Hold on target.Did snap shoot in my younger days but was shooting an hour a day all year round , so hand eye coordination was trained a lot.

Bofum.

If you can’t settle in at anchor, hold for a few beats, and let down in a controlled fashion, you’re just not fully in control of your shot. But sometimes it’s really useful to be able to do the touch & go, so I practice both.

Back when I was burning .22LR by the brick, I got to where if the crosshairs were settled, the gun was going off — even if I didn’t always have time to consciously register that the sight picture was On. It sort of startled me at first and I would’ve been concerned if it didn’t invariably result in a TINK! and a swinging silhouette. But your sights only have to be right for long enough for the bullet to clear the muzzle. That’s why snap-shooting DOES work— just not all of the time, for everybody.

So JMO, if you can ONLY snap-shoot, you have a problem; if you can’t do it when you want to, you’re missing out on some of the fun, and it’s a skill worth learning.

Excellent response Corax. My thoughts exactly.

I for once agree 100% with Corax , some of the causes of no control IMO is shooting too much weight. It takes total concentration to shoot a traditional bow without sights. Yeah ,Yeah I can pull 50- 60# bows but I can't master them, because of the heavier weight I lose concentration . Plus I don't need to shoot a MANLY bow. I want to shoot a controlled shot, if I need to shoot quick I can hit anchor and shoot.

op, there is no best way to shoot a stickbow when it comes to how long to hold at anchor. undoubtedly, you will encounter situations when hunting where both snap shooting and briefly holding are required.

i am more of a snap shooter the majority of the time but can hold if needed, such as for a deer or elk to clear a branch.

I don't like the concept of holding as it often leads to creeping. I prefer to think in terms of setting into my anchor and getting to my sight picture. If that takes a second or two so be it, but the key is to maintain tension on the string long enough for it to all happen before I release.

I hold what feels long enough at full draw. Any more and things go downhill, ha ha.

you should, at least in theory release when you hit anchor, otherwise you will not be continuing to push and pull

Whether you hold at anchor or shoot in a touch and go style should have exactly nothing to do with you do or don't creep or whether you do or don't continue to push or pull.

If it does the shot is running you, you aren't running the shot.

If you can't start and stop your shot at any point in the sequence you don't have control.

I hold anywhere from 5-10sec before I release

"If you can’t settle in at anchor, hold for a few beats, and let down in a controlled fashion, you’re just not fully in control of your shot."

This statement is simply not true. It may have some relevance in the target archery world but has no relevance to bowhunting.

From Howard Hill to Fred Bear, even to Fred Asbell, and with thousands of bowhunters today, it is absolutely possible to draw, anchor and release in one fluid motion without any pauses or let-downs.

For bowhunting, it is absolutely possible and, in many cases preferred, to have a shot sequence that follows Hill's swing draw or Bear's push pull.

Nock an arrow, concentrate on a spot while bringing the bow into a shooting position, anchor and release, all in a fluid manner, not a static one. Using this method, which has been used successfully for many decades, there is absolutely no reason to hold before releasing.

Now a target shooter using an aiming method does have to take time to aim. That doesn't mean that is the only acceptable way to shoot.

And, based on my observations, it is very true that many bowhunters do snap shoot in an uncontrolled way. But that shouldn't be confused with the very effective way to shoot quickly, fluidly and accurately.

Doesn’t matter as long as you are consistent and you hit anchor. Some people Shoot fast some snap shoot. One of the Willam brothers shot from the hip, and he was amazing. Consistency is the name of the name with archery. I don’t prefer snap shooting but I have seen some amazing archers who do.

I had a big problem with target panic years ago. I worked my way through it but I have to remain in control of my shot otherwise it will want to creep back in. Now that doesn't mean I hold a long time. I can snap shoot very well in a hunting situation but my best shooting is a split second pause when I reach anchor to get my bow arm steady.

I tried snap shooting per Jeff Phillips and I was deadly accurate at less than 20 yards. I didn't attempt at longer yardage due the small size of target and what was behind it if I missed.

Before trying this type of shooting I always held as long as needed to make sure of my shot. The biggest problem with any shooting is most folks starting out will get a bow that is to strong so they never learn.

Even an experienced shooter can't shoot accurately being over bowed.

So either is fine if your bow matches you.

I think Ron laclaid, Stacy Grossup, Howard hill, John shulze would be considered snap shooters today by some standards. They shot very fast and very accurately, so whatever you do, do it with consistency and it will work.

I would agree with Phil, especially his last paragraph.

I’m not a “snap shooter” I found if I hold for a couple of seconds to settle in my shooting is much more accurate.

I don't think anyone is suggesting that one way is better or more effective than the other. And within the strict confines of bowhunting, it is a huge advantage to be able to shoot either way. In my experience, there has been many times that the excessive movement of a swing draw would have gotten me busted for certain. Having the ability to draw slowly and hold can sometimes make the difference between a shot or no shot at all. Having more tools in your tool box is always a plus when it comes to traditional bowhunting.

IMO, the most important thing is to get to a full draw. I too agree with Phil's assessment.

"Archery is really very simple. You just have to do the exact same thing on every shot." Bill Leslie, July 22, 2017

"Form is everything." Al Cole, June 7, 2008

Another in agreement with Phil. But I can hold longer if need be if the situation warrants it. I feel I am in total control of my shot sequence unless I'm having an off day. Consistency is the key.

Always practice holding at anchor for at least a heartbeat or two.

I think Phil and I disagree less than he thinks.

I’m not saying that you HAVE TO settle & pause on every shot; not all situations call for that and some don’t allow for it at all. But if you CAN’T do it whenever you want to, I submit that that IS a problem.

As I said before, snap-shooting is a good and useful tool for a bowhunter. Just try to bean a bouncing bunny any other way….

I practice snap-shooting for the same reason that I practice long holds, heavy cants, twisting, kneeling, sitting, prone, point-on and every other way to shoot a bow — they’re all good skills to have in case they’re needed.

And they’re all PHUNN.

I’m on team snap shooter. Pick spot, concentrate on spot, draw while concentrating on spot, hit anchor while still concentrating on spot, release. Your results may vary.

Corax I practice them all too, it is fun, and extremely useful in the woods. It seems when I’m just shooting with or teaching others, they tend to remark something like “ you just pull up and it’s in the target, how do you aim?”. I’m always aiming, that is to say that my focus is on the spot I want to hit throughout the process of withdrawing an arrow, nocking it, drawing the bow until the release happens. Mercury Index Nocks help tremendously in allowing me to never take my eyes off the spot, I always handle the arrow by the nock end, rolling it until my thumb finds the index, then I nock the arrow and draw without ever looking down or distracting myself from the target.

“I think Phil and I disagree less than he thinks.

I’m not saying that you HAVE TO settle & pause on every shot; not all situations call for that and some don’t allow for it at all. But if you CAN’T do it whenever you want to, I submit that that IS a problem.”

From the way I read this you are saying the decision to shoot is made after anchoring and aiming. This is what I disagree with. Once a person using a swing draw, for example, decides to shoot there is no reason to pause or let down. That decision was made when the draw started.

I practice and shoot 3d courses by holding and aiming, working on form and hitting the 10 ring when possible. Most imes 3 to 5 seconds is the norm. But when I hunt, it is more of an instintive shot, no distance measuring and hitting things when theyre moving. I have learned to do both pretty well and it seems to be working.

I think both methods can work equally well. I know shooters from both camps that are amazing shots. What I would disagree with is the idea that a swing shooter should change their style and hold on some shots. That won't work for them, that's not how they shoot every shot. That's like telling Tiger Woods to hold for five seconds at the top of his swing. That won't work. I wish I could shoot like Howard Hill, and I tried, but I just never got any good at shooting that way. So I draw and aim a bit. Notice I didn't say hold. Holding for a predetermined amount of time makes no sense to me. I get to anchor, never stop pulling and then start aiming. The shot goes off without me doing anything.

Phil is correct !

The issue I see, a lot, is people want to be Fred Bear and loose at the instant of anchor. Before long they are short drawing and collapsing at the shot and then have a very difficult time regaining control. Anyone can shoot as they like but the majority of snap shooters I see are not anywhere near in control.

I would say that I am pretty much a disciple of the swing draw.

Practice both. For deer I always anchor. Small game I will snap shoot on occasion.

Loosing at the moment of anchor is not a bad thing if the proper steps are taken before that. And the proper steps include getting to anchor which means the shooter is not short drawing.

I do agree that a lot of folks are really snap shooters and do not have the basics covered.

I don’t care for definitions but maybe we need to have at least one for snap shooting. To me, snap shooting denotes releasing the arrow in an inconsistent manner before reaching anchor. If anchor is reached, no matter for how long, it is no longer snap shooting.

“From the way I read this you are saying the decision to shoot is made after anchoring and aiming. This is what I disagree with. Once a person using a swing draw, for example, decides to shoot there is no reason to pause or let down. That decision was made when the draw started.”

You’re still combining what works in one instance with what works in the other. I’m not.

They are two different techniques; you can do either— and you need to execute each properly in order to make that one work. I’ve just noticed that the stronger and more controlled I have become on Aimed shots, the more accurate my snapshots have gotten to be. So IME, it all works together for good.

I’m sure I’m not as good at either as some of the guys who specialize in one or the other, but I’m better at both than I used to be at either, because the neuromuscular circuitry gets more reinforcement and more corrective (pre-shot) feedback from a sustained hold.

Hold for at least 2-3 seconds.

“To me, snap shooting denotes releasing the arrow in an inconsistent manner before reaching anchor.”

This sounds like what I would call target panic.

I would define snap shooting is releasing as soon as one hits anchor.

“ You’re still combining what works in one instance with what works in the other. I’m not.”

No. I’m not. I have no problem with how anyone chooses to shoot. I’m glad your shooting has improved using the method you choose.

What I am saying is that this statement that you made so strongly in your first post is incorrect.

“If you can’t settle in at anchor, hold for a few beats, and let down in a controlled fashion, you’re just not fully in control of your shot.”

You or others don’t get to decide when someone is in control of the shot based on how long they anchor. It is possible to be in complete control of the shot process without settling in at anchor, holding for a few beats or letting down.

Chelo, “ I would define snap shooting is releasing as soon as one hits anchor.”

I’m good with that but then that means that snap shooting is not a bad thing. That seems to be the issue. Some folks say snap shooting is bad. I don’t really care what it’s called as long as the shooter hits anchor.

Let’s try it this way, Phil…

Would you at least agree that there is a vast difference between being UNABLE to hold at anchor for a specified period of time, on demand, and just rarely choosing to do so?

My point hinges not on the frequency of a sustained hold, but the ability to do so when desired/necessary/appropriate.

And I enjoy you too much to pursue a disagreement.

Nothing wrong at all with holding varying times at full anchor, good hunters do that as a matter of routine. May vary from virtually no measurable time, to holding several seconds. The key is to get to full draw ( anchor ) whether you hold at anchor a few seconds, or " snap shoot ". The commonality is " you got to your full draw ".

Won’t argue with that. Good Snap-shooting technique (IMO) involves pulling right through that anchor point. Sometimes “and then some” ;)

I shoot one or the other dependent on how cool I'm feeling. lol

"Let’s try it this way, Phil…

Would you at least agree that there is a vast difference between being UNABLE to hold at anchor for a specified period of time, on demand, and just rarely choosing to do so? "

"Good Snap-shooting technique (IMO) involves pulling right through that anchor point. Sometimes “and then some” ;) "

We may get through this by Christmas. :)

While I am physically able to hold at full draw, I and many others use a method that requires me to release when I hit anchor. Otherwise it destroys my entire shot process. So, in that sense, if I want to hit what I'm trying to hit, either target or animal, I am unable to hold at full draw and expect a good result.

And about the release... I and many others use a dead release where my string hand remains in contact with my anchor point after release and there is no pull through.

Now I know you put the IMO in there and I respect that everyone can choose to shoot in a way that works best for them. That's why I believe that trying to define how long a person holds at full draw or follows through is futile. I'm not sure why you keep trying to say someone is shooting wrong just because they don't shoot the way you think they should. You do yours and I'll do mine and neither of us should claim the other is doing it the "wrong" way.

And, if one is truely shooting by the so called " instinctive" method, IMO dominant eye does not matter.

Just for grins I just brought a similar thread back up.

There are two kinds of snap shooting, a full draw, hit anchor, release…the other is a release before full draw with 6” of arrow handing off the bow. I shoot a fast or medium speed shot after coming to full draw, the only time I hold long is shooting sights and a clicker, that shot takes a few seconds more to complete.

Most of the snap shooters I see don’t come anywhere near touching their face. But some still shoot good and kill deer.

Pause long enough to get my arrow lined up with target at full draw....ie: AIM

Well this is fun. It's like watching a priest and a scientist debate the existence of God.

I hold till things are right.

Sometimes it happens quick. Other times it's a bit slower.

If it don't happen, I don't shoot.

Rick

Here is what I noticed: Advantage of not pausing at anchor - easier to maintain good fluidity, easier to get a good string release, easier to use the feel of the good shoot and not having the mind in the way of the shot especially when learning, easier for an average guy to become fairly good (at shorter distances). Disadvantage of not pausing at anchor – harder for longer shoots, harder to get consistent drawing length, harder to get a good and consistent alignment. Advantage of pausing at anchor – easier for long shoots, easier to get a consistent drawing length, easier to get a good and consistent alignment. Disadvantage of pausing at anchor - harder to get a good string release, harder to maintain good fluidity, harder to keep the mind in the way of the shot. Chazz

I hold for targets and snap shoot while hunting. If I need to.

Snap shooting is releasing before hitting an anchor.

Any time you hit an anchor no matter how long you pause at anchor you are not snap shooting. The term Snap shooting was started for not using your sights on a rifle but has been used in archery as defined above for a long time.

There is a quick anchor and a held anchor. I personally have never seen a great archer that snap shoots. Probably have been some tho

Just as a what for fifteen yards is pretty much mid range for me. I generally hold and aim on shots fifteen and out. That means aim, settle, expand and loose. I also sometimes do that on close shots like ten and in.

Sometimes I get the itch to swing draw on long shots. That itch gets scratched kicking brush looking for white fletch.

2000 is pretty long , I usually forget where I am around 11 or 12 hundred and have to start over.

There's another archived thread on this topic from 2023 running right now. Just for kicks I checked my posts on it. Interestingly I said exactly the same thing. Guess I got my sh%$ dialed in right tight. lol

“It's like watching a priest and a scientist debate the existence of God.”

Do I get to be the Scientist?? Because I did once date a seminarian/pastor, but I’m much better trained as a scientist…. But of course, no honest science has an opinion on the existence of God…. And no honest religion disputes the validity of science.

I’ll bet that Phil is a better snapshooter than I am, but I’m happy enough just being better than I used to be. And let’s face it; you get to a certain age, and there just aren’t many areas in your life where you can say that with a straight face….

I don't hold but it probably looks like it. I'm getting on target, expanding and stuff like that. It would be great if I could learn to have all that done by the time I touch my "reference" !

Corax - I'm glad somebody picked up on the implausability of a "debate on the existence of God", and how closely it resembles this discussion.

Both are correct, it's just a matter of perspective.

I'll be honest I have'nt read any of the responses. What I will say if you CONSISTENTLY pull and anchor at your belly button you will be accurate. But some methods will produce more accuracy. Period

I hold for 2 to 3 seconds with bows that fit my draw length, but with short draw plains bows I look down the arrow, and when the bow stacks I release. One fluid motion. My friend said I will ruin my form doing that, but I haven't, and I shoot accurate out to 15 yds.

I can shoot either way, but find I am better with focusing on a spot, hitting my anchor and releasing the shot. I am 1000% convinced there is not just one way to shoot a bow. It is all personal preference, and the situation dictates the method used.

One of the better shooters I know is a ‘hit anchor and go’ shooter. I never would have believed that you can shoot that well, in that manner, but he does.

Whether you’re using a baseball bat, a basketball, a hockey stick or a nice recurve or longbow, or even a firearm for that matter, a pause before swinging throwing shooting will most always grant better results. That’s been my experience

So Fred started the confusion on the term snap shooting. :) 2 kinds of snap shooters, not really. One is just releasing quickly at anchor. Great interview. When he started hitting anchor he got better.

Great thread

Ricky, embedded html isn’t permitted. Here is the link.

https://youtu.be/wBOWNHKKm5M

Thanks...

For those that want to know what Fred Bear thought about why he was a "snap shooter," see the following link.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBOWNHKKm5M&t=1531s

One of the best shots I know uses what I refer to as touch and go shooting. I have never noticed him short drawing even under pressure situations. But he does not ever hold - he says he feels his drawing hand fingers touching his “anchor” and the shot just goes- and it usually goes in the 10 ring or the heart of whatever animal he shoots

I have known this gentleman a very long time and have never noticed him shooting any other way. There is something to be said that’s spot on - “ if it ain’t broke - don’t fix it “

GF, Lots of wisdom in your post for sure.

"Loosing at the moment of anchor is not a bad thing if the proper steps are taken before that. And the proper steps include getting to anchor which means the shooter is not short drawing. I do agree that a lot of folks are really snap shooters and do not have the basics covered.

I don’t care for definitions but maybe we need to have at least one for snap shooting. To me, snap shooting denotes releasing the arrow in an inconsistent manner before reaching anchor. If anchor is reached, no matter for how long, it is no longer snap shooting."

I believe this is the correct definition.

Good luck with that one! LOL

BUT…. Agree 100% that there’s an important distinction between a fluid, dynamic release as you pull through your anchor point and just never getting close to it. I just don’t think there’s any way to get this bunch to agree on a unique term for each so that we could keep them straight…..

I can agree with that. By default, this definition means snap shooting - releasing an arrow in an inconsistent manner - would also be a symptom or offshoot (no pun intended) of target panic.

Over the years snap shooting has held many meanings. Fred Bear called himself a snap shooter even though he consistently hit anchor. When they see someone shooting quickly many call that snap shooting. It's almost as difficult as trying to label "traditional". LOL

I do agree that as long as a shooter hits anchor, that's the goal regardless of what it's called and whether the release is quick or delayed

Everyone should read Rick Barbee's last post. Especially the last sentence.

I always read everything Rick writes. Here's his last post:

"I hold till things are right.

Sometimes it happens quick. Other times it's a bit slower.

If it don't happen, I don't shoot."

For myself and more than a few others, you can't read just his last sentence without taking into account his first sentence. The way Rick shoots works for him. It doesn't mean it works that way for everyone.

I don't hold until things are right because I don't hold. I don't start my draw until thing are right. And once I start my draw the arrow is as good as gone. There is no holding at anchor for me. I determine I'm going to shoot and I, draw, anchor and release in seconds with no pauses.

I know many more that shoot this way successfully. But that doesn't mean it would work for everyone and I am not saying it is the only way to shoot.

So if you’re at half-draw when you get busted and the deer turns inside out getting outta there, you’re sending it anyway??

Didn’t think so.

I think it's important to remember what Fred Bear said.

He did not necessarily choose or want to be a snap shooter...it was his way of dealing with what we now know is target panic.

Had it not been for "freezing" he would not choose to snap shoot...and he also doesn't recommend it for anyone.

Corax, You are partly right but mostly wrong. One time in my years of bowhunting I got busted as I started mt draw. It was about 30 years ago. I had a buck walking along only ten yards in front of me and I was in the open as I was still hunting. I drew and he froze as I raised the longbow. I figured at that range I couldn't miss. It literally took me a second to finish my draw and release and I watched the arrow fly over his back as he dropped to spring away.

So I got busted but sent the arrow anyway. And I learned an important lesson. I am very picky on the shots I take. Very picky. And it means I've passed on some deer that others may have shot at. But that's fine with me.

Ricky, Now we're back to the definition of snap shooting. :)

Whether he chose it or not, Fred shot fast. Howard Hill shot fast. Fred Asbell shot fast. Many successful bowhunters shoot fast. Without getting hung up on semantics, the one thing all of them shared was getting to anchor.

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