Good training tool

[reddogge]

Distance shooting. I was at the club today and while waiting to put out our target stakes for tomorrow's shoot I did some shooting. The intermediate distances were closed due to a small class being taught and the 20 yarder was being peppered by a compound shooter so I shot the 40 yarder that someone suspended a 16 oz. plastic Sprite bottle to the face.

Nothing sharpens your aim shooting at some distance where every little creep, flinch, jerk, and pluck will cause you to miss the bottle. You better have a good steady aim, back tension, release and follow through or you will miss the bottle. But oh, when it all comes together hitting the bottle from 40 yards is very satisfying and doable. Just coming real close is good too.

[McDave]

I like to shoot even further distances. Although the max distance we shoot in trad tournaments here is 50 yards, I sometimes like to shoot at 70 and 80 yards, and quite frequently at 60 yards, because I think 60 yard shots really help me keep it in perspective at 50 yards.

Oddly, I often find that my 70 and 80 yard shots are better than the ones closer in. Maybe it's because I don't really have any expectations of myself at those distances, and just relax and shoot in a way I can't seem to bring myself to do at closer distances.

[Jack Hoyt 75]

WOW! someday I will.....  

[reddogge]

Our 50 yarder doesn't have a backstop and if you shoot low chances are they glance up and it's a lost arrow. I can shoot 50-60 yards home but after that I'll have to cut off a muhlberry branch. I do have a backstop at my home deer target which is reassuring. I usually come out of the house and fire all my arrows at the deer from the porch which is a 50 yard shot.

[SKITCH]

Hey Richard.   Do you really think its a good idea to be handling a lethal weapon and flinging arrows such long distances while "hitting the bottle" ????  


Um....

Couldn't resist.  Sorry.    :D

[reddogge]

Skitch, you have a good point. I watched the guys flinging them at 50 yesterday at the club and they spent 20 minutes hunting for arrows after. Low ones become skippers.

[mike g]

I used to practice at 50yds a lot, Got to where 1 out of 3 was a bulls eye and most of them in the 9 ring....
    Practice at 50 and anything closer seams like a slam dunk....
    Longshot practice as mentioned above makes you rock steady.

[RecurveRookie]

Right on guys, when I shoot at 40 yds. I'm in the bag but not much of a group, that's where I learn. That's where my arrow shows me what I did wrong.  The occasional bullseye at that range is a real thrill for me. (and a huge surprise)