Probably one of the most overlooked preps is paper tuning a bow. Papertuning will help you determine if you’re bow is shooting properly. In short, papertuning means that you shoot through a piece of paper, and compare the location of the tear made by the nock, and the location of the tear made by the arrow head. If they don't overlap you need to tune your bow.
Make your shots count by learning how to paper tune!
How to Paper Tune a Compound Bow
Here’s a quick break down on how to paper tune your shots. This method works well both for recurve and compound bows too.
Prep it Up
- Check Your Bow – always make sure your bow is ready. Check for any visible damage or cracks. Do spend some time checking on your cams. Cams sync have to be perfect! Otherwise, you’d end up with lots of readjustments during the actual paper tuning part. Make sure to check your draw length, and the bow’s draw length too.
- Choose Your Arrows – inspect and get the right arrows when paper tuning. Check the spine of the arrow. To prevent more readjustments, consider getting arrows of the same length.
- Ground check – the ground you are standing on also needs to be checked. Aside from having to be level, check of there are anything that can distract or injure you. The worst that can happen during paper tuning is that you’d hurt yourself.
- Your Arrow Rest Matters – we cannot stress enough how important preps are when paper tuning your bow. And one integral part to check is your arrow rest. An arrow rest gives you the peace of mind that your arrows are positioned steadily. You really wouldn’t want to spend too much time with a wobbly bow and arrow, right? For additional reference, look up your bow’s manufacturing details to check the right settings for your arrow rest.
- How’s the Nocking Point? – your bow’s nocking point also needs to be checked. Typically, compound bows already come with these metal points to help nock an arrow properly. If not, then you can tie two knots of thread on your bowstring to serve as a nocking point. Always make sure that the nocking point is level!
- Paper Target – your target needs to checked as well! Regardless if you’re shooting in a range or at home, check if the target is properly framed. You do not want the paper itself to be an issue.
Shooting and Tear Details
Now that everything’s set, start shooting through the paper. It’s trial and error – but again, doing this will help you get that right shot. Remember: your goal is to get a perfect hole on that paper!
Let Your Arrows Fly…
…repeatedly! You need to gauge if you are getting similar results whenever you’re shooting. Consistent results (even if those are tears) would guide you on how to readjust your gear. After several attempts, you can now review the tears on your paper target.
A safe number of shots to do would be three. This way, you’d be able to see if you have similar/repeatable tears. In cases that you have different tears after three shots, examine your shooting form.
Shooting form issues may be from several factors, such as:
- You need to paper tune with a torque free grip – this is because a torque free grip will give you the right hand position. Changing bow settings will not matter if you’re not gripping your bow right!
- You need to paper tune with the proper draw length – the wrong draw length will result to bad shooting form, inaccurate shots, and, worst of all, risk of injury.
- You need to check the way you release an arrow – mindset plays a big part here (see our Quick Fixes below!).
Now that’s set, the next simple steps will guide you in the paper tuning process:
- Double check your paper target if it is framed and propped up properly.
- Stand at least 8 feet (or more – depends on the distance you choose to paper tune, which we will discuss below).
- Take a deep breath, draw your bow, and make sure your arrow is leveled out.
- Focusing on the proper archery stance, release your arrow.
- Replace the target.
- Repeat the process.
Rinse and repeat – it will matter in the end!
How to papertune a bow - What the Different Paper Tears Mean
While this is the core of papertuning, don’t worry if you don’t get it right the first time around. The tears on the paper will guide you on the adjustment you need to do. Once you’ve got some repeatable tears, you can now gauge on what needs to fine-tune your gear.
Nock High Tear
This tear may mean that you need to:
- Raise your arrow rest at a higher level
- Check and adjust your cam sync
- Lower your bow’s nocking point
- Shorten the length of your arrow
- The launcher stiffness needs to be decreased
Nock Low Tear
This tear may mean that you need to:
- Adjust your arrow rest at a lower level
- Check and adjust your cam sync
- Raise your bow’s nocking point
- The launcher stiffness needs to be increased
Nock Left Tear
This tear may mean that you need to:
- Adjust your arrow rest to the right
- Make some changes on your shooting form
- Make some adjustment on your bow’s cable guard
- Change your arrow (the spine is too weak)
Nock Right Tear
This tear may mean that you need to:
- Adjust your arrow rest to the left
- Make some changes on your shooting form
- Make some adjustment on your bow’s cable guard
- Change your arrow (the spine is too stiff)
Paper has Multiple Tears
Confused? Review what’s on the paper. Always remember to tackle the vertical tears first before resolving the horizontal ones on the target.
Bullet Hole
Hooray! This is the shot you’re aiming for!
Miscellaneous Paper Tear Adjustments
Let’s explain more on the points mentioned above.
High and Low Tear Adjustments
Positioning is the key for both high and low nock tears. Although it is easier to adjust the arrow rest, you can only do so much moving it before it creates more issues. You will eventually need to adjust the nocking point. If there seems to be no change even moving both parts, then that’s the time you need to check your bow’s cam sync.
Left and Right Tear Adjustments
The opposite of what’s shown on the paper is usually what needs to be adjusted for these tears. If it’s a right tear, then the arrow rest has to be moved to the left. If it’s a left tear, then the rest needs to be moved towards the right. Depending on the bow you’re using, adjusting the yoke or the cable guard will work wonders as well! A bonus from adjusting horizontal tears is that you’ll get to know your gear. And an archer that knows his/her bow is bound to succeed!
What Paper Tuning Distance Will Tell You
The distance where you shoot can also mean a lot during the paper tuning phase (FYI: shooting from different distances is also called walk back tuning!):
5-6 feet
This distance will let you know how the center shot is positioned. Mostly, this is the distance where you can determine what needs to be adjusted on your bow.
10-11 feet
Now, this distance will give you a good idea about the arrows you’re using. You’ll find out if an arrow spine is too stiff, or if weight plays a factor. Don’t worry – we’ll be discussing about arrows on another article.
15-20 feet
A combination of the bow and arrow issues, this distance will also let you know how drag plays out when shooting. You will find out if your fletching is balanced for the longer distance. You will also know if the velocity of your arrow’s flight is making nock tears.
The Importance of Paper Tuning
It’s a hassle! Why can’t I just go ahead and shoot! Well, paper tuning is more than just getting that right shot. Here are some benefits you can get out of this activity:
- You get to know your gear
- You get to practice your shooting form
- You get to know more about arrows
- You get to identify quirks and potential errors (both on your gear and your form)
- You will prevent yourself from getting injured
Ultimately, paper tuning is a shooting habit you should commit to. Without doing this process, you just may end up with a jerky shooting form, missed shots, faulty gear, and pain.
Additional Adjustments to Be Done
Aside from the arrow rest, nocking point, and shooting form adjustments, you may also want to try these suggestions to fine-tune your gear.
Bow Details
We’ve mentioned earlier that the opposite matters when fixing horizontal tears. But take note not to move your arrow rest too far than what’s recommended by the bow manufacturer! You’ll do more damage this way.
For bows with a yolk system, experiment by adding or removing the twists in the harness. On the other hand, bows that are equipped with a cable guard can be adjusted to fix the tension when at full draw.
Again, it all depends on experimentation to get the right feel and shot.
Arrow Details
Tears can also be a result of using arrows that have spine issues. Adjusting this issue can be done by:
- Simply replacing arrows
- Adjusting the bow’s draw weight
Since adjusting the draw weight may open up more problems, arrow selection is highly recommended. Especially during the paper tuning phase, you’d want to have everything within your control!
More tuning options
Bows have even more tuning options - to tune your recurve bow check this blog post.
Can I Paper Tune at Home?
Ingenuity is Key – you can shoot in the comfort of your home! Just make sure to set it up right. Wing it by simulating how a range is. You can set framed paper on cardboard boxes, stacking it up to get a good sight on the target. Additionally, line up the target in such a way that it is parallel and level to the floor. It goes without saying that if you are in doubt with this step, get help from a pro! Which then leads to our next tip below for new shooters…
New Shooter? How to Papertune a Bow
The first thing you need to do as a new shooter is to know your bow. Here’s a quick checklist:
- Have you adjusted the draw weight?
- Are the cams timed properly?
- Is the nocking point centered between the axles of the bow?
As a new shooter, knowing your bow is the essentially the first step to shoot properly. It may take some time (and trial-and-error), but what you’re aiming for is a bow that will match your style. It’s a relationship that you need to take care of! After setting up your bow, then you can follow the paper tuning steps we’ve listed in the first part of this article.
Paper Tuning Quick Fixes and Tips
We’d also want to share some tricks that will help you out when paper tuning your gear!
Spray It!
Want to know if your arrow vane’s hitting your arrow rest? Simply spray your arrows’ vanes with some aerosol foot powder. If some powder hits your rest, then you can quickly make an adjustment. Contact between a vane and a rest can result to weird arrow releases. Even if you do have a proper shooting form, this subtle contact can also result to inaccurate tears!
Your Best Form Will Matter
We’ve discussed several gear factors that need to be adjusted when paper tuning. But what about you? Have you “adjusted” to the right feeling?
More than having the right shooting form, archery is also a state of mind. Having the right mindset will allow a shooter to fly an arrow properly. Now, combine all three factors – gear, shooting form, archery mindset – and you’re bound to get accurate paper tuning results that you can build on!
Fly True
We hope that the above tips will help your arrows fly true. Enjoy and learn more when paper tuning your bow!
Learn More
For more information, please visit these sites.
Hunting Bow – details why distance is important when papertuning a bow.
Sole Adventure – includes instructions on how to DIY a paper tune target at home.
Gold Tip – explains why vanes can disrupt your shooting form.
Bow Life – a good read on why new shooters need to know their gear.
A well tuned bow is a requirement for instinctive shooting.
Stabilizers can help with the tuning too - read the background info here, or find a few great stabilizers here.