long distance shooting

[mountman12]

Hello  all,
 I have been shooting recurves for about 4 months now and was looking for tips on how to become more accurate at farther distances. I can hit very well at 25 yards and in but have trouble when i get out to 35 and 45 yards. Any practice suggestions?

[Ragnarok Forge]

Start watching the trajectory of your arrow flight right after the shot. Let your brain absorb that image and picture it when your ready for the next shot.  Eventually your brain knows where to aim and puts the arrow where you want it.

[jim phenes]

I would say you are doing well only four months of shooting a recurve and your grouping at 25 yds you should feel good about that!

[jim phenes]

as for tips on the longer distances I agree ragnarok forge, practice keep your form and your brain will do the rest, sometimes I will go out to 55 yds and shoot at a large round bail just so when I am shooting at 25 yds the target looks much easier to hit.

[arky714]

try shooting at 60 yards about 30 arrows for 10 days will make you focus harder on target...

[zetabow]

I do a LOT of walkback practice as it help build a good sight picture in your head.

Find a target size your comfortable with I use 40cm Hunter face beccause it's black with white spot and makes it easy to focus, start at around 5-10y shoot an arrow and walk back a couple of yards and keep doing this till you miss, then walk forward half the distance and start process again.

This keeps you focussed\\interested and most important keeps you in your comfort shooting zone while also spending more time shooting the problem,weak distances, if you keep track of how far back you get each day you can see your progress quite clearly.

Dont stop when you reach your target distance as the more accurate you are at long distance the more accurate you are at short distances.

good luck

[mountman12]

thanks so much for the advice guys, i will give these methods a try!

I like to start at my point on with my hunting setup. With my two Robertsons it is 62 yards. When I can get consistent at that range, I work my way in closer until I am close enough to start shooting with less acknowledgment of the point and a more fluid, instinctive rhythm, which on a good day is 35 yards.  I shoot no more than three arrows a round doing this, I cannot concentrate on each shot if I am planning on dumping a whole quiver full.

[Terry Green]

"I have been shooting recurves for about 4 months now"

Typical for that time frame IMO.  You've spend most of your time shooting in close for the 1st two or 3 months and working on form to get accurate during that same time frame.

Just not enough time behind the bow at the longer distances for your brain to grove in the site picture and your form to tighten up.

Stay after it.....if you spend the time.....in time it will come.

[KumaSan]

I have found that the "shooting - walkback" is the best for me to adjust to longer distances. When I'm completely confident, I start at longer distances and work my way in. The mind adjusts to the distance, with practice. Like throwing a baseball.

[Bobaru]

I've found this thread interesting.  I had started a "walk back" on my own as one part of getting in multiple distances.  Zetabow's idea of droping half the distance upon a miss is nice.

What I haven't done is shoot at 60 yards.  The most I've done is 40 yds.  And, I regularily practice between 10 and 30 because I think my hunting distance should't be beyond 20 yards.  

Why would you guys want to practice at 60 yards?  Beyond enjoyment?  ...  Very curious.

[Blood Trail]

At 50, 60, 70yds. it's beautiful just to see the arrow fly. Walking back isn't so great. Stump shooting is the way to go.