Compensating for Shooting

in Windy Conditions
Training Tips   If you haven't practiced shooting in the wind (and not many of us do) the wind can cause lots of problems at a tournament.

However, there are ways to compensate. The most common is to simply "hold off" the bulls eye by an amount you think is necessary to allow the wind to carry the arrow back into the center. In a recent Tournament, on occasion, I "held off" as far as the two ring at three o'clock in order to hit the gold. Then on the very next end, the wind calmed for a minute and I held back in the center. It can literally change from arrow to arrow! You have to watch the flags and be aware of changes minute by minute.

For some though, this is very hard to do because their brain doesn't like the sight being off the gold when aiming. It takes practice beforehand to make it work.

Another method is to cant (tilt) the bow into the direction the wind is coming from while still holding on the center. This is probably better for those who can't make themselves take the sight off the gold.

And finally, if the the wind is consistently coming from one direction and at a steady velocity, simply make the appropriate sight adjustment to compensate. Stay alert for any changes and be ready to make more adjustments if needed.

The bottom line is to practice in the wind (and the rain, too) so you will know what adjustment is needed when the time comes. Alas, practice is usually the answer to most of our shooting problems. There just doesn't seem to be a way around it, huh? Oh well, just remember, "no deposit, no return" is a good mantra to remember on the road to the ten ring!

Good Shooting,

Jim White