How to Sight a Longbow

Accurately sighting a longbow marks the difference between a novice and a skilled archer. Looking down the shaft of the arrow and keeping your eyes on the target at all times is critical. The real trick to sighting a longbow is combining a solid, secure stance with a smooth progression from placing the arrow into the bowstring, to aiming the arrow, to releasing it.

Things You'll Need

  • Longbow
  • 27-inch arrow
  • Target
  • Hay bale
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Instructions

    • 1

      Set up your target on a clear day with no wind. If possible, attach the target to a hay bale to stop the arrows.

    • 2

      Standing about 20 feet from the target, insert the arrow into the bowstring using the notch at the back of the arrow. This is called "nocking" the arrow. Use a straight arrow with no imperfections or bends. A 27-inch, composite arrow with a shaft made of aluminum and carbon is ideal. Be sure the arrow has undamaged fletchings (feathers) that can disrupt the arrow's flow.

    • 3

      Wrap your front hand tightly around the center of the handle of the bow. Rest the front of the arrow on the arrow shelf on top of the handle.

    • 4

      Plant your back foot directly behind your front foot. Your feet should be shoulder-width apart. Stand with both feet pointed to the side, 90 degrees opposite the target. Turn your hips and upper body to face the target.

    • 5

      Lightly place the index finger of your bow hand over the front of the arrow shaft to hold the arrow in place on the shelf of the bow handle. Be sure the arrow is in a straight line from front to back -- from tip to nock.

    • 6

      Pinch the nock with your free hand between the first knuckles of the index finger and middle finger. Tuck your thumb into your palm.

    • 7

      Raise the bow arm upward at a 45-degree angle. Extend your front arm so the elbow is straight and draw the bow string back to your jaw as you simultaneously lower the bow to a level position. The arrow should now be completely parallel to the ground.

    • 8

      Keep the eye open closest to the arrow and close the other eye. Stare down the shaft of the arrow and aim the tip at the center of the target.

    • 9

      Slowly unwrap your front index finger and place it beneath the shelf of the handle with your other fingers. Stay focused on the target. To launch the arrow, allow the fingers holding the arrow to slip off. All three fingers must release at the same time.

    • 10

      Back up 15 feet if you hit dead center. Repeat the stance, draw and release. Gradually move your start point further back until, when aiming at dead center, the arrow begins veering off to the left or right. Remember that distance from the target for hunting purposes.

    • 11

      At greater distances, aim the arrow slightly off-center to the left or right, depending on the previous tendencies of flight. If arrows tend to the right, adjust your aim to the left. If your arrows tend to the left, move the aim right. Continue shooting until you find the right off-center aim.

    • 12

      Aim just above center -- in addition to your other adjustments -- if you find the arrow drifting downward before hitting the target. This accounts for the arc of the arrow's flight at a greater distance.