Man thanks for showing how to gap shoot. I use to shoot instinctive but was never real good at it. But a couple months ago i watched ur videos and tried gap shooting. My shooting has improved 100 percent. So yesterday i went hunting with my Bear Cheyenne Recurve and harvested a Big Red Boar. I was tickled. Thanks again man for teaching ur method of shooting!
I'm going to try that method just for the heck of it, Clay. I think it might be helpful. What I was taught was to pick a spot and imagine a point the size of a bb. The bow pointed towards the ground, push pull the bow as you draw to your anchor point. Hesitate to make sure you're rock solid and release. Sometimes it helps to close your eyes and concentrate on the release. With lots of practice it works pretty darn well, especially with a heavy bow. But I always limited my bow range to no more than 25 yards and tried to get within 15. Works great on the ground but I always tended to shoot high from a tree stand.
Awsome. Perfectly explained... getting tired of missing. Although wanting to shoot instinctively I'll give gap a try and 3 fingers under. After an eye injury on my right eye my left one seems to wanna take over the eye domination... throws my instinct off... gap might help
I'm going to have to try this at some point. I've been at this since July and committed myself to instinctive shooting. It's been frustrating at times. Great video!
Clay, Thanks for a clear explanation. Here's what I've found that works for me. Please share it . I am 69 yo... old AND weaker these days...shoot sinewed bows , 3 fingers under with a 2 - point anchor... knuckle of the top finger in the notch under my ear and nose on the feather, 45 # @ 26 ". My 29 " arrow ( Tonkin cane) produces point - on at 20 yds. , approx. an arrow diameter high at 25 - 27 and an arrow diameter low at15 yds. . The longer arrow has greatly decreased my need to significantly change the gap. I don't shoot animals further than 30 yds, so it works for me. By the way, I hold about 1 1/2 arrow diameters at 30 yds. May sound complicated, but even a simpleton like me can do this quickly and consistently. I hope this helps someone. Just learn what 20 yds looks like and go from there ! Warmest Regards, Ron
Thank you for this information Cliff, this is a paradox I was trying to get my mind around. The concept that for most distances at the end and beginning two of them would have us aiming at the same spot with "point on" being a dividing line because of the arrows' arc.
Just found your channel. Enjoy it very much. Am getting back into archery after a very long layoff. If I were to shoot in backyard here in Los Angeles, I would be arrested for sure! You’re very lucky to have that beautiful countryside there.
Love the videos Clay. I make hickory long bows and recurve bows. I have shot instinctive for a few years now. I am going to try gap shooting to see if i can increase my accuracy and range. I am looking forward to the practical hunting application video using gap shooting.
Clay,nice job,great video,finally a video I can agree on,I have been shooting this way for forty years,I get picked on all the time,but it always worked for me,keep up the great WORK,hope to see more videos from you will be following thanks again
Clay, I'm curious to know what you are using as your "point". I may not being using the correct anchor or head in wrong place...but I can not see the end or "point" of my arrow...just a large blunt end while looking down the shaft that it way too big take a fine sight with. Also, does swapping to a broadhead require some adjustments, I would think it would change your POI since its longer than a field tip. Any help would be much appreciated. Appreciated it!
Great video! Did you increase the length of your arrows,using the Gap method? My draw length is 27",i add a inch,total arrow length 28"s.Do you think i could add some more,without it affecting my arrow flight? Your videos have really helped my shooting!
Clay, I'm confused . If I aim at the pinecone thats where my arrow is going to go. If I were shooting at forty yards I would have to aim about 2' above where I want to hit. So I don't get aming at the pinecone and have your arrow hit 12" above.
Hi Clay! How do you manage to get a reasonable gap with mediterranean grip and anchoring with your middle finger? I shoot kind of similar, but my arrow is so far away from my eye that I just can't get gapping to work...
I anchor with my thumb knuckle under my ear in the depression behind my jaw, then tilt my head down a little. everyone is shaped a little different so you'll just have to find something that works for you.
hi, Clay, great videos...! i am however a bit surprised, in fact. When gap shooting, your arrows should go the other way round, no? i.e. 20 yards, closer to the cone then higher when you get closer to the target, if you keep the tip on the cone...or did I miss something? I cannot wait the video where you explain how tune wooden arrows...tx again. Th
If you have a 30yard point on for example ( distance you can put the tip where you want to hit) the highest point of the trajectory will be around 15yards. From 0-15 your gaps will get bigger, after 15 they will get smaller again. Check out 'The Push' and the gapping videos by Jimmy Blackmon for a better explanation. I know this comment was made a long time ago but I hope it's still helpful
Bcos the point of aim is on the ground, as u walk nearer, the arrow angle is coming down also, so the arrows are not not really landing as high, am i right to say that? if the point of aim is eye level, than the longer the distance the lower they hit will be more consistant.
I really appreciate your videos on shooting technique. I have shot trad for 10 years using instinctive shooting with mixed results. I've started to use the gap and have gotten a lot more consistent. Thank you for your simple vids. Question, who makes your bow quiver?
At about 20 ft i find myself having to aim my arrow tip off to the bottom right corner of the target to hit center. I'm shooting off the shelf with a little piece of tape on the shelf wall to center the arrow on the shelf. I'm consistently bhitting the bag although not always center. I think some of it has to do with my release.
Hi Clay, do you have any thoughts on gap vs string walking? I will be experimenting this off season and any thoughts appreciated. Thanks for your film work & Happy New Year!
I haven’t experimented much with string walking. Moving the fingers down the string stresses the limbs unevenly which is fine for bows of modern materials but can be hard on a selfbow.
Nice one Clay. I dig your vids and approach. What's your draw length and arrow length? I. e. how much arrow is forward of the riser to "sight" with? Cheers
I reciently asked about gap shooting and you refered me here. I think I understand, but have a question to confirm my understanding. If I put my arrow tip on target at 20 yards and my gap is 14 inches, would I put my arrow tip about 14 inches below the target to hit the target at 20 yards? Thanks in advance for your response.
I like the profile of that selfbow; have you recurved the limb tips a little? Don't know why people say they don't gap shoot when shooting instinctively. You've just trained your mind and motor memory to recognize the gap and release in the shot sequence a little differently, subconsciously. I suppose it's like the split vs. three under debate. One is still viewed as a "target" method. Use what kills quick and clean. That nice buck you killed didn't know you gapped him.
What would be the most effective way to decrease your gap? Mine at 20 is like 24”-28”. Makes it difficult to be consistent when I’m aiming so far off my intended target.
Hey Clay, awesome videos! You do a great job of simplifying traditional archery. Any chance we'll see some arrow tuning videos soon? Thanks for the great information. Happy hunting!
Are you shooting three under? I just started shooting a lot with my Osage bow. I'm trying to get accurate enough for deer season. I have always shot split finger.
Just got my 50lb recurve amd it was dark so i took and set up 16 ounce water bottle then if i aim i miss if i pull up and shoot kinda like imagining where the arroe is gonna go i mean like two seconds at full draw i can hit almost every time dont understand it im a long time compound hunter
Gap shooting is great for those are Right Hand, Right Eyed dominate. or visa versa. I Crazy Cross Eye Dominate, and do not see my arrow at all when I pick a spot. Everyone has to find their own method. Thankfully there is so much great information out there on the internet!
Depends on the particular bow and arrow combination I’m shooting. Currently my point on distance is 30 yards. Beyond which I need to aim above the intended point of impact.
I shoot three under with the anchor point being my pointer finger in the corner of my lip. 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 are all over 14" gaps making this almost impossible for hunting uses. Is there anything I can do to fix this? How do you shoot clay?
try using a hard anchor point...Ie the point of the check bone or the bump above the I tooth. I use 2 reference points in my anchor,,top finger at the tip of check bone & thumb behind the ear at the base of the jaw,,
Thomas brings up a good point in that your anchor needs to be super solid. Hard bone is best. I put the thumb knuckle in the depression behind my jawbone. Aside from that, if you bring your anchor a little higher and get the nock of the arrow closer to your eye, you'll decrease your gap, but also you'll decrease your point on distance.
+Clay Hayes- I have been shooting with my thumb knuckle anchored at the tip of my nose so that I can line up the knock and arrow tip for elevation and the bow string with the nock for windage. Is that wrong? I lock my shoulder back as a bow stop and accuracy is fair but I'm not sure I'm getting a full draw from my bow.
So, if I'm shooting at a target straight ahead of me lets say 10 yards, I should point directly at the bullseye, to see where my arrow hits above it? Or to, to prevent it from flying over into the field hit below the bullseye until it lines up close to it?
Clay Hayes thanks, you clearly showed that in the video, smh 🤦🏽♂️ lol i was thinking of how to do it with my hanging target, just need to St some hay...you're videos are great! 😎👊🏽
wish that I was able to make it,There will be much to talk over the new admin, will in all likelihood be pro privation of public lands, next it will be counts and barons,
I’ve been trying to gap shoot and pretty well have my gap found. The problem I have is I can’t seem to line my bow up where I’m looking straight down my arrow, i shoot to the left of where I’m pointing my arrow. What am I doing wrong?
maybe pay attention to your grip on the bow itself. Do you tend to have a very firm or loose grip when you draw your bow to shoot? Either way I would highly recommend watching the videos on this channel, it helped me a lot when I first started out shooting traditional.
agnody1 I think I figured it out today. I was coming to my anchor point the same but I was only paying attention to my finger hitting the corner of my mouth and not actually putting the arrow under my eye. Took about 15 shots and I’m smoking the ten ring on the 3D target consistently now, and I’m confident out to 30 yards, Should be an awesome season. My only complaint is my gap is 29 inches, but a combination of gap and split vision seems to be working great!!
What happens if the pinecone is at chest hight? Because at 5-10 feet you are shooting down at 45 degrees witch affects the gap theory maybe? , if its at chest hight as you get closer your arrows will Shorely continue to rise? I'm purely an amateur so believe me I don't question you clay, I'm just trying to clear it up in my head is all, best I just go and practice ay haha thanks buddy .
I thought you're suppose to set the nock point on your string to where your point on the average distance you shoot at, then as you shoot closer or farther you you raise or lower your point of aim.
It's been so long since I've shot a bow, but this kinda seems counterintuitive in my head... Aim lower than the intended target. I always aimed higher to account for arrow drop
The only thing about gap shooting is in the field at any distance through trees and brush etc it's hard to determine your gap. For instance lets say your gap at 20 yards your gap is 13 inches how do you accurately gauge 13 inches oh an animal. Seems like it would be better suited for targets at known distances.
Clay, I notice you're not using a glove or a tab but your fingers are protected by...? Do you just tape them? Anyway, I'm highly stoked to have found your channel. When I get some spare funds I'm going to throw them at your patreaon. I've also tweeted Joe Rogan and requested that he gets you on his podcast.
As long as you're concentrating on what you are doing and doing everything the same way, if you fling a lot of arrows you're bound to get better. What are your thoughts. I notice you are pretty good.
A disagree. I know a lot of guys that have shot for decades that are poor shots. A relatively new shooter that makes a commitment to figuring out a shooting method that results in consistency will often out shoot a veteran shooter who hasn’t.
Don't actually understand what this was in relation to shooting something. Then again I haven't picked up a bow in my life. Would someone please explain this to me, or refer me to an explanation already online. Thanks in advance.
Hi Garry, this is a followup to a video that explains gap shooting in more detail. Here's the link ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-G-r1IqWjkKw.html
I never realized what gap shooting was until watching this video...so you're not actually looking at your target during the release...you may be looking 10" or 20" above it or below it...
So your gaps at 5-25 yards are between 8 and 12 inches. If you set a single fixed crawl you could be in the kill zone with point on for all distances and if out to 28 yards go to your regular nock point and be point on.😉 Its like having one pin for all your hunting shots!
I used your Gap method yesterday and shot my first Sasquatch I can't believe it they're so tall I'm always shooting by their feet this time it was a dead on hit right in the tits