So you’ve finally picked up that new bow sight you’ve been eyeing for weeks, exciting stuff! But before you rush to get it mounted and dialed in, take a breath. At Extreme Outfitters, we’ve seen it time and time again. Costly Bow Sight Mistakes! Excited archers slap on a new sight, shoot a few arrows, and suddenly… something’s off. Accuracy is inconsistent. Groups are unpredictable. Confidence dips. And more often than not, it’s due to one of a few common, critical mistakes.
In this article, we’ll break down the top three bow sight setup mistakes we see archers make and show you how to avoid them. Whether you’re a seasoned bowhunter or brand new to archery, avoiding these errors will save you time, frustration, and missed shots both in practice and in the field.
Mistake #1: Not Leveling Your Sight Correctly
Why It’s a Big Deal:
Failing to level your bow sight properly is the fastest way to throw off your accuracy, especially when you’re shooting steep angles or long distances. We get it. You just unboxed your brand-new sight and want to get arrows downrange ASAP. But if you skip proper axis leveling, you’re setting yourself up for inconsistency.
The Axis Breakdown:
Most modern bow sights (especially slider sights and high-end models) come with at least second and third axis adjustments. If you’re not familiar:
- First axis: Horizontal level of the sight body.
- Second axis: Ensures the sight level is accurate when aiming on flat ground.
- Third axis: Critical for shooting uphill/downhill; it ensures your level bubble remains accurate when the bow is tilted vertically.
When these aren’t set correctly, even a perfectly tuned bow will cause arrows to drift left or right when you’re shooting from a tree stand or on uneven terrain—costing you accuracy at the worst possible moment.
Key Takeaway
These bow sight mistakes can lead to costly accuracy issues, especially if you skip axis leveling, anchor inconsistently, or rush your sight tape installation. Taking the time to set up your sight correctly ensures better performance, tighter groups, and greater confidence in every shot.
How to Avoid This Bow Sight Mistake:
- Use a bow vise and high-quality bubble levels.
- Make sure your bow is leveled first, then adjust your sight to match.
- If you’re unsure how to do this, visit a pro shop like us at Extreme Outfitters—we can get it perfect for you.
Mistake #2: Inconsistent Anchor Point & Poor Peep Sight Alignment
What’s the Issue:
You’re shooting fine one day… and missing left or right the next. Sound familiar? One of the most overlooked causes of erratic shooting is anchoring inconsistently or not aligning your peep sight and scope housing properly.
With slider sights especially, as you dial farther distances, your scope lowers—forcing you to unconsciously adjust your anchor point unless you’re disciplined about your form. And if your peep sight isn’t in the right spot to match your natural draw and head position, you’ll end up with scope shadow or incomplete sight alignment.
Why Consistency Matters:
Your peep and scope housing should create a clean, full circle. If you’re seeing shadows, partial outlines, or your alignment changes based on distance or angle, your accuracy is going to suffer. This leads to vertical and horizontal inconsistencies, especially at long ranges or on elevation changes.
How to Avoid This Mistake:
- Always anchor in the same spot—under the jawline, spilt your with your knuckles if your shooting a handheld release, or wherever is most natural and repeatable for you.
- Adjust your peep sight height at full draw to align perfectly with your scope housing.
- Check your alignment at various angles—especially if you’ll be shooting uphill or downhill, like in tree stands or Total Archery Challenge-style terrain.
Pro Tip: Draw your bow with your eyes closed, come to anchor, then open your eyes. If your peep and scope don’t align, adjust the peep—NOT your anchor point.
Mistake #3: Rushing the Sight Tape Setup
Why This Hurts You:
We get it—you’re pumped to test your new sight, and after a few good shots, you want to slap on a sight tape and hit the woods or the 3D course. But rushing the sight tape process is one of the most common and costly bow sight mistakes we see.
Many slider-style sights come with pre-marked sight tapes based on feet-per-second (FPS) estimates. While they can get you in the ballpark, they’re not always precise enough for real-world consistency, especially at longer distances. A tape that’s off by just a couple yards at 60 could be off by a foot or more at 100.
What Happens When You Rush It:
- Groups start widening the farther you shoot.
- Your impact point shifts unpredictably.
- Your sight dial becomes unreliable in competition or hunting situations.
How to Do It Right:
- Take multiple days to walk back your yardages. Don’t just shoot one arrow at 60 and call it good.
- Use multiple data points: 20, 30, 40, 50, 60—then compare with the closest-matching tape.
- For Spot Hogg and similar brands, use their calibration method by dialing in your 20 and 60 yard marks before choosing the correct tape.
- Be patient. Confirming your tape with repeatable groups is worth the extra time.
Pro Tip: Shoot a full group at each distance, then repeat the next day. Confidence comes from consistency, not guesswork.
Bonus Advice: Take Time to Learn Your New Gear
No matter how advanced or expensive your new bow sight is, rushing the process will limit its potential with these bow sight mistakes. From fixed pin sights to slider setups, each one behaves differently. Understanding how your new sight interacts with your bow, your form, and your distances is a learning curve worth embracing.
At Extreme Outfitters, we see archers of all experience levels make these same mistakes and we help them fix it every day. Whether it’s leveling your sight correctly, aligning your peep, or walking back your tape the right way, the goal is the same: be consistent, confident, and accurate.
Final Thoughts: Avoid these Bow Sight Mistakes, Maximize Your Accuracy
To recap, here are the top 3 bow sight mistakes you should avoid:
- Skipping axis leveling – leads to inconsistent accuracy on angled shots.
- Inconsistent anchor point & peep alignment – causes scope shadow and missed shots.
- Rushing your sight tape setup – undermines long-range precision.
Take your time. Ask questions. Learn your equipment. And if you ever need help, the team here at Extreme Outfitters is here to get you dialed in.
Ready to Upgrade or Fix Your Bow Sight Setup?
We’ve got a full line of top-rated bow sights, leveling tools, and archery accessories ready to go—plus plenty of archery techs that know how to help you get the most from your setup. Shop our website, stop by the shop, or reach out with any questions.
