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Shooting Confusion.

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JBL:
I have been shooting a 56" osage/sinew backed bow for about 6mos now and was getting pretty accurate 4-6" groups at 20 paces consitently.  The other day i went to the range and still being a new guy; got alot of advice and now I can't hit the barn let alone the broadside of it.  My question is this-what I was doing is as I bring the bow up I was "aiming" and when I got to my anchor (middle finger to corner of mouth) I would shoot.  I "think" I had a consitent anchor and I was getting decent results but I was told I needed to hold at anchor-this has thrown my timing way off and has added another thing for me to think about.  I also thought that with a self or primitive bow it was best to shoot as I was in one fluid motion.  I know there are different styles of shooting and I need to use what is best for me the question is how many hold and how many shoot in one fluid motion?  There are plenty of books on "traditional" archery shooting but is there one that focuses more on the so called primitive aspect?  I know in TBB2 Asbell wrote a chapter but that was more about arrow spine/selection I did find it very informative.  I have also read "Bent Stick" by Comstock.  Howard Hill's "Hunting the Hard Way" also has a chapter but it does not go into to much depth about anchoring and holding. I was wondering if Horace Ford's book would help.  Thank you in advance.

hawkbow:
I am no expert brother, but i believe we as archers should shoot the way that is comfortable to us as individuals.. advise is good concerning proper form and basic technique.. but if your personal accuracy and therefore confidence, declines go back to what you were doing.. instinctive shooting is just that... instinctive...no aiming or real technique required.. just shoot the bow , have fun  and instinct will take over... Hawk a/ho

Pat B:
I agree with Hawk. If you were shooting well then continue shooting the way you are most comfortable. Anyone that says you have to do it this way or that way is wrong IMO. When I shoot, I do as you. I draw to the corner of my mouth and as soon as I touch the arrow is gone. If I find myself short drawing then I will purposefully hold at full draw for a second or so but it is a training method and not the way I shoot.
   The secret to instinctive shooting,IMO, is to get the mechanics of your style of shooting(whatever it is)down so when the time comes to put that arrow through your quarry all you have to do is concentrate on where the arrow WILL go. Everything else should happen without conscience thought...instinctive!   
   I have a friend that draws to his chest and shoots very well. Is he shooting with the wrong style. I wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of the shot! :o       Pat

JBL:
Thanks for the input.  I had my daughter video tape my shooting and I have been hitting the anchor and like I said I thought 4-6" groups at 20yds was getting pretty good. I have a friend who shoots with a thumb ring and there is no break from the time he draws until the time the arrow is loose off his bow, and as you say I would not want to be on the receiving end.  In my profession we have an old saying "different ships different long splices", and I just wasn't sure if that was the case here or if I was missing something.  Thanks again.

Pat B:
4" to 6" groups at 20 paces is good. If you are consistent with that then you have nothing to worry about.   I don't like shooting groups. Even at a target butt I don't shoot for the same spot with each arrow. Just before hunting season I shoot only one shot at a time, at a target and see if I can put it where it should be. That one shot is usually all you will get so it is the most important. When shooting groups your first arrow is intended for a particular spot. Any shots after that can be effected by the existence of the other arrows in the target. My opinion.    Pat

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