JimBow

I have a 6 yr old boy who is showing intrest in archery. The issue is he is left handed. I also have a 11 year old girl who has been shooting for a while and is starting to out grow her RH bow. The problem is I don't know if I should get him shooting right handed so he can share bows with his older sister or if I should just go out and get him started lefty since it would be more natural for him. Thanks Jim

kickin_buck

It really depends on which eye is his dominate eye. I have friends that are left handed, but are right eye dominate and shoot right handed. If he is left eye dominate, I would suggest getting him a left handed bow. It will be much easier for him to pick up and successful, which means the world when talking about keeping his interest in it.

JimBow

Not many replies thus far, any more advise out there?

DowningAir

I am a right hander. Do all my writing, throwing, catching, ect. this way. However, I am left-eye dominant, so all my aiming (bow, gun, sooting pool) is done as a lefty. I inheirited a right handed bow from my older brother when i was just starting out and was told to shoot this way. It worked ok, but later down the road, when I started having to buy my own bows, I began testing out left handers. It was much more natural to me and I ultimately made a switch to a left handed bow after a few years.

I would have to agree that getting him the gear that would make him most comfortable and successful would probably help to hold his interest more. Take him to a bow shop and see which one works best. If you want to keep his interest it might be best to start him out on the natural path.

KCMO Cityboy

Yep, I would base it off of the dominant eye. I'm a lefty, but right-eye dominant so I shoot righty. My son is also a lefty and left-eye dominant, so he shoots lefty. I shoot shotguns left handed so that probably explains why I keep missing!
Also, if you don't have a bow, look at the Darton Ranger series. Adjustable draws and weight that will grow with him until he's ready for a big'un.

MGH_PA

You will hear two trains of thought on this. Some will say shoot which ever is most comfortable while others (and what I agree with) will say to shoot according to the dominant eye. Your son is young enough that now is the PERFECT time to start him out with a left handed bow. I'm 23. I've been shooting since I was 14. I'm left eye dominant, but right hand dominant. I have ALWAYS shot left handed rifles, but up until this spring I shot my bow right handed, because it was comfortable. I made the switch this spring, and haven't looked back since (no regrets, either). I would suggest going with the dominant eye. Ben/PA made the same switch I did this year as well. Maybe he will chime in.

MikeyL24

Go with the eye dominance. My Uncle is left handed and right eye dominant, and is clearly a better shot with the proper eye. From experience, everyone in that situation ends up that way eventually anyway.