How to Shoot Compound Bows with John Dudley

If you’ve never used a bow but are considering adding bowhunting to your hunting practices, or if you are a bowhunter and you’re looking for ways to improve your shooting skills, we believe John Dudley is the best expert for tips to shoot a compound bow – and hit your target! 

We spent some time with him recently, and he shared his insights on shooting a compound bow. 

Shooting a Compound Bow is Easier Than You Might Think

That doesn’t mean it doesn’t require some work and good mechanics, but Dudley is a big proponent of making bowhunting accessible to anyone who wants to try. 

Following a few key principles and a shot routine can help you improve your accuracy and the frequency with which you hit your target using a compound bow. 

Dudley says, 

“Accuracy is based on two things: consistency and simplicity. So, a simple shot routine helps you with the fundamentals of proper technique and form to understand what you need to go through when using a compound bow.”

First Things First: Your Stance

Where you put your feet also determines what happens with your upper body. Dudley recommends making sure your feet are at least parallel to each other. 

Much like when hitting a golf ball, where your feet point determines where your arrow goes. Or, consider a baseball player entering the batter’s box. If he puts one foot in further than the other and leans in, he’s likely to get hit by a pitch. 

Keep your toes parallel to each other, then imagine a line going from the tip of your toes to the target you want to hit. 

Next: Your Grip

Don’t grip the bow too tight. 

Dudley emphasizes that “Archery is a graceful sport. The lighter and more fluid you are, the more accurate and repetitive you’ll be.” 

When thinking about how to grip the bow, slide the cradle of your hand to the top of the handle, then relax your wrist back. Then, wrap your fingers around the handle, but keep them very light.

Set Your Front Shoulder Position

With a light grip on your bow, it’s time to get your front shoulder into position. 

Your front shoulder should be comparable to – or in line with and level with – your back shoulder at the full draw position or the point when you’ve pulled the bow back until it stops. Leaning one way or another (forward or backward) can increase the pulling weight from the bow and send your arrow into the air or the dirt. 

You also don’t want your front shoulder to come up and point the bow up as you draw back. Imagine that your forward arm comes up level to the ground, and then your drawing arm comes up to the same height. 

Picture a “T” formation, then bend the drawing arm at the elbow toward the center of your frame. 

The Draw: Anchoring

Dudley says, “There are different ways to draw back or connect to your string. You may have learned to use your fingers in Boy Scouts or P.E. (physical education) class. However, you can also use mechanical release aids that will grab the string for you.” 

After choosing the draw method that works best for you, you’ll focus on something called “anchoring.” This means when you pull the string back, you’ll come to the same spot at your face every time – or the spot that becomes your “anchor.” 

Where you anchor depends on the type of release function you use. For John Dudley, his index finger lands at his jawline, and his middle knuckle ends up on his cheek. 

He says, “This puts the arrow shaft perfectly between my lips and his chin, which is crucial for perfect clearance of the arrow.”

Adjust Your Head

With the string drawn back, adjust your head to look through the peep sight in the center of the string. The peep sight should be positioned to line up perfectly to look through the front sight circle. 

When everything lines up, your aiming pin is in the middle of your target. 

Pull the Trigger

If you’re using a release aid, you’ll put your thumb on the trigger and slowly increase pressure while allowing the front pin on your bow to float around in the bullseye. Continue to build pressure until the release lets go of the arrow. 

If you went through the shot routine as described, your arrow should land where you planned for it to go – a bullseye!

Watch John Dudley explain the full stance sequence in the video below!

Practice, Practice, Practice

Remember: accuracy depends on consistency and simplicity. This simple shot routine from John Dudley is only half of the equation when learning how to shoot a compound bow. 

Consistency is also key. So, practice, practice, practice. 

Before you hit the field for your first (or next) hunt with your bow, you should run through this series until it becomes automatic. You know where your feet go, how to align your arms, and how to quickly grab and hold your bow for an accurate shot.

Then, when you’re afield, and that buck comes into range, you don’t have to think through the sequence – it’s a natural, fluid motion from lifting your bow to drawing back and releasing the arrow for a clean hit. 

John Dudley Recommends HuntWise and Compound Bows for Hunting Success

With these insights from our friend John Dudley, you’re ready to become an excellent shot with your compound bow! He also recommends using HuntWise to mark animal activity, hunt areas, and find the best spots to post up with your bow and tag out. 

HuntWise is the ultimate toolset for hunters, with hundreds of map layers, ideal wind settings and reports, up to 15 days of weather forecasting, and real-time animal activity to help you target the perfect locations and days to be in the field. 

Gain an advantage over other hunters! Use these bow tips from John Dudley and download HuntWise for your next hunt. The first week of access to every feature is on us – free! 

What does John Dudley take into the field with him? Check out the Early Season Hunting Clothing and Gear recommendations for bow hunters from John Dudley. Then, check out all of our Early Season Gear recos for 2024!

Updated September 10, 2024