1st shot of the day

[CRM_95]

As I've gotten a little bit better with my shooting, I've noticed my first shot of the day is seldom where I want it. Every once in a while I'll get lucky, but normally it's off a few inches (4'' to 6'') to the left. Even if I'm at 10 yards or so. After that one they get better. My concern is on a typical morning hunt my first shot may very well be at an animal. Does anybody else have this problem? Any advice? I'm not sure what's going on. I guess I may just make it a point to shoot a couple arrows at the truck or at camp before I hunt.

[Bvas]

I keep one field tipped arrow(with different colored fletch) in my hunting quiver.
If leaving from the house, I take a single shot at the target before leaving. If the shot is good, then it's in the truck and off to the woods. If the shot is off, I retrieve and shoot again til I'm satisfied. Always one arrow at a time so I focus just as much as I would on live animal. If I'm not at the house, I will pick a stump, leaf, or anything to shoot before leaving the truck and heading to stand.

[Shadowhnter]

Shooting before the hunt helps. Also, before taking that first shot, take time to prepare yourself. Stretch out your arms, shoulders, back, stomach, and get the blood flowing good and get good and loose. Then take the time to dry draw your bow 3-4 times. The first shot is the most important,  so really concentrate on good form. Keep square to the target, shoulders in line, and keep the release hand close to your face (if you haven't,  develop a second anchor point to go to after the release, thats in line with everything else. I touch my ear lobe.) Dont rush the shot. Invision it really is a deer, and get your concentration. Dont take your eye off that spot until the arrow has long stuck in the target. Start close, take one arrow. Hit or miss, go back to the house and come back in a half hour and do the same. First shot hits are NO different then the 20th shot. Form... form... form.... Missing that first shot is indication your form is breaking down somewhere. Start off keen, and ready. Practice it.

[slowbowjoe]

Consider practicing with just one arrow. Don't even bring more with you to the target. Take a moment before you start to draw, take a deep breath or two, look at your spot. when you feel your attention is with the shot, go ahead. Practice with that one arrow for the rest of the session, and stop before you start losing your concentration.

I find stepping up to the target with a bunch of arrows somehow encourages me to take that first shot for granted, considering "it's just a warm-up, I've got more".

[Cool Springer]

Don't be over-bowed.  You should always be able to control your shot sequence, even on your first shot.

[savagelh]

Try drawing to anchor and holding it a while then letting down before you shoot. I usually do just to warm up if nothing else.

[CRM_95]

Originally posted by slowbowjoe:
Consider practicing with just one arrow. Don't even bring more with you to the target. Take a moment before you start to draw, take a deep breath or two, look at your spot. when you feel your attention is with the shot, go ahead. Practice with that one arrow for the rest of the session, and stop before you start losing your concentration.

I find stepping up to the target with a bunch of arrows somehow encourages me to take that first shot for granted, considering "it's just a warm-up, I've got more".

I had actually read an old thread on here last night about shooting one arrow at a time, from a different angle and different distance every shot. I shot probably 75 arrows or so in the course of 3 sessions like that today. It seemed to help a lot. I've been trying to shoot tight groups, and I usually can out to 15 or so and sometimes at 20. But if I get one bad group it messes with my mind and I'll start shooting a little worse, and eventually be shooting bad. I think I'm going to start shooting like this from now on and see how it goes. I'm also going to make it a point to stretch before shooting, and draw my bow and let down a couple times before I get into it.

[CRM_95]

Originally posted by Cool Springer:
Don't be over-bowed.  You should always be able to control your shot sequence, even on your first shot.

This is solid advice for sure. I started with a 45 lb bow back in December, and for a while it was pretty heavy. But after I started mixing in some specific workouts on my gym days from another archery site, I'm good now. My next bow will probably be in the 50lb range. It was a little humbling at first though!!

[Pine]

Something I do about a month before deer season , I'll sit in a chair on my archery range .
I will work on a walking stick or maybe stitching leather . You could even read a book . Whatever , just be passing time like you would do in a hunting situation .
After setting for a while , pick up your bow and take the shot .
Then go back to whatever you were doing .
Take a shot every once in a while . It will simulate a cold shot .
It really helps me to prepare for hunting .

You have to get you shot engrained in you!!!!! For me, though, my hunting shot is rarely my first shot of the day. Even before morning hunts, I will shoot 3,6,9, sometimes a dozen shots at camp before I head to the stand.

Bisch

[Friend]

My first shot begins with a concerted effort on the complete shot execution and intense focus on the target.

Most typically, my first shot is quite respectable.

Maintaining the proper shot execution and especially focus remains the perpetual challenge on following shots during a practice session or tourney.

[bunyan]

Don't forget to draw and let down while on stand to keep your muscles loose. Especially if its cold!!!

[Shadowhnter]

One other thing. The goal is to hit exactly where you are looking, but on a deer, a few inches off still equates to a good hit and a dead deer.

[CRM_95]

This morning I went out, got ready to shoot, came to full draw, anchored, aimed, and let down. Three times in a row, then shot. It was dead center. I guess I just need to stretch a little and get warm before I start. I'll make sure to shoot a couple times before every hunt as well.