Why Are My Arrows Hitting Left?

Question: I am trying to zero my bow sight and shoot in my new compound bow, but my arrows are hitting to the left on the target.  What am I doing wrong or what is wrong with the bow?

When you’re trying to zero your bow sight and notice your arrows are shooting to the left, it might feel a bit frustrating. But don’t worry, this is a common issue and there are a few things you can check to fix it.

Here’s what might be happening:

1. Bow Sight Adjustment: First, make sure your bow sight is adjusted correctly. If your arrows are hitting to the left, you might need to move your sight to the left. This might sound backward, but moving the sight in the direction you want your arrows to go can help correct their path.
2. Check Your Stance: Sometimes, the way you stand can affect where your arrows land. Make sure you’re standing straight and your feet are positioned correctly, shoulder-width apart. This helps you keep the bow steady when you shoot.
3. Grip: Your grip on the bow can also make a difference. Holding the bow too tightly or not in the right position can make your arrows go off to the side. Try to keep a relaxed grip and make sure your hand position is consistent with each shot.
4. Release Technique: The way you release the arrow can cause it to go left or right. Make sure you’re releasing the string smoothly. If you jerk or twist your hand when you let go, the arrow might not go straight.
5. Arrow Rest: Check to see if your arrow rest is properly aligned. If it’s too far to one side, it can push your arrows off course. It should be set up so your arrows are straight and centered with the bow.
6. Practice: Sometimes, it just takes a bit of practice to get everything working together. The more you practice, the better you’ll get at keeping your shots consistent.

If that doesn’t work:

When your arrows keep shooting to the left as you’re trying to zero your bow sight and shoot in your new compound bow, there are a couple of extra steps you can take to figure out what’s going on and fix it: paper tuning and nock tuning. These methods help make sure your arrows fly straight and hit where you’re aiming.

Paper Tuning: This is like a detective tool for seeing how your arrow flies right after it leaves your bow. You shoot an arrow through a piece of paper set up a few feet in front of you. The tear in the paper shows if your arrow is flying straight or if it’s wobbling. If the tear shows that the arrow went through the paper at an angle, it means something’s off. By adjusting your bow based on the kind of tear you see, you can get your arrows to fly straight and hit the target right where you want.

Nock Tuning: This involves slightly turning the nock (the part of the arrow that attaches to the string) and shooting again to see if there’s an improvement in how the arrow flies. Sometimes, just a small adjustment to the nock can make a big difference in correcting the arrow’s path. It’s all about finding the best position for the nock that makes the arrow fly true.

Both paper tuning and nock tuning are about making small changes and testing the results. They help you understand exactly how your arrows are flying and what you can do to improve their accuracy. It’s a bit like solving a puzzle – each adjustment gets you closer to having your arrows fly perfectly straight.

If you’re new to these tuning methods, it might be helpful to ask for advice from someone experienced or look up some tutorials to guide you through the process. With a little patience and practice, you’ll be able to fine-tune your bow and arrows to shoot accurately and consistently hit your target.