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How much do you practice archery?

Posted on 8/16/18 at 9:38 pm
Posted by Masterag
'Round Dallas
Member since Sep 2014
18798 posts
Posted on 8/16/18 at 9:38 pm
recently got my first bow, and I can't stop kicking myself for not doing so earlier. it's more fun to shoot than a gun and therapeutic as well. I want to be good enough to be able to take an ethical shot by deer season. Any tips?
Posted by Cowboyfan89
Member since Sep 2015
12703 posts
Posted on 8/16/18 at 9:45 pm to
I started last year. Started shooting in July, and felt confident enough to hunt with it. 4th hunt of the season I killed a hog at 20 yards.

The best advice I've heard is 1 arrow at a time. Shoot one arrow, walk down, and pull it from the target. Shooting for grouping is fine, but you most likely aren't going to get more than one shot in a hunting situation. Make each shot count in practice. Focus on technique. To me, that matters more than being able to shoot a tight grouping in a non-hunting situation.

Last year, I only practiced out the 30 yards. This year, I pretty much only practice at 40 yards, unless it's windy (then I shoot at 30 or less). Shooting at 40, I feel like that target is a lot smaller at 30 or less.
quote:

it's more fun to shoot than a gun and therapeutic as well.

I agree with this. It's my favorite thing to do.
This post was edited on 8/16/18 at 9:47 pm
Posted by SmokinJoe
everywhere
Member since Jun 2015
191 posts
Posted on 8/16/18 at 9:52 pm to
I shoot every single day. If it’s raining I shoot 30 yrds in my shop. If it’s nice I walk my 3d range. May only shoot 20 arrows but like you said, it’s therapeutic to me. YouTube some videos on form if you have any questions. Archery learing center and John Dudley both put out good videos. My advice is learn all you can about your now. All the ins and outs. Welcome to the addiction!
Posted by ChandlerB03
Natchez, MS
Member since Nov 2015
1790 posts
Posted on 8/16/18 at 10:03 pm to
I try to shoot about 80 arrows a week. I shoot just 4 at a time, and I don't shoot further out than 30yds. I do shoot at different angels though. Good advice above about shooting one at time starting out.

If it rains, I have a little spot in my shop where I have a bag target setup and shoot from about 5yds. I practice holding on my specific target for as long as possible, and pulling back with my elbow and not punching the trigger.
This post was edited on 8/16/18 at 10:05 pm
Posted by way_south
Member since Jul 2017
810 posts
Posted on 8/16/18 at 10:08 pm to
Wish I had got into bow hunting before my neck and arm injury.
Posted by ChandlerB03
Natchez, MS
Member since Nov 2015
1790 posts
Posted on 8/16/18 at 10:33 pm to
Sucks man. I've only been back into it for 3yrs now. I love reading and learning about different aspects of bow huntjng.

How's the pudle?
Posted by WhuckFistle
Member since Jul 2015
2990 posts
Posted on 8/16/18 at 10:46 pm to
I shot one time when I was 15. Never again lol, I burn the shite out of my arm because I didn’t know how to shoot. But that was 21 years ago.
Posted by Tiger Prawn
Member since Dec 2016
21855 posts
Posted on 8/16/18 at 10:59 pm to
Maybe 1-2 times a month 20-25 shots each time during spring/summer. Then once fall comes, at least once a week 30-40 shots. I feel confident at 30 yards or so. Wouldnt really take a shot longer than that, although where I hunt it I would never have a clear shot to take at longer than 30
Posted by FelicianaTigerfan
Comanche County
Member since Aug 2009
26059 posts
Posted on 8/17/18 at 12:52 am to
I try not to shoot more than 20 arrows in a session. Especially early on. If you should until fatigue sets in you’re creating bad habits. Shoot fresh and accurate and work on fundamentals.

Shot mine for the first time this year a week ago and Robin Hooded my 8th shot.
Posted by Columbia
Land of the Yuppies
Member since Mar 2016
3132 posts
Posted on 8/17/18 at 6:13 am to
I’ll probably shoot a lot on Sept 30th.
Posted by 257WBY
Member since Feb 2014
5560 posts
Posted on 8/17/18 at 6:22 am to
Carry an arrow with a field tip with you while you hunt. Before you get down from a morning hunt, pick out a leaf on the ground and shoot it. This will keep you sharp from the tree.
I’ve practiced at 60 yards before going elk hunting in years past. Shooting well at that distance does wonders for confidence.
The key in a hunting situation is drawing at the right time.
Posted by jorconalx
alexandria
Member since Aug 2011
8585 posts
Posted on 8/17/18 at 6:28 am to
Will shoot atleast twice a week starting next week. Waiting to get my bow back from shop. They’re fixing everything La archery fricked up last year when I brought it in to be restrung and tuned. frick those guys
Posted by Cowboyfan89
Member since Sep 2015
12703 posts
Posted on 8/17/18 at 6:34 am to
quote:

Shot mine for the first time this year a week ago and Robin Hooded my 8th shot.

I shot my first Robin Hood last year...the day before the season.

Spent the next 3 hours at the bow shop buying new arrows because of all the people getting new strings and other shite set up on bows. Lol!

"Pro" tip: Don't wait until the last day before the season to bring your bow in to have work done. I have no clue what all those people were thinking.
Posted by TheDrunkenTigah
Baton Rouge
Member since Aug 2011
17314 posts
Posted on 8/17/18 at 7:04 am to
Like anything that deals with muscle memory and form it’s better to do it 5 mins every day than for an hour once a week. My biggest jumps in accuracy came when I learned to keep my feet, posture, and anchor point consistent simultaneously and it felt natural instead of having to focus on it. Every day after work I would go shoot about 12 shots then put the bow down.
Posted by JPB
Dallas
Member since Sep 2015
143 posts
Posted on 8/17/18 at 8:07 am to
Once you get comfortable with the bow and mechanics, I've found that practicing at a long range has been the most beneficial thing for me. I've been bowhunting for over 20 years now. I practice at double my effective range. If I want to be effective at 40 yards, I practice at 80. Just my personal preference. I've only killed one deer at 40 yards in all my years hunting. But knowing that I can make that shot if I need to is reassuring. Granted, most kills in the South are going to be around 30 yards and under

And I shoot every day. Maybe only 3-5 arrows, but I release at least one arrow everyday that I'm able to
Posted by OeauxMy
Member since Feb 2017
259 posts
Posted on 8/17/18 at 9:11 am to
quote:

The key in a hunting situation is drawing at the right time.


This is the biggest difference between practicing in the back yard and in a true hunting situation.

If an animal (deer, hog, even raccoon or opossum) comes out that you have no intention of shooting, put your finger behind the release trigger and practice drawing back. Watch their movements and wait for a moment when they are down feeding, looking the other way, or anything but on alert.

When I comes time to let one fly, try to pick an individual hair and split it with your arrow. There’s no “X” on a deer to aim at, so you have to find a way to focus on “aim small, miss small”.

Everything seems to move so fast in a hunting situation, keep telling yourself to slow it down. Finding your bloody arrow is one of the greatest feelings in the outdoors.
Posted by Masterag
'Round Dallas
Member since Sep 2014
18798 posts
Posted on 8/17/18 at 9:51 am to
been practicing every day for the last week about 20-30 min., working on form and trying to learn how my bow shoots at 10, 15, and 20 yards.

i always hear about not starting any bad habits, but i have no clue what those might be. i got a good thumb trigger i like, so there's no release anxiety or tension. i don't know what else they might mean.

lots of good info here, guys. thank y'all for contributing.
Posted by sloopy
Member since Aug 2009
6883 posts
Posted on 8/17/18 at 11:22 am to
Not nearly as much as I should, kind of hard to practice when you live in a neighborhood.
Posted by Cowboyfan89
Member since Sep 2015
12703 posts
Posted on 8/17/18 at 11:27 am to
quote:

i always hear about not starting any bad habits, but i have no clue what those might be. i got a good thumb trigger i like, so there's no release anxiety or tension. i don't know what else they might mean.

Inconsistent nocking rest (corner of mouth one shot, jawline the next), tension in bow hand (causing you to torque the bow on release), torquing the bow, pulling away when you release vs pulling straight back, putting too much pressure on the string with your nocking point, holding too long on the target, hand placement on the bow.

Basically, a lot of things. I hear "punching the trigger" often, but I punch and have no issues. It's all in your shooting style. As long as you do the same thing every time and are getting consistency in your shot placement, I don't see an issue.
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