instictive @ short range but what about long range

[Three Arrows]

Sure you can shoot instinctive as far as you are capable of judging distance.  You just have to practice a while at that range.  I have shot all different ways except string and face walking.  You can move a little and miss at those distances using sights, releases, gap, barreling, etc...  When you shoot instinctively, you put the arrow there through repetition and practice.  Good form and repetition.  Get a good wide backstop sometime and shoot in the dark with just a small light on you bale and see just how "instinctive" you really are.  I truly believe that the shoot-in-the-dark method is the best indication whether a person is truly instinctive or some form of arrow aiming.  I tested this theory a few years back using a minimaglite and shot the thing on the first try at 26 yards at night.  I also get a few comments that instinctive archers really aim the arrow.  You can see the arrow in the daytime, and it somehow gets in the sight picture, but it really is just a double check thing.  Most instinctive archers like myself shoot really awful when we try to aim using the arrow.  Now you are welcome to flog me for my stand!!!

[arkiewoodsman]

i appreciate all the good feedback. and the "positive" reinforcement too. i love shooting instictive. it just feels more like a part of me than if i aim. i have shot in the dark alot too. actually, when i get off work its usually dark so i put an light on my target and shoot in the dark most of the time. i definately dont look at my arrows. i dont even know what color they are.lol.
 i am new to this sight and what a wealth of knowledge and experience! It truly helps me in my quest to fulfilling my potenial as a traditional archer, howard hill or not.

[BLACK WOLF]

That's just the thing...we may not all become Howard Hills...BUT...we can strive to become the best we can be by educating ourselves through websites like this one, books, videos, friends and coaches. If an archer doesn't strive to become better...than they never will be.

Ray  

[Terry Green]

No worries!

"but I still think there is a benefit in being realistic"

Yes, but how do we know what is realistic until we push ourselves to the limit?

"A total commitment is paramount to reaching the ultimate in performance"...Tom Flores

[BLACK WOLF]

"Yes, but how do we know what is realistic until we push ourselves to the limit?"

I would say that life teaches us that and it started when we were kids. It also helps to have people in your life that are honest like a coach, friend or family member that are sharing things with you that aren't based on their own insecurities and are still willing to support you as you follow your dreams.

Remember gym class...when your teacher picked you to pick teams or you were standing in line waiting to be picked. Fact is...some kids are more gifted athletically than others...just as some kids are more gifted academically than others. It's usually quite obvious which ones are which after spending any amount of time with them.

Take American Idol for example...it cracks me that sooo many people really think they can sing and are so unrealitic about their abilities or capabilities.

I believe there is almost always room for improvement. I don't like to set people up for failure but at the same time I'll support them and guide them if they want to try and shoot for the stars...even if the odds are against them.

It's just at some point a person has to find out exactly what their gifts are and be realistic about the areas in their life they may not be so gifted in.

Ray  

[TSP]

I think when it comes to hunting, where the consequences of our actions are much more personal than simply hitting a bullseye, we need to be VERY careful about distinguishing between pushing ourselves to the limit and overstepping our bounds.  Thats a hunter's responsibility... to recognize and accept the boundaries inherent to killing, vs. those inherent to just shooting.  They certainly are not the same.

[Terry Green]

TSP......right.....targets are different than shooting at animals.  

I aint gonna shoot at a whitetail at 60 yards, but I'll sure shoot at a rabbit or squirrel at that distance...cause I'm either gonna kill it or miss it.

But shooting confidence at 40, 50, or 60 yards make those big game ranges much more makable.

[eggomaniac]

lbm  sorry, but when you said you were 'point on' at 30 yards, I thought you meant you saw your arrow tip on the target at 30 yards. I got confused by the term. If I remember correctly, Rod Jenkins said his 'point on' is 40 yards?
I guess you meant that your arrows are landing 'on' the 'point' of the target you are focused on at 30 yards. Good for you, that's great shooting.
I don't think instinctive archers would even know what their 'point on' is?; unless they have kind of noticed out of the itsy bitsy corner of their eye over the years?

[longbowben]

I tryed the gap method i sucked, every time i changed distance the worse i shot.I do not shoot over 25 yards at big game.Im going elk hunting this year so i wanted to know if i had to shoot long distance .So im comfortable with point on just at 30 yards.

[longbowben]

My shooting style is just like Gene Wensel.Three under high anchor.

[eggomaniac]

At soccer coaching courses we were taught to make realistic goals for our teams. For some teams a 500 season would be a victory, and others could set their sites on the league cup.
The point was to be the best you 'can' be at your skill level.
Everything Black Wolf has been saying just makes sense! Though TSP's comment was longer, I finally read it, and it is also a very good read!
I am sure there are many, at least a few, NBA players who practise as much, strive as much, devote their lives to basketball as much as Steve Nash does, and still can't be as great as him. I just think it's realistic to say we can't all be a Steve Nash. Why not? gifted with natural athletic ability.

[Plainsman]

It's all about practice!  The first year I went full tilt traditional and instinctive I shot almost daily out to 50 yards and occasionally beyond.  After three months of continuous shooting, I could keep every arrow inside an 8" circle out to 40 yards.  I felt as though I 'owned' ANY target inside 30 yards that year.  As it was, I shot a weasel at 18 yards by concentrating on it's EYE and hitting a few millimeters behind it that winter.

As to shooting 60 yards or more, I would say if I could practice like I did that year and extended my practice ranges out to 70 or 80 yards, I'd be able to be consistent at 60.  I firmly believe that you are best at ranges of 10-20 yards LESS than your furthest "practiced" ranges.  So if you only practice out to 20 yards, you'll be your best at 10!! BUT, if you practice out to 40, then you can be that much more consistent and cofident at 20-30 yards!!