shooting both eyes open

[Bonedalien]

today at the range,on a whim,at full draw decided to open my left eye. not sure why ive never tried this,always working on something else maybe?
It instantly tightend my groups.My theory is it improved my form,as i could watch my arrow into the target better. Would like to hear some more thoughts,or theories on this.

 

[Craig Van Arsdale]

Yep. Bow both open and gun one closed.

 

[Ranger619]

I am working on changing to this method. It has been somewhat difficult due to years of muscle memory/habit. I have seen some improvement too. I think part of the improved groups for me is my eyes are not what they once were and having both open just helps me see the target better.

 

[AK Troutbum]

I'll be giving this a try tomorrow, I've never shot with both eyes open either rifle or bow, but I'm going to try it with my bow tomorrow.

 

[USMC2602]

Never even considered this, not sure why not, just didn't. I'll be giving it a try this weekend.

 

[Bonedalien]

i should say that i still got on target with one eye closed, getting my peep and sight ring lined up,pins on target,then opened my left eye.

 

[amp713]

ya ive seen alot of guys say to shoot with both open: Dudley, Ulmer, Adams, big names not just guys locally. However ive been having real trouble with it... idk if its the way i line up or if my eyes just are off but it breaks my concentration and blurs my vision if i try for long... I can do it once or twice in a row if i shoot quick but after that i just start shooting wildly

 

[littlebuf]

I always thought both eyes open was standard technique? Surprised to see this is a new concept to some. I've never not shot with both eyes open with anything but a scoped rifle. Hand gun, bow and open sight rifles have always been two eyes on the target. If your not shooting this way you need to start. It will greatly improve your shooting

 

[Roy68]

I have no input from the archery standpoint. However, shooting hand guns, rifles (no optics)or shot gun I have both eyes open. I'm working on this with scoped rifles, but have only been able to let my non dominate eye relax in a soft 1/2 closed state. For me I have found that my dominate eye takes over but I'm much more aware of visual cues at the target plus the surroundings. Example I've held on target and seen movement of other animals coming I to the shooting lane etc. A few times something has caused for pause in the shot because of the second eye being open.

I didn't learn like this but started trying it after getting into sporting clays and talking to others that were semi professional. The reasons varied from each individual but for me I could find the second target much faster. My eyes don't tire as quickly either now. I also think a shotgun was the easiest firearm to try this with. Iron sights and optics take more effort because of the short distance from eye to rear sight or optical end of the scope. For me, like others stated, the muscle memory is hard to over come.

 

[Roy68]

Should have added that once I got used to it I'm not anymore accurate, just more acutely aware of my surroundings which is a positive thing with any firearm.

 

[tipsntails7]

ya ive seen alot of guys say to shoot with both open: Dudley, Ulmer, Adams, big names not just guys locally. However ive been having real trouble with it... idk if its the way i line up or if my eyes just are off but it breaks my concentration and blurs my vision if i try for long... I can do it once or twice in a row if i shoot quick but after that i just start shooting wildly

How is your breathing amp? Eyesight greatly deteriorates if you deprive your brain of oxygen. Also I think you would be surprised how many guys shoot looking at the target with blurred pins. I know I do and quite a few "PRO" guys do as well. I noticed when I used both eyes and went to a hinge for real backtension I can actually shoot better then my float or aim. It took a LONG time for me to trust it and I still don't do it all the time, but when I do I shoot much much better. It's got something to do with both eyes targeting and millisecond corrections we make as the shot goes off.

 

[Wapiti66]

I have shot (bow) with both eyes open for a few years now. I also relax my non-dominant eye and its 1/2 closed. It has helped somewhat with groups, but it is has helped lots on keeping aware of the surroundings and following the arrow in flight.

 

[rodney.black]

I shoot my bow with bow eyes open, one eye open messes me up

 

[mt100gr.]

Keeping both eyes open gives you the depth perception you brain needs to "see" the target. For me it also helps my balance and in my peripheral vision I can do all the visual checks of gear, form, etc. It also lets you look "through" your peep and sight (as in the peep basically disappears as a fuzzy halo and all you see is the entire target and your pin) when I switched to both eyes open my shooting improved dramatically. I definitely recommend training your body to shoot this way if you aren't already.

If you struggle at first, try drawing your bow and settling your pin with both eyes open and then letting down. Do this until it's comfortable. Your brain needs to learn that this is how you want to view the target and aiming devices. Start shooting arrows once it feels natural to aim this way.

 

[mt100gr.]

How is your breathing amp? Eyesight greatly deteriorates if you deprive your brain of oxygen. Also I think you would be surprised how many guys shoot looking at the target with blurred pins. I know I do and quite a few "PRO" guys do as well. I noticed when I used both eyes and went to a hinge for real backtension I can actually shoot better then my float or aim. It took a LONG time for me to trust it and I still don't do it all the time, but when I do I shoot much much better. It's got something to do with both eyes targeting and millisecond corrections we make as the shot goes off.

Agree with this, too. You have to trust the floating pin AND your body to keep your arrow on target. Even if your shaking like a leaf, your body will make these corrections and "guide" your arrow at the last fraction of a second as the shot breaks if you execute the shot the same way every time. Also, focus very hard on "picking a spot"

I focus on the target (blurry pins) and pick a spot. If I focus on the pins (blurry target) I don't shoot nearly as well. Your eyes can't focus on both at once when they are yards apart.

 

[justin davis]

Both eyes open is a must for accuracy

 

[justinspicher]

I also thought this was a bit odd to find out that this is a newer concept for some folks. I have always shot with both eyes open, regardless of the weapons system. With that being said, I have also had to teach many folks how to do this. For you guys with opposite hand/eye dominancy issues or even just trying to learn to shoot with both eyes open effectively, try using an eye patch or a dark lens in your glasses. This will allow your eye to remain open but not take over the eye you are using. You will definitely look ridiculous, but it won't take long for your eyes to adjust and you'll end up shooting better in the long run.

 

[amp713]

How is your breathing amp? Eyesight greatly deteriorates if you deprive your brain of oxygen. Also I think you would be surprised how many guys shoot looking at the target with blurred pins. I know I do and quite a few "PRO" guys do as well. I noticed when I used both eyes and went to a hinge for real backtension I can actually shoot better then my float or aim. It took a LONG time for me to trust it and I still don't do it all the time, but when I do I shoot much much better. It's got something to do with both eyes targeting and millisecond corrections we make as the shot goes off.

I stay breathing as far as i know and like i said im good for one maybe two shots but after that its almost like..... I went and shot real quick to get a good reminder..... Its like they are fighting for dominance almost? Like my peep, pin and even buble go WAY blurry and the target from my left eye comes in clear then they switch back. I was ok the first 4 shots, it didnt really happen, but after that it started to make my head spin going in and out of focus one side to the other. Maybe its just me not being used to it? I had kinda gave up on trying it, maybe Ill give it another shot.

 

[amp713]

I will say also that i focus on the target not my pin when shooting, this year ive tried a hinge release but its so dang windy where i live this time of the year its hard to switch it up and know if it was you or the wind plus sometimes it really went off without warning cuz the wind would hit you enough that you pulled... plan to spend more time with the hinge this summer when the wind isnt so bad.

 

[unm1136]

I always thought both eyes open was standard technique? Surprised to see this is a new concept to some. I've never not shot with both eyes open with anything but a scoped rifle. Hand gun, bow and open sight rifles have always been two eyes on the target. If your not shooting this way you need to start. It will greatly improve your shooting

When I went through the police academy 15 years ago, very little attention was paid to this. A former USN SEAL sniper was in my class, and he mentioned both eyes open, even behind a big scope on a bolt gun. When I started teaching firearms, I was always told that it was better to keep both eyes open, but to close (one instructor used the term "shade" or slightly close) the non dominant eye to get into the habit of chasing the right image, if that helped in the accuracy department. Results were more important than process. My prescription made it a little difficult to do, as both eyes are very close in prescription, with various minor issues at different distances. I decided that I needed to learn both eyes open, and shading my eye was not very effective for me. Dry fire practice with a bolt gun and a low power scope really helped sort me out. Shading became easier and eventually both eyes open was no problem. I still catch myself shading my non dominant eye when trying to hit small targets at speed, but each practice session makes it easier.

This year will be my first trip back into bow hunting in almost 30 years, and I am looking forward to it. I will be using both eyes open.

pat