To Peep or To No-Peep?

[Tigerhaze]

No, I am not a perve. Just thought I would get some advice on the issue of peep sights.

I currently have a zero-peep mounted on my PSE Nova Hunter along with the OEM fiber-optic sights (I believe those are the PSE Hunter sights). One of my frustrations over the years is the lack of light through the zero-peep in low-light situations. I have drilled out the hole and added a low-light peep (with the fiber optic ring around the outside of the peep) and it has helped some, but I am still dissatisfied.

I saw the discussion about sights (which I am thinking about replacing) and wondered what you guys do for sight alignment (zero peep, no-peep, no peep sight at all, etc.). Specifically I was looking at Timberline Archery's No-Peep system. In principle it seems like it may be a better way to go but I was wondering if anyone on here had used one of them before. Any drawbacks to this system? Any other peep system anyone would suggest?

[hobiecat]

It seems to me, that with this system you would have to have a VERY definite anchor point. Also, I would be concerned with rain or fog on the lens.



I think I would stick with the traditional peep system. Get a large diameter peep and you should be fine.



I personally don't like the fiber optic peep sights. I fail to see how they help in low light conditions. I mean, you don't hold a flashlight to your eye when tryin to see in the dark?! Plus, I would think they would produce a halo affect and actually negatively impact low light vision. This is the same reason I avoid electronically lit fiber optic pins.

[GoGop]

I always used a peep. I don't like the one with the little tubing to hold it straight though, since it breaks at the most inopportune moment. I like the round one that's put directly in the string.

[Limbshot]

Hobie, I think every archer should work to establish a consistant anchor point. IT is crucial for accuracy and consistancy, and we owe it to the animals we hunt to be the most accurate we can be. Every aspect of form is critical, and being able to duplicate it is a must.

That being said, I shoot a peep sight, but my sight that I usually shoot has a round sight guard with a bright orange ring on the back side. This allows me to perfectly align the sight guard with my peep, and basically gives me the same set up as the no-peep. As long as my "scope" is perfectly aligned inside my peep, things are good. I think the no peep is a good concept, my only concern is the shooter may begin to pay a little too much attention to the no peep. The human mind can only consciously think about one thing at a time. When you are aiming in at something, you should be thinking only about aiming, and everything else should happen naturally, subconsciuosly. I would imagine that with this set up you would go in to aim, and then you would look off and glance at the no peep to make sure it was good and then you are off you aiming mark, and it would be a back and forth deal. It just seems to me it would be one more thing to think about while you are shooting, and may cause you an extra second in your shot sequence to make sure it was sitting right, and we all knwo that seconds can be the difference between a shot and not shot. Again these are just my opinions, and I am sure like anything else, with practice it could be a pretty efffective tool for your set-up, but I think it would take a lot of practice add it to your subconscious shot sequence.

[Limbshot]

Well, it sounds the same in general, you center something inside something else, sounds pretty close . Pita?

[counts]

Isn't that some sort of sammich.

[hobiecat]

LS, I agree that every archer should have a consistent anchor point, however I for one, don't generally think about my anchor point any place but the range. If a deer walks in, the last thing I'm thinkin about is my anchor point. Luckily, with the set up I have now (peep sight and Copper John sight) and enuff practice that my anchor point is pretty much instinctual, I don't really have a problem.

My point was... since the peep sight acutally acts similar to a kisser button, as far as anchor point consistency, you would actually be missing this benefit with the No-Peep system. This would make it that much more crucial to have a consitent anchor point. One more thing to worry about in a hunting situation.

[PoisonSnake]

I think I can shoot just as well without a peep. When I shot fingers, I had a consistent anchor and never needed a peep. These days I use a peep and it has cost me one time. And, I don't shoot nearly as well as I used to, but I think that is an issue of the high performance bows I have been shooting. I'm not man enough to handle them. Anymore, I get down from my stand with a bit of shooting light left because I don't want to shoot a monster 6 pointer with the antler restrictions and all. So low-light conditions aren't a factor for me much.

[Triton X2]

I tried shooting without a peep, and that lasted for 1 year..I will shoot with a peep forevermore.

[Limbshot]

Hobie, I see your point, but I don't agree with it. I feel that anybody chasing a live animal with archery equipment should practice shooting until they can't shoot anymore. IT is of the utmost importance to become as consistant and accurate with a bow as possible. This means training all of everything in you shooting for to fall into place when a shot presents itself. If you practice enough, and learn to get a good, constistant anchor when you practice, it will just naturally happen when you shoot, you wouldn't have to think about it, but if it came down to it, and you had to think about it, you'd darn well better, because having your anchor point a little off and shooting at a deer that is say 30 yards away, can be the difference in a double lung shot and a shoulder, or borderline liver shot. Everything should be the same on every single shot, every single time. Especially when shooting at an animal, you don't want anything in your form to be different!

[hobiecat]

But that's just it LS. When you are huntin, the shot and your form aren't always the same.

[PoisonSnake]

I have to disagree Hobiecat. On a deer, I feel no different than when I am in the backyard. I feel my form is pretty much the same. I can see if a fellow had to bend down to shoot, or shoot from a sitting position where things could change a bit, but your anchor should be consistent regardless. And, I would suggest practicing in those postions also if you are not comfortable with such. I've shot them every which way but Sunday, and I can tell no difference in hunting situations versus the backyard.

[Limbshot]

Why the heck not? I shoot my bow year round, and probably average 250 plus shots a month, with occassional exceptions of course, but there is no difference in my shooting form from the range and hunting, I work very hard to become consistant, and see no reason why there should be a difference in your hunting shooting form and your practice shooting form, that is the whole point of practice!!! Yes, things change when you get up into an elevated position, but you should draw back and bend at the waist so that everything from the waist up stays the same!

[hobiecat]

What about if a deer walks in on your extreme right, or straight under you, or you have to stoop to shoot under that branch, or its really cold and you're wearin heavy clothes, or you have to shoot from a sittin position...etc.,etc., Are the two of you tellin me your form in all these instances is just like your form at the range??



I never said I wasn't comfortable takin a shot from an awkward position. If I was I wouldn't take it. But to say your form is range perfect in all these instances is just crazy talk!

[PoisonSnake]

If a deer comes from my extreme right, I wheel around so that I am shooting naturally (bobcat for example). I don't ever have to stoop to shoot under anything as my shooting lanes are clear out to 40 yards. Sitting positions, can only shoot to my left and it is pretty much the same. Cold weather clothing, I don't get so bulky that I cannot maintain the same shooting form. I wear a vest, insulated underwear, and a jacket of some sort. I never wear gloves either. Never, as it might compromise my grip on the bowhandle.