How Do You Practice

[BowNut]

Here is a little up-date since we were off for a few days.

Another lesson learned....Since I switched over to the thumb release and started the program, I now let down if everything is not right. Now here is the lesson....TAKE YOUR COTTON PICKIN THUMB OFF THE KNURLED KNOB KNOWN AS THE TRIGGER BEFORE YOU START TO LET DOWN!!!

 

Another lesson....Since I shoot a spiral cam, I have to stay against the wall and not creep a whisker or the bow will take it back. You know what happens with a thumb release when the bow trys to take it back while you are aiming? Yep a lot of fun going on over here

 

 

Hey dave,

Sounds like a blast. Been there done all that. That is all I shot was spirals before I got my Trycon. How did your arrow hold up!!

[dave]

My arrow lucked out both times and still hit the bag.

 

I am shooting in my garage until I get up to 12.5 yards. That will be a while. If I can figure out how to post a picture, I will take a picture of the drywall behind the target. Nothing a little spackle cant fix. At least I have not shot one clear through the outer wall or the window next to it. If I did see the neighbors cat, I would have to go off of the program for a minute

[dave]

[dave]

This was the before picture:

[dave]

I have a step program, that I use .

 

Its as mechanical as I can make it. I found if I keep the same thing going all the time and refuse to miss a step I do allright. As of yet I have not experienced target panic ( thankfully)

 

1. Identify the target

 

2. Identify the range. Not estimate. I dont shoot 3-d as I canot guess ranges for anything, I have to have the rangefinder.

 

3. Pick the pin. Yes I identify the pin I will use before I draw and take a quick stare at it.

 

4. draw

 

5. anchor, then relax both arms and shoulders.

 

6. make sure of correct bow hand placement and open both hands.

 

7. Find target in peep and put it at the bottom of the sight.

 

8. Align target with pins vertically and allow sight to come down to correct pin.

 

9. Hold breath, and Hover pin

 

10 squeeze.

 

 

 

I do this every time I shoot, Happens with each arrow. The only short cut I take is shooting from a known range. everything else is exactly the same every time. If anything changes I let down and start over.

 

All that is good stuff coueshunter84!

 

May I encourage you to go ahead and do some 3d shoots like I do. I shoot most of them non-competitive, just for fun. My normal routine is to estimate and make the shot, then I range find-it after the shot. A lot of folks range find each shot before shooting. Either way it is good. It is great to get out and shoot and practice by which ever method helps you most.

[dave]

Hope some of you guys have been practicing. I am making progress and should be ready for the December deer hunt I hope.

[coues addict]

Dave

 

I really like the sound of your total dedication! Its to bad more people don`t try so hard to become proficient and even really good with their hunting wepon. I think its a lot of todays world though. Everybody wants to get somewhere fast!!!!!!!!!

I have been shooting archery since 1975. Some years a lot and other years not as much. I shoot a compound and I really like shooting at fairly long distance. I practice at fifty yards all the time. I have found for me the key is very much like Redbeard. I don`t try and push it if I start shooting poorly. I do though like to end every shooting session on a high note. If I am grouping poorly or just tired I will usually step back up to twenty yards and shoot at least three arrows. This works as a great confidence builder for me! I have also found that depending on my attitude and state of conditioning I will usually group pretty good on three arrow sets instead of the league standard five arrow sets. Sometimes I will actually just grab my bow and walk out in the back yard and fire one arrow so that I can gain confidence in my first shot. I really think think your program is going to work out fine and you will probably cure your target panic problem , mainly because you won`t settle for anything less. Hopefully Dec. will be a great hunt or hunts for you!

 

 

Good luck and I really enjoy the reports

 

Coues Addict

[dave]

Just wanted to give a little update. I am at 10 yards now, still. It is hard to correct 30 years of bad shooting in 21 days or 3 or 4 weeks. I feel really good about starting this shooting program. There is nothing sweeter than to feel everything go off right. I may be at ten yards for a while.

One thing I am learning is that I wished I was still 30 years old and had not screwed my brain up with shooting the wrong way.

 

You young folks, please try to learn how to shoot the bow right. Don't end up like me at 50 years old lost in space.

 

Well, I am not exactly lost in space. I am working on what I need to work on. It is a work in progress.

[BowNut]

Hey Dave

Sounds like you are doing great. Not sure if your shooting regiment will allow it but our archery club is having a 3D shoot at Usery the 7th and 8th. I will not be able to make it to the shoot but I will be there to set targets on Fri. I can send you the yardages for a small fee!!! LOL!!!!!!

[BASS]

Do you feel that you are becoming a better (maybe that isn't the best word to use) archer from this? I know that when I change sights, arrows, or rest, I do almost the same thing. I don't make it last so long like you are doing, but I will stay at five yards for a while before moving back to maybe ten yards. But unlike you if I miss, it's a brick wall and not just some sheetrock that is stopping the arrow.

[dave]

Well, I guess we can change the wall or what we chose to shoot at. If you have the opportunity to collect a target that will stop your arrows, that is the one you should shoot at. Thanks to all of you for your good words of encouragement.

 

I just hope this helps new shooters that may take the wrong step in their ideas of shooting.

 

Thanks Bownut for all your help and direction.

[dave]

I am really looking forward to being able to practice tomorrow.

 

Hope the wind is mild.

 

I am at 17-1/2 yards shooting at a four inch circle.

 

The program says I will be finished when I can put all my shots in a 3" circle at 20 yards.

 

I really don't care if I ever get finished; I just want to shoot the bow the way it should be shot. I actually hope I never get finished and think I can shoot the bow. I hope it is always a work in progress.