Fellow archers: I was sent a link to a video from my mentor on self bows, Instinctive Addiction Archery on split vs 3 under. I know this has been hammered on here but I have to report my findings so bear with me. I've been a died in the wool 3 under shooter and recently with a forward handle ASL bow gotten to be very good for me with my shots. I'm a hunter strictly and so advantages count a lot. The gentleman that is the Instinctive Addiction was the same committed to 3 under for years and went split with remarkable results but the one thing that has me now shooting (100's of arrows) split is the quietness of the bow, advantage big time hunting. I thought my 3 under style with the ASL was quiet but the difference has me switching to split. Now it's a bit of a struggle right now but I'm encouraged and want anyone to chime in. By the way strung my Baraga at 60" and my 56" treadway and by golly same results and shooting decent. Please chime in with encouragement or criticisms and your experience. 60 days to perfect this and in the stand.

When I shoot split finger, I notice less thump in my bow hand when shot, quieter, and seems a little quicker. Helps with target panic with the arrow out of my line of sight when drawing the bow. When I shoot three under, its like aiming down the barrel of a gun, increasing my target panic issues.

Makes no difference. It's all about what is comfortable to you and what YOU think is the best, and that you have the most confidence in.

I've seen folks that switched from 3 under to split without ever changing the nock locator on the string and their shot was just as quiet one way as it was the other.

It's an individual thing.

I started shooting split and shot that way for years before trying three under. It took awhile to get used to shooting three under but I stayed at it and it became natural. I watched that video on switching back to split so I gave it a try. I could hear the difference, but honestly for me it was not a huge difference. I would need to give it some time to get used to the new sight picture and get my distances down but I am sure it would not take long to become comfortable shooting that way again. For ME, there would not be enough gained for the effort to change back to split. That's just me though.

It can usually be tuned out with the longer bows. It doesn't work as well with shorter in relation to draw length bows. Bow strings also make a difference. My bows much prefer B55 for three under & a fixed crawl. >>>----> Ken

2bears other than string silencers what other steps can be made to get the quietness of split or what is perceived as quieter? I am shooting D97 material, I can try B55. What else?

I have shot split since I was a kid with a stick and string so it is that natural to me. Yes I have tried 3 under to see what it was about. For me, because I've shot split so long I did not like the feel of it, and yes, I noticed it was louder. This being said, neither is wrong or right it is personal preference. The end goal is the same.

I was introduced to 3 under in late 90’s. There for awhile I actually improved my shooting. Cured the noise issues with my Bear TD by changing strings and nock point. Was getting ready for a hunt in WI when things changed for the worst. I knew I would end up in a tree stand, so practiced from the one at our range. Just couldn’t get a proper sight picture and believe me I tried. Kept overshooting the 3D deer target. Something in MY feeble brain I know. So went back to split and hit that sucker every time. Again, what works for me doesn’t mean it’s right for everyone.

Been shooting split finger since Richard Greene enticed me in the 1955 Robin Hood series. You just do what seems to work best for you...consistently. If you stick with one style long enough there is no need to change one way or another, you will get proficient, or at least you should.

I've always shot split, shot 3 under maybe one or two times, which was plenty for me, so maybe I'm not a good judge. For hunting I think split is the way to go, I can't imagine not having full control of my arrow and maybe dropping it off the string while stalking or while drawing and letting up.

As for aiming, 3 under might have an edge up close but once you are past 15 yards or so a lower anchor may be best.

I also find it disconcerting to not have the arrow nocked at the point of the string pulled furthest back.

Just the thoughts of a split shooter who knows nothing about 3 under...

Me too, George. Since I was a little kid... a long time ago.

I've tried three under, and am sure I could be proficient with it but I just don't see the point. Shot split for 60 years and it has always worked just fine.

I also shot split for many years. A buddy that was a much better shot than I kept urging me to try 3 under. Being hard headed I resisted. We left that job & went separate ways. One day I did. After a couple of weeks I always believed I could take him. Owe it all to him but never got to show him. Sometimes a change can be beneficial. The close minded never find out. >>>----> Ken

Shooting 3 under. I have said this before but have been P.M.ed with the question so I guess there is still an interest. When ever I find a bow that is too noisy or requires a high nocking point, or both, the tiller will always be 1/8 or more positive. I change it to even if it is a bow I want to keep. Even tiller on most bows tends to shoot well either way for me. Tiller, B55 string, arrow weight, Brace height, then string silencers if needed. >>>-----> Ken

What Felipe said

Hi Jay, I am 64 years old, almost 65 and I have been shooting split for appx. 47 years. I am a pretty good shot to appx. 15 paces, sometimes 17 max. and I am not very consistent out to 20. I am a pure instinctive shot, I know that can be a bad word, but it is the truth. I tried shooting 3under many times, and I always go back to split. I have so much muscle memory it just feels so natural. Do what is best for YOU, and what You are most accurate with. Good luck My Friend, Brian...

3 under is how kids learn to shoot.

Interesting, I taught kids shooting during archery hunter safety, and never taught anyone 3 under.

I shoot my recurves 3 under with tab and my ASL split glove or tab. There is no effort for me to switch from one to another or having aiming issues.

PS I helped a friend of mine to enjoy archery and initially he wanted to learn to shoot spilt. After 30 min I told him to switch to 3 under and he never turned back.

So much great experience and info here. Brian B I'm a "senior" also,66. There is no doubt the split is quieter but I'm struggling with the accuracy. when I go back to 3 under I'm goodand confident. So the journey will continue. I only have a glove for split and its bulky so I ordered a split tab from 3 Rivers and that will help I'm sure on release.

Well fellas I am 80 & as stubborn as I am a few things still rubbed off on me along the way. I shoot like a kid, 3 under, & have just as much fun as they do too. It is all fun so shoot any way you like. >>>>------> Ken

YES!!! 2 bears I agree. archery is fun and I want to keep it that way and you have helped me and this reminds me to hang onto that.

Bluebird. Yes, split is quieter than three under. Always has been, always will be because it doesn't torque the limbs as much as a three under hold. Quietness is relative. I shot split for about 50 years before changing to three under. Yes, it's noisier, but hasn't cost me a critter yet and doubt it ever will.

I shot split for 40+ years and switched to 3under a few years ago. What I found was once I got settled in with 3 under my bow quietened down. A lot of it is subjective to each individual.

Tuning plays a big part. My bows are just as quiet 3 under as they were shooting split.

Brian B instinctive is not a bad word. I too shoot purely instinctive and split finger. It is very effective for hunting and stump shooting but does not work well (for me anyway) for target shooting at bullseye targets. Something to do with focus. Split finger seems to be smoother and quieter for me.

I like the feel on the release with split vs. 3 under. A good 3 under shooter is very hard to beat on a 3D course.

Been split all my life of shooting bows even compounds back in the day. I can shoot 3 under and have good groups but they are 2 feet low and I am not willing to relearn to shoot were I'm looking. I see no reason for me to change. When I'm teaching a newbie I show them both styles and let them chose for themselves it's what works for you. That being said a good gap or string walker that can judge range is hard to beat but not impossible I have done it. Widow

Craig so you are sticking with split? I'm not through giving it every chance to work because I have a split tab coming I hope tomorrow from 3 rivers. The gloves I have just don't feel right and I think it is making a difference in my wanting this to work. My hunting bow this season will be either a mcbroom reverse handle back set ASL or possible my Sprague (on the way) reverse handle with back set also. Even with the glove and not the greatest release it is very quiet just not up to my standard for being accurate. I have rarely shot at a deer over 15yds and really set up for 15 and under so that's where I want to master this.

You can (and people do and have for years) shoot both ways. You don't have to limit yourself to one method or the other unless you choose to.

I shoot both ways,

To me the only real advantage of 3under is less finger pinch,so shooting shorter bows is easier .

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