Whats holding back your Accuracy when it comes to Bowhunting

The Truth About Increasing Archery Accuracy: Practice Smarter, Not Harder

We’ve all heard the phrase, “Practice makes perfect.” While reassuring, practice alone isn’t enough when it comes to archery. Many archers spend countless hours shooting yet still struggle with accuracy when it matters most.

The reason is simple: practicing with improper techniques or misunderstood fundamentals can reinforce bad habits. As the saying goes, “You don’t know what you don’t know.” Below are essential tips to help you refine your skills, increase accuracy, and elevate your bowhunting game.

Practice With Broadheads

Your choice of broadhead has a major impact on arrow flight. While mechanical broadheads often fly similarly to field points, fixed blade broadheads expose even minor tuning or form issues due to their increased surface area.

What to do:
Shoot with your broadheads by dedicating one fixed blade for practice.
Tune your setup specifically for the broadhead you plan to hunt with.
Practice at realistic hunting distances to confirm true arrow flight.

A properly tuned bow combined with broadhead practice ensures confidence when the moment of truth arrives.

Practice Cutting Angles

Hunting rarely happens on flat ground. Uphill and downhill shots introduce trajectory changes that can lead to missed shots if not practiced.

How to improve:
Use a rangefinder with angle-compensation technology.
Practice both uphill and downhill shots to understand arrow behavior.
Develop a personal rule of thumb or use angle charts for quick corrections.

Practicing in realistic terrain bridges the gap between range shooting and real-world hunting scenarios.

Use a Proper Peep Size & Proper Peep Alignment

Peep sight size and alignment play a critical role in achieving a consistent sight picture. One common technique is centering the sight housing perfectly within the peep.

Tips for proper alignment:
Match the peep size to your sight housing so the housing ring fills the peep.
Eliminate visible gaps to reduce unnecessary movement.
Maintain a consistent sight picture, especially at longer distances.

Consistent alignment leads to consistent arrow impact.

Avoid Facial Pressure & Use a Nose Button

Excess facial pressure on the bowstring is a common but often overlooked cause of accuracy issues. Even slight pressure changes can alter arrow flight.

How to fix it:
Check anchor points to ensure consistent contact with your face and release.
Use a nose button or serving knot to maintain repeatable peep alignment.
Adjust peep height if you need to press into the string to see clearly.

A light, repeatable anchor promotes clean and reliable shots.

Final Thoughts

Increasing archery accuracy isn’t about shooting more arrows—it’s about making every arrow count. Understanding your equipment, practicing under realistic conditions, and refining the small details all contribute to better performance.

Remember:
Practice alone doesn’t make perfect—practice with the right knowledge does.
Learn how your peep sight, arrow rest, and draw weight work together.
Stay consistent and refine your skills year-round.

Apply these principles, and you’ll become a more confident, consistent, and accurate archer—ready for any challenge that comes your way.