Wind drift

[James Park]

I would be interested to know how archers allow for wind drift. Do you:
- ignore it
- aim off
- cant the bow
Why?
How much?
What do you use to tell you when to do it?

Just for a start, I aim offwhen it is windy. I don't cant the bow because it is too many things to worry about all at once. About the most I aim off would be in the seven ring at 90 metres. I watch the wind every shot and make up my mind on what to do just before I draw the bow each time.

[Kuru]

When I shoot in the wind I like to aim off centre, Mainly because I don't want to change where my sights are in case the wind drops, obvously if it's steady wind the whole time then I might change it but i'd always be thinking if the wind dies down the sights are gonna be way out. Plus who wants to wind their sights left/right for every shot, to much hassle. I've only ever canted the bow in field situations depending on the slope of the hill or valley, but I don't think it had a dramatic effect really

[Kuru]

Out of interest there is a thread in the coaches corner on the pse site concerning shooting in wind

[Toxophilite]

Jim, that's an interesting concept and, given your track record, I bow (as in wow with a 'b') to your judgement. However, just a few things. Firstly, the obvious. On especially gusty days the wind will quite often change unexpectedly (or at least unpredictably) during the course of the aiming, squeezing etc process. How do you combat this?

Secondly, it would be interesting to know how you "watch the wind". Do you watch the target flags, feel it on your face, grass test, use the force etc etc.

I've heard many archers expound THE secret to shooting in the wind...all different. Perhaos the key ingredients are experience, trial and error, a sense of how to brace the body without over-tightening (although I guess that's how we should shoot in the still as well), the ability to not get flustered when one drifts out, and Nice Heavy Arrows.
:confused I just wish I knew in what order :(

[mike]

Firstly I like to shoot my first 2 or 3 arrows in practise with my normal, still-conditions windage. I watch the flight carefully (if possible) and spot the arrows. Where they land gives an indication of the amount of drift over a two minute period and so is a rough guide of the prevailing winds (of course that does not mean that it will stay the same all day). I then adjust my windage to bring the arrow in to the middle. From there I aim at the middle and simply try to hold there (which is the hardest bit about wind anyway) and monitor where the arrows go and what is happening in flight. I then aim off to compensate for stronger and lighter winds compared to what I feel is the predominant wind strength.

Barring complete wind direction change (which you can usually feel) this gives me a saftey margin against the biggest gusts.

Having said all that, it is no where near as simple as that, because as the wind increases your holding capacity decreases (that is your groups get larger and more elongated in the horizontal direction) and so it becomes harder and harder to really establish what the wind is doing. Thus causing an exponentially increasing problem for the archer.

The better the archer, the better their holding capacity in higher winds and thus their greater ability to establish the wind's effect and therby control for it.

It's a horrible Catch 22.

I think that experience has to be number one -- ability to shoot well in windy conditions is a hallmark of the really good archers out there, and they have all the factors/skills that Toxophilite mentioned at their disposal.

I try to shoot in the wind as often as possible (or at least as often as I can be bothered) so as to gain experience in its effects. It is a long journey I think!!!! :mad

[James Park]

If the wind changes while I am taking the shot I may change the amount I am aiming off if it is early in the shot, otherwise I simply try to shoot it properly and put up with a bit of drift. To try to pick the amount to aim off I watch the flags very carefully, and you can usually find one that is a good indicator of what will happen, so I watch that one particularly. I also try to listen to the wind in nearby trees so that I can anticipate (nasty word) when it is likely to either become more windy or still - you can get quite a few seconds warning on some grounds, which is great, and can help you avoid getting blown just as you shoot.

[Marcus]

I've always shot in the wind by canting the bow. Because I've done it for around 10 years I have a good idea how far to move. I prefer my sights to hit the middle when it's level and no wind because there is nothing worse than the wind stopping with you going "damn, now where will it end up?"

Most of my wind problems come from aiming. Had an end at the State Short range, 54 with a 5. Nice shot, just got blown to the 5 as I released. :( :)

I think the biggest keys to shooting well in the wind are maintaining your form and executing a good shot between gusts. Only experiance can help with that.

[Toxophilite]

Does anyone think that physical strength plays a part in one's ability to shoot in the wind, and if so, to what extent?

[Marcus]

I think strength can, however I think it can really mess you up too. The biggest problem in the wind is when you get gusts. A contant wind will allow you to hold against it and get the shot off while aiming in the middle, however while you are holding in that spot, if the wind stops or changes you can go the opposite way.
I think a well setup draw length is better than just brute strength. Something that allows you to control the bow well without costing you your form.

[James Park]

At the 2002 Nationals in the target event it was very windy. Those who shot best in the wind (Clint Freeman, myself, Marcus Stevens, Brian Politis) all increased how hard they pulled into the wall as the wind got stronger. That group also retained good form, even though it got very gusty - that is, just try to shoot the shot properly, even though the sight might not be in the centre at the time of release.
It was very definitely necessary to allow for the wind drift, and to watch the flags carefully, even at 30M.
At 90M I was aiming off as far as the edge of the 8 ring. At 70M it was in the middle of the 8 ring. At 50M it was on the 8-9 line. (And that was with my Quantum with X10's, optimised as best I know how for minimum drift).

[James Park]

Indication of how windy it was at the Nationals: at 30M on the second day I had my arrow blow off the launcher four times in one end. (Ended up with only 6 seconds to shoot the last arrow, and if it had blown off again I was going to aim at the top of the butt and shoot it anyway).

In the team field event it was very windy as well, and Bryce shot a 2 (we thought it was a 1 but the judge was rather generous) at 20M.

[L-Roy]

Fellow archers,
Gentlemen, we have a problem when confronted with aiming and executing in the wind. With consideration for arrow FOC, use as much as 10-20%, as this helps to keep the arrow flying point first. Use as small fletch as possible to stabilize your arrows and obviously have the equipment tuned to your best for straight launch of the arrow.

Now as to aiming. I hate to aim off center because that is where the dot or aperature wants to go for me. I practice in canting the bow and pay attention to the level, where allowed, to determine the amount of cant and then aim centered.

To be successful in shooting in the wind, you must practice in the wind. Don't stay at home and say, its too windy to practice today. Practicing in the wind will build your confidence in shooting in the wind and allow you to become familiar with the amount of cant, or hold off for different amounts of wind.

When shooting, always observe the wind flags when available and also listen to the wind. If you have time, wait until the optimum conditions arrive before setting up and working the shot. Attempt to become familiar with the sound of the wind and you may anticipate when optimum conditions are about to occur. Ie, shoot between gusts when possible.

Keep stabilizers and other equipment sized to the minimum to cut down on surface area that might catch the wind. When aiming the bow, I've found that a slightly flexed elbow allows better use of strength to control the bow in gusty conditions.

Don't worry too much, though, as the wind is wrecking havoc on all shooters in equal amounts! Worry leads to tensions that lead to difficulties in concentration and aiming.

Enjoy the greatest sport,

[Marcus]

Jim
I know what you mean about good form. At the 1994 Geelong Junior Nats it was so windy that arrows were being shot sidewards and some people were aiming half a target off the butts. I only shot a 1091 on the second day and shot 2 1300's at the States a month or so later (so such a score was abnormal for me)
On that crap day I came back from 30 points down by switching to a 4 finger Stan and pulling hard into the back wall. If I had to rip the shot off I did so in a way that my follow through was maintained. The ones who I caught up to were release punchers by trade and because of that failed to maintain any resemblence of form. To this day I attribute the comeback to my ability to maintain good follow through in the awful conditions.

L-Roy
Interesting talk about wind was made last year at a coaching camp. The concensus was that for recurve you are better aiming off and compound you should cant. Simon Fairweather was aiming in the 7 during his Gold medal shootoff in the Olympics and simply concentrated on keeping his eyes locked on the seven and maintaining form.
Agree with the practise bit, starting to force myself to shoot in the wind even though we have an indoor range at my club. :(

[L-Roy]

Marcus,
Thank you. I guess I'll have to remember that some still shoot recurves and can see the why behind aiming off with them.

I have not shot recurve since?????? Maybe, 1970?????

Did not know they still made them. HAHA :wink:

[mike]

Yeah, I prefer the aim-off technique, only because I feel I have better control over it than looking at my already dodgey little bubble on my scope. Thing I don't understand with bow canters is how do they regulate the amount that they cant, given that 2 degrees cant at 90 can put an arrow in the 8.

2 Degrees!!! how do you guys measure exactly 2 degrees when it is blowing a gale?

True, its hard to hold in the 7 or 8, but its no harder than holding in the 10 and at least you know exactly how much its going to go to one side...

Agree with Jim, the best thing to do is to try to maintain form and accept the ones that hit the 6 or whatever. Trouble is, I always find that the squeeze disintegrates into a punch at some point when it is windy. In fact, the squeeze often disintegrates into a punch when I least expect it too!! Like at 30m on a still day for example.

[L-Roy]

Mike,
It is no more difficult to learn to cant than it is to extimate the exact scoring ring into which I need to aim. It is just a practice thing. :D

Hey, punching in the wink is OK, just don't let your bow arm know your release hand is about to punch! :wink: As Marcus said, maintain form even when you rip one off!