Archery Tips

[punkrcker1344]

This hunting season i am wanting to be able to shoot from the furthest of 70. I cant seem to hit the target or anywhere near it. the best i can do right now is 40 yards hitting the heart every time. Going past that i cant kit the broad side of the barn. I practice 5 times a week for about 45 mins or so. I was wondering if you have any tips or pointers to help me out.

[KGAINES]

Bowhunter12 First off you have to keep practicing, and don't shoot at a deer at a distance you haven't practiced and are hitting the kill zone consistantly, and always remember that a deer might not stand perfectly still like a target. There are several people on here that will get you on the right track to longer range shooting, but shooting and hunting are two different sports. Keep practicing and get comfortable with distances beyond 40 yards, without confidence I wouldn't think about shooting, Good Luck and God Bless.

[ultramag]

70 yards is a very long shot especially on a deer with a broadhead arrow. thats bowhunting. there is very few archer that can be consistant at that range.

good luck

[ForkHorn]

Personally I don't shoot past 40 yards just because I don't feel comfortable doing so. Find the farthest range that you can comfortably shoot and dial in to where you can hit what you want everytime. I bet with practice you could be shooting up to 50 yards comfortably by the time the season starts.

 

For a helpful tip try practicing shooting on your knees like you would after a stalk on a deer. Or if you hunt with a blind try sitting in your chair and getting accustomed to those types of shots.

 

 

 

- ForkHorn

[Redbeard]

Sorry, I know this is more than you asked for but I just can't help getting on my soap box sometimes.

 

The reason why you can't shoot well at long ranges is because it's HARD. The limitations of the equipment and fine points of form really start to show at about 40 yards. Getting consitent at long range is really difficult physically/mentally and requires super fine tuning of your equipment. If you aren't practicing with broadheads you might want to see what that does to your accuracy too. It usually makes it worse.

 

Just an example of how form makes a difference. Two years ago I was shooting (Mathews LX) frequently and getting 4" groups at 60. I haven't shot that bow much in the last year. Now I am at 4+" groups at 40. Same exact setup. I shoot the longer ranges ONLY to get confident for closer shots. I'd NEVER try to shoot an animal at 60 yards. ( Honesty edit: I've though about it and missed two at 50 but I don't plan to do it again.) There is just too much that can happen in that amount of time and distance on a live animal in a non controlled situation.

 

If you are dead on at 40 then don't shoot past 30 at a deer 'cause you will be shaking, the wind will be blowing, the deer will be moving, and they jump the string. Seriously.

 

I have no problems believing I can drill and elk at 40 as long as I know the range. I wouldn't shoot farther at an elk because of potential loss of penetration. When there is a little nervous coues buck in front of me I have no confidence the deer will even be there when the arrow arrives! I've had several misses from ranges between 15-40 just from them jumping the string. Really. The proof is in the video. They drop and spin. Then throw in all the other factors and it's hard to believe they can be killed with a bow. Well, I did get one about 10 years ago. Perfect broadside 15 yard shot but he jumped the string so bad the arrow went through him lengthwise from the rear! Sure I was shooting a 195fps recurve but it was only 15 yards! Think about all this before a shot and you will come unglued!

 

I know people will want to argue this but bowhunting really starts at under 50 yards anyway. There really isn't any reason to shoot farther than 40-50 at anything. Just get closer. Sneaking closer than 30 is a real challenge though. That's what makes bowhunting fun, challenging, and more rewarding. It isn't just about killing an animal with a bow. It is about getting close.

 

I think (IMHO) that it is easier and more fun to become a better hunter than to become a better long range shooter. I have had more success with recurves and longbows at close range than with compounds at any range. I'm shooting both trad and compound in preparation for my elk hunt this year but I'll probably hunt with the longbow. Getting less than 25 yards on an elk during the rut is reasonable. Coues deer??? I just don't now what to do with them.

 

One good close bowhunting encounter is worth a dozen long range kills. A week after I shot that coues buck I called/stalked and killed a bear with that same recurve. It was woofing and growling at me at about 5-6 yards at the time. That may be too close but the point is I would have missed an experience of a lifetime had I shot him at 50.

 

So my advice is keep practicing with your bow but also focus on becoming a better hunter so you can more often get a good close shot.

[BASS]

Yeah, most people only shoot long range to perfect their close range like Redbeard said. I have something for you to try, heck everyone should try. Do about twenty jumping jacks, then grab your bow and try for a 30 yard shot. That should be close to what we would be feeling when that close and getting ready for a shot. I know over the weekend I put a stalk on a small spike with three cows up to about thiry yards or so. I swore that my heart was bouncing through my shirt.

[Redbeard]

BASS,

 

Good idea but for the full effect you also need to screw up the mind. Maybe get some hot chick to..... never mind.

[mjmhunter]

What everybody else has said is dead on. I firmly believe that one close encounter shot (because you worked to get close) is much more memorable than a dozen long distance kills.

 

With that being said, to maybe help your grouping at longer ranges try some of these tips if your not already doing them. Check your anchor point and make sure it is in the same spot every time. Make sure your sight is in the same spot through your peep every time. A lot of people tend to put the pin they are using in the center in the of the peep when they look through it. At longer distances this will affect your accuracy. Everytime your look through your peep at your sights, your sights should be in the same exact spot. Your shortest distance pin should be at the top and your longest distance pin should be down at the bottom of your peep. No matter what distacne your shooting this is they way it should be for consistant accuracy. From what your described doing this may help your longer distance accuracy.

[bobbyo]

I find it strange that rifle hunters on this sight think it is ok to shoot 500 yards or more at an 80 lb coues deer and even brag about it. Yet the bowhunter's believe that archers need to limit their range to a measly 40, 50, 60 yards . Does anyone else see some hypocrisy to this? If I told about an 82 yard kill with my bow I would get slammed. Likewise, I would get praised for my 487 yard rifle spine shot. Is this archery discrimination?

 

Bowhunter 12 check out this chat room Archery talk. I have learned alot about bow tuneup and bow shooting. They do tend to get over technical and a lot of times I don't even understand what they are saying, but overall their advice will help you become a better shooter. I think for starters you have to make sure your bow is properly tuned and your arrows properly spined. A good bow shop or an experienced archer should be consulted. I find that many teenage archers use an arrow that is too light. For the speed that they gain to compensate for shorter draw length and lighter poundage they lose in accuracy to an under spined arrow.

Bob,

Ps. MJM Hunter I never thought about the peep sight in that way, great tip. I just find it hard to see my 20 pin when I am aiming with my 90 .

[mjmhunter]

Bobbyo,

 

Get a bigger peep sight, then your 20 will come in clear as a bell.

[BowNut]

http://www.spot-hogg.com/helpful_hints.shtml

Here are some more shooting tips.

 

Bowhunter12 if you are shooting great at 40 yards that it were you need to draw the line as a bowhunter you owe it to the animal to make a good shot. With time and practice you will be able to shoot groups out to 70 or 80 yards. I do not recommend shots that far on deer but it has been done. I see guys up at the range this time of year (just before hunting season) that have not shot there bow since last season and fling arrows out to 60,70,and 80 yards. And when I say fling I mean FLING. They hit the bail and seem to be happy with that. I know target archers that can put 4 arrows in the 3-4" spot a 80 yards and would not take a shot past 40 yards on a deer. Not saying it can not be done but you should know your limits and stick to them. You need to know deep down that you can make the shot and make it good. You do not want to wound the animal you need to make the first shot your best shot.

[BASS]

Just because I'm wondering and nothing more. What kind of force would be behind an arrow at such distance? I know bullets will loose velocity at certain ranges, but when will an arrow become almost useless? I realize that it's going to depend on draw weight, arrow weight, and a few other factors.

[TREESTANDMAN]

BASS,

 

I believe that most arrows w/ a standard broadhead would have enough weight and kinetic energy to make a kill at any distance if hit in the vitals. Even though an arrow will lose speed, it will never lose enough speed to prohibit it from entering the vitals because of it's weight. Just my opinion.

 

That said, I agree w/ most that there are too many variables shooting over 40 yds or so than can easily result in a wounded deer. If I have a 120" coues buck broadside looking at me at 60 yds am I going to hold off because it is too far?

 

I won't answer that question here.

[coueshunter84]

Only in AZ and maybe a few other western states does this discussion not always end in blood. Thats how bad the debates get over distance shooting out east. Got to love it. But to possibly help answer the question at hand. Consistancy,,,, Consistancy,,, Practice,,,,, Practice,,,,,, Add about 100 of each of these and your pins will start extending out to the ranges you wish for. The bow has to be tuned to perfection. Your form has to work just right for you. Then add the above listed and you should be set. Oh and give it a few years for all of this to come together.

 

 

 

 

As for how far you can shoot an animal. Best to leave it up to yourself. Knowing your own limits and that of your equipment is key. If your bow will not push "X" amount of kinetic energy at "Y" yards I would not shoot. even if I know I can make the shot I will not shoot a mech head farther then the 60lbs of ke line. The ultimate steels on the other hand can go to the 40 lbs of ke line. Thats part of the ethics question. And again something you have to ask yourself. Can shots be made at 100+ yards. I have seen 3 one arrow kills in that range. And several more in the 70-100yard range. So yes it can be done. Whether you choose to do it or not is up to you and your equipment. But you should give the up close and personal side of archery a try at least once also. Nothing like having a bull elk standing in front of you bugeling so close your getting slobbered on ( about 3 feet). Thats a true test of ones urinary retention capabilities. LOL. But there are times that you just cant get any closer, and its definately nice to have the confidence in a little yardage.

[Redbeard]

Bobbyo,

 

I would slam you for both the long shots.

 

Sure people have and will kill animals with a bow at long ranges (50 or 60+ in my book) but you are really increasing the odds of a bad hit for any number of reasons. Shooting a bow in a hunting situation is difficult enough at close range. We have enough problems with anti hunters that we don't need lots of guys flinging desperately hoping that the shot was perfect and the wind isn't blowing and the animal won't jump the string, or take a step, or whatever. If you enjoy shooting long range with a gun or bow do it at a target not an animal. I have much more respect for somebody who kills animals cleanly at close range than one who "JFK's" them at long range. I guess that is because to me this sport is about hunting not killing. I'm not saying I'm perfect in this department. I've done a few dumb things myself over the years. It just seems that there is a population of guys out there that seem to think the object of hunting is to impress other people by making "kills." I don't think there are many of those guys on this site.

 

Here are a few honest questions for you long shooters. Why choose to hunt with a bow if you are not interested in the challenge of getting close? Why not just hunt with a rifle or even a muzzleloader and be sure you kill that animal at 100 yards? Why shoot an animal with a rifle at 500 yards when you know you are lobbing the shot in? Why not get closer and be sure you kill it? I honestly don't unerstand?