Bowhunting: Use a Dual Anchor Point

by
posted on May 24, 2019
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
know-how-dualanchorpoint_lead.jpg

The bedrock of accuracy with any bow lies in developing and maintaining consistent shooting form, and one of the most vital facets of solid form is using a precise anchor point. Anchor point is the interface between the bowstring and drawing hand (including release aid, tab or shooting glove), and face at full draw.

Your anchor point must be infallible, highly repeatable and intuitive. It must feel completely comfortable and remain unforced. But it must also prove as consistent as a Swiss watch. You can do everything else exactly right, but without a consistent anchor point you will never shoot your best. Using a varying anchor point could be likened to shooting a rifle with iron sights that shift between shots. When shooting a modern compound bow, moving your anchor point also shifts the bowstring, to which the peep sight is attached.

Your anchor point should be grounded on an immoveable anatomical object: your ear, teeth, nose tip, cheekbone or jaw. I can’t tell you exactly where to anchor, as every shooter and bow setup is different. Generally, archers aiming with sights anchor lower on their face than those aiming instinctively. A viable anchor point minimizes bowstring contact with your anatomy and gear.

Taking it a step further, I recommend adopting both a primary and secondary, or dual, anchor point. I’ve found a dual anchor point results in tighter arrow groups, especially under pressure, and it helps extend maximum effective range.

While shooting a traditional bow with fingers, for example, I pull my index finger into the corner of my mouth to contact an interior molar and rest my thumb joint beneath my jawbone as a secondary checkpoint. With a compound bow and release aid, I plug my index-finger knuckle into the hollow behind my ear and hook my thumb joint around the rear point of my jaw. A friend snugs his bowstring fingers under his cheekbone and presses his thumb knuckle firmly into his ear opening.

It’s all a matter of feel, as everyone’s hands and face are built differently. Ultimately, a dual anchor point will help you achieve 100 percent repeatability, which will translate into better shooting. 

Latest

Lead Photo 02
Lead Photo 02

Head to Head: 7x57mm Mauser vs. .30-06 Springfield

I’ve had more than a few requests for this Head to Head, so I figured it was high time to pit two of the early 20th century’s most popular military cartridges against one another. Let's dive into the 7x57mm Mauser vs. the .30-06 Springfield.

NRA Hunter Education FREE Online Course Now Available in Louisiana

The National Rifle Association of America’s award-winning free Hunter Education online course is now available in the State of Louisiana, the latest addition as NRA works to make the course available to hunters in all 50 states.

Moultrie Updates Line of Game Feeders

Moultrie has expanded the capacity of its line of feeders, and bettered the cameras' integration with the company's connected technology to streamline the feeding process.

Building the Ultimate Elk Bow

Elk are remarkable creatures that dwell in some of the most hellish landscapes on earth. An elk bow needs to be tough, light, and ultra-accurate. Here's how to build the right one for you.

First Look: Spandau S2 20-Gauge

Spandau Arms, a brand of SDS Arms, has announced that the  Spandau S2 Shotgun is now available in a 20-gauge model in both a Mossy Oak Bottomland and a traditional wood finish.

Count Some Quail, Tally Some Turkeys

The Arkansas turkey season ended in May, but there’s still good reason for hunters and outdoor enthusiasts to keep the birds in mind when they head out to their favorite hiking trail or drive the backroads of The Natural State. Outdoorsmen who scare up coveys of quail are welcome in the survey as well.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.