What is instinct?
As an instinctive archer, I've given this question much thought. Dissatisfied with previous attempts at a definition and those given elsewhere in the archery comunity, here is my perspective.
You watch an archer, lifting the bow and instantly hitting the target; it doesn't matter what type of bow - could be a gun. You ask him how he does it and he hesitates for a moment, then trys to give a rough sep by step process how to copy and shoot like him. You pick up the weapon and you follow the steps, to perfection, and you still can't shoot like him. Your not as fast, not as accurate.
Instinct is the space between actually hitting the target with idealized persision and speed and the imagination of the act of doing this based on the verbal or written steps needed to execute the conceptualization of the ideal.
So, a compound bow, with all the bells and whistles will hit a dime on your first shot, with a high likelihood, if you follow the verbal steps - a stick and string will not. Compound bows immensly reduce "instinct". All said, is why the gun is a popular hunting tool. Instinct is an investment too few are willing to make.