compound will take more unethical shots at long distance. Therefore just as equal to lose a deer as much if not more than a traditional archer waiting on a close shot with no sights. I switched from the compound and sold it the same week I bought the recurve. I've taken several and lost a few. You will lose animals with either for sure. You will never know when you're ready until you go and get the shot opportunity. Noone likes to lose an animal. Worse feeling in the world. Oh, before I go gun hunters wound em too. Not bashing you or anyone, just my 2 cents

[@terrymattson3587]

I’ve shot instinctive for most my life, then I went through much loose in life and something happened and I could not shoot good anymore. I switched to split vision and three under. It helped me to shoot again. But I want to go back now to split finger, I hope that I can keep slit vision with it. I worked hard on my form. I cannot use the Olympic form whatsoever. It doesn’t work for me. I did order a lighter weight longbow. I can’t wait to get it. Thanks for the good video.

[@SuitAndTieGuy88]

I shoot 3 under, I strike like lightning split finger. I never hit the same place twice 🤣.

[@aggroalex5470]

I shoot instinct on a traditional horn bow no shelf and bare string with thumb draw. This keeps the bow in the left hand and arrow on the right side of the bow. How I was taught is when you throw a rock do you look at the rock or the target?

[@MONKLJ]

I thought you had to shut down your site I see this was posted today 29/8/2022 have you or not shut down?

[@stevesoutdoorworld4340]

Great talk thanks for sharing!

[@tommybarrios3307]

Greetings Jeff, I have started watching your videos and they are great. I have gone from a compound bow, to a cross bow, and now a long bow, and am very excited to take it on. I have a Bear Ausable, 64 inch, 45 lbs long bow. I know it will take a lot of practice and muscle memory, but being able to watch videos such as this one sure gives me great inspiration to work on it. I am focusing on shooting instinctively because I am right handed yet left eye dominant and so I can use all the tips I can get. Any suggestions would be very much welcomed. Thank you for your videos and for taking the time to share your wisdom. Tommy B.

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

Absolutely! And the best advice I can give is to start out close and develop your process that works for you brother 👍🏻

[@tommybarrios3307]

@@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998 Thank you for your response and the support.

[@rebelrye]

Jeff, thank you for being a Christian based archer. That's the biggest reason I download your videos. You've got a lot of good information for me to save. You and yours have a blessed day and life.