Hi there! Are there any guitarists who are also archers here to give me some tips on how to not murder my fingers and hopefully not have arthritis in ten years? I’m a left-handed archer and a right-handed guitarist (I’m left eye dominant and right handed please don’t judge me 
) so my left hand is constantly under a lot of stress. Is there anything specific I should be doing to make sure my hand can stay dexterous while also not having to give up one or the other? Or maybe an easier question is if it’s even a good idea to do both lol. Also, yes, I already use a finger tab to protect my nerve endings. I really love both activities but I’m willing to give up archery if it means that I can play guitar, but I don’t really think it will be too much of a problem. Please give advice!!
I have some experience with archery though I am not an expert. I’d say make sure you are not overbowed, too high of a poundage. What do you shoot? Traditional recurve, long bow, compound? And what poundage is it?
There’s a thread title that got my interest! When I’m not doing guitar or archery, I am asleep.
You shoot left-handed, I shoot right-handed.
You’re left eye dominant, I’m right eye dominant.
You’re right-handed, I’m left-handed.
You play right-handed, I play left-handed.
So far, we are exact opposites, despite appearing to have a lot in common. But obviously we both draw and fret with the same fingers.
Now, since you don’t seem to actually be experiencing any problems, perhaps you are over-anxious about this? I’ve wondered whether there might be any effects, good or bad, in doing both activities, but I don’t think I’ve ever heard of anyone encountering anything of the kind. My archery club has an unusually high number of musicians, too.
Being a left-handed playing right-handed guitar player, left eye dominant, right-footed soccer player who has only done archery once, when I see archery and music in the same sentence I immediately go to the movies!
Continuing the discussion from Guitar and Archery:
Absolutely both. I shoot and play right handed even though left eye dominant. Took up archery at 62, called and shot my first elk at 65. Took up guitar at 66 about a month before open heart surgery so I’d have something challenging during recovery. I’m about 6 weeks out of open heart to repair a valve and guitar has been a life saver. Requires same kind of mental dedication archery does. If you open my profile pick you will see me with my elk. I hope to start shooting again in a few weeks and hope to be out next fall but learning to play guitar will be a constant from here on. Doesn’t matter how old set those goals and keep trying😃
Just dropping in to say: I love this thread!
Hi! I just started playing a guitar, but I can already feel the pain at the fingertips 
I am also a left-handed archer, but I never actually had a pain in my fingers after a session. I am using finger tabs like this one:
If you do feel discomfort, maybe the tab is worn out or not thick enough to absorb the pressure? Otherwise, you should be fine, as you only work barehanded with metal strings on a guitar, but use protection for a bow
This is awsome !!! I have only done archery once but loved it and want to do more. How did you all learn??
I’ll only judge you if you take a pot shot at Bambi 
If you’re not experiencing problems at the moment, and this a question about prevention, carry on.
If for some reason you felt you needed to give one up, stick with the guitar. It’ll provide you with much more pleasure for much longer, as you get older 
An interesting thing about vision is that most of it takes place in the brain, which is remarkably adaptable and readily compensates for any changes such as left/right, colour, distortion, orientation etc.
In most countries, clubs run introductory courses.
This is normal. Your fingers will harden up naturally over the next couple of months. Do not use any fingertip protection, it will just prolong the process. Once you get over the initial period you should not feel any pain at all.
You’re right, I am feeling less pain already! Gonna keep up with my practice
I have a buddy who is a big bow hunter. He uses these trigger release things so he does not even touch the bow string with his hands like in the photo. I am not sure about brands or any specifics, other than he loves it.
Such release aids are confined to compound bow use. The OP uses a different type of bow, for which release aids are specifically prohibited.
I did archery for years as a kid, recurve mostly. Then some compound bow mock hunting (wooden animals) but that was back in Tasmania.
But I still have a couple of pistol crossbows, just in case things get crazy… a terrifying Cobra R9 pistol crossbow and another Barnett. But oviously no finger pain involved with those!
It’s good to know that, come the zombie apocalypse, we’ll still be getting Justin Guitar videos.