posted
First and foremost I'm a deer hunter. I love to shoot 3D but the ultimate goal is practice for October. I don't usually do much bowfishing but it looks like I may have a little more time this summer.
My question is do you guys think a long summer of bowfishing helps your shooting or creates bad habits?
Rob
-------------------- I'm just a guy on a buffalo. Posts: 1843 | From: S. Indiana | Registered: Jan 2011
| IP: Logged |
posted
As long as you maintain your shooting form it will help as it is more practice, but for me I have a tendency to start shooting too quickly and not get to full draw and anchor. I do great shooting at loafing fish or undisturbed fish feeding in the shallows but I always want to shoot the ones that spook and very quick shots are necessary. It's fun and I usually go 3 or 4 times in the spring but I quickly get tired of looking at carp and a bucket full of fish I can't eat.
Posts: 484 | From: Grand Haven, Michigan | Registered: Nov 2009
| IP: Logged |
posted
rob since i switched to shooting 3 under and rick welch style i think the bowfishing helps with my form practice i dont tend to form bad habits by snap shooting of course i dont get as many shots at fish but there is always a trade off kevin
Posts: 1053 | From: HESPERIA MICHIGAN | Registered: Jan 2008
| IP: Logged |
posted
It affects my shooting enough after a long summer on the water, that I switched to a compound for all my bowfishing. If I think of it as 'not archery' & use equipment I consider 'not bows' I found it really helps me maintain my real bow shooting.
-------------------- "I came into this world, kicking, screaming & covered in someone else's blood. I have no problem going out the same way"
PBS & TBT Member
>>---TGMM, Family of the Bow---> Posts: 4802 | From: Tullahoma, TN | Registered: Apr 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
i have been bowfishing with my ig for 15 years, i feel it makes me a better shot. where can you shoot on moving animal often
Posts: 1010 | From: Decatur, illinois | Registered: Sep 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
How can anything that is so much fun, be bad for you? I think it does get you to rush "some" shots, but realistically, sometimes we have to when in the field too. If I used the same bow, it might take me a few shots to settle back in, but ....
-------------------- Advice from The Buck:"Only little girls shoot spikers!" Posts: 6321 | From: Hesperia, Mi | Registered: Dec 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
If anything, it hurts me. I find myself snap shooting, not coming to anchor, plucking and other bad habits. When I concentrate on form, I do much better.
However, it's too much fun not to go after those carp, so I live with my maladies.
-------------------- Lon Scott Posts: 4344 | From: Auburn, Washington | Registered: Mar 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
I think it helps my shooting. I won't take a shot until I have ascertained it is a carp or gar. I don't shoot at shadows to re-enforce the old adage to not shot until you are sure of what you see. Because it is a carp, I don't care if I don't get a shot. I practice waiting for a high percentage shot.
This approach helps me develop the discipline to not rush a shot, to make sure of my target and to practice proper form at a living target.
While I enjoy bowfishing and find it exciting, it does not fully replicate the adrenaline I associate with big game or turkey hunting, so who knows? I have never had a carp excite me so much I thought my knees would buckle!
-------------------- Hunting is the only sport where one side doesn't know it's playing - John Madden Posts: 491 | From: Omaha, NE | Registered: May 2008
| IP: Logged |
posted
I'm with Rob on this as well, bowfishing absolutely screwed up my hunting shooting with my recurves big time, in fact it got so bad I almost quit trad hunting due to my poor performance on game. I spent over 2 years working with a clicker and lot's of practice to get back to shooting well again. I too switched over to a compound for my bowfishing, more specifically Onieda and it has helped be develop a anchor and more consitent shooting with my recurve as well. It also has increased my hits and recovery on big fish as well since I like to concentrate on shooting big fish and not numbers anymore. Bowfishing with a recurve I tended to snap shoot and half draw all the time which led to a lack of penetration on big fish and with shooting 1000's of shots during the year you tend to ingrain that routine in your shooting so when presented with a pressure situation shot as in hunting big game I would tend to short draw and not settle in to my anchor and shoot low on animals or just fling before I was ready, it was very frustrating. Since hunting is my main love and bowfishing second I had to make a change to continue to enjoy trad hunting wtih my recurves so I made the change and as I said it has been very benficial to me.
Posts: 844 | From: Cartersville, GA | Registered: Mar 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
In my case, I think it helped. Having to pick a spot low and usually off the fish forced me to aim and has helped with my snap shooting. I do practically all of my bowfishing walking the bank or wading, stalking the fish which helps with a more controlled shot. I have shot off a boat which can lead to shooting fast. That could cause some issues over time.
I shot half a field course last weekend; that will make you work on your form.
-------------------- Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement.
"The next best thing to playing and winning is playing and losing."
When it comes to shooting well, the arrow is more important than the bow. Posts: 4285 | From: Rochester, IL | Registered: May 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
You still have to pick a spot to hit fish constantly, I would rather shoot carp than 3D shoot for the fact that on the 3D range most shots taken at targets are farther than I would shoot at game.
-------------------- Proverbs 12:27 The lazy do not roast any game, but the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt.
John 14:6 Posts: 6035 | From: silversprings ny | Registered: Aug 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
Good post Rob. I have terrible shooting form, I am a snap shooter with no anchor point and I attribute it to bowfishing. That may be bad on the 3-D range but shooting at a live critter I know it has helped me. Especially from a stand when you have to contort your form in anyway to get the shot.
-------------------- "Dog on Point" or "Deer on Ground?" Posts: 6453 | From: Kentucky | Registered: Jun 2007
| IP: Logged |
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
Printer-friendly view of this topic
![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
