The “Where the heck did that come from” Shot

[JohnnyBa]

Ok, I just need to know if anyone else has these types of shots? You know, at your range, slinging arrows at targets, for me 22yds and in, trying to execute things, hitting in the general vicinity of “vitals” then, WAMMO, a shot that leads into the back forty where arrows seem to disappear faster than a scolded dog. I kinda, sorta know what I did, but cannot seem to rid myself of that occasional shot. I sure do not want to pack that shot into a ground blind. Anyone else have experience with this? Thanks in advance.

[Pat B]

Possibly "slinging arrows at the target" instead of taking each shot thoughtfully could be the problem. 

[supernaut]

I have had an "errant arrow" a few times but I always know it was an operator error issue. 


I had a gnat fly into my eye at full draw once just as I was releasing and I don't think that arrow has landed yet.   

[buckeyebowhunter]

For me, it's target panic. I will occasionally get that "flinch" that sends an arrow to who knows where. I have to battle it, a clicker has helped me a lot. The grip clicker is a nice training tool that doesn't have the string hanging off your limbs.

[McDave]

Two things will do that for me: low string elbow will cause a downwards pull by my string forearm, and therefore a high miss, and/or focusing on my arrow point rather than the spot I want to hit will also result in a high miss. These are not obvious, and I kind of have to figure out after the shot that I did them.   More obvious would be the occasional downward pluck; more dramatic and no doubt in my mind what happened.

[Roy from Pa]

Was shooting yesterday in the basement at 12 yards. I'd shoot 1.5 to 2 inch groups dead center, then every once in a while those groups would be 5 inches high. Started thinking about why. Gotta be my rear sight meaning my head position. So I started tucking my chin tight into my shoulder and laying my nose against the string and after that every group was dead center. So I guess every now and then I was holding my head a little higher causing the high groups. DUH:)

[Miner49er]

I have been trying to extend my hold time by one second . Sounds easy right . I've been using the same hold time for at least ten years. Sometimes I can stop and catch myself , but when I can't ,its not pretty at all . I just laugh it off and say out loud to myself , that I was lucky to have hit the same planet . 

[JohnnyBa]

Lots of good stuff! Thanks for inputting. I meant “slinging arrows” as a pun, I did say after that, that I was “executing” and that means I am not just “slinging arrows”. But that aside I do think it’s a target panic issue that somehow seems to come from just minute lapses of focus. Oh well, I am pretty happy since I really just started shooting less than a year ago, way less. I have been bitten hard though and just love the work it takes and the tinkering you can do with some sticks and a string. Thanks and true shooting to all!

[achigan]

There is a 14 foot tall alien at Nancy’s Broken Arrow 3-d range south of Cloverdale. Three-four summers ago I launched an arrow 3 feet over its left shoulder, some 6 feet from the kill. This past summer I missed my 4x5 block in the back yard about as badly. When I retrieved the arrow, there was no point or insert. I can only guess the same thing happened at Nancy’s.

[Pine]

Sometimes when I'm getting tired I will put too much pressure on the lower part of the bow grip and at 20 yards, the shot can go a foot or so higher.
Had a friend of mine see me do it and pointed it out to me.

[Kingstaken]

Happens when I shoot too many arrows at a time like a quiver full. I cut down to about 3-4 arrows and seems to help unless of course I extend my shooting time then over time.

[George Tsoukalas]

I shoot 1 and retrieve it. That way I can mumble to myself about the shot..

[GCook]

Nope. 
That's my story . . .

[acolobowhunter]

Been there - done that!  Sometimes think it must be the arrow.  Next time I would shoot it first and it would be fine.  Found out it was the operator.
Anyone that this has not happened to lying.