Confidence issues

[Charlie Lamb]

If your goal is primarily hunting accuracy, then what you should be interested in acheiving is first shot accuracy... not your fifth or sixth shot.

Make a drawing of your target and each time you start a session chart your first shot on the drawing. This will give you a better indication of how you are doing.

A habit that I developed a long time ago is to make every shot I take that's not at game, a form shot.
When the chips are down I forget about form (by that time it's been firmly ingrained) and bring all my energy/concentration to bear on hitting the spot.

Remember that concentration, like the muscles you use to draw and hold, is developed over time.
The longer you shoot the longer you will be able to maintain good concentration.

The trick is knowing when you've reached the point that concentration is waning and go beyond that by several shots while maintaining good form.
DO NOT beat yourself up because of how you shoot after you've reached that limit.

Self confidence and perserverence go hand in hand my friend. Good luck.
 

[Otto]

Molson

Good explaination.  One can focus, "burn a hole" till the cows come home.  In the end, the body does the work of drawing and releasing.  If something's hosed up on the physical end of things, the brain ain't gonna make it right.

[tamure]

Ditto on the video. What you think you're doing is often not what you are actually doing.

Also, try shooting just one arrow. Shoot, walk up and and pull, shoot again, repeat. This helps simulate the "first shot counts" for hunting. For me, it also helps prevent fatigue and lack of focus which may come from shooting a set arrows. It takes the focus off of "shooting tight groups," and puts it back on hitting that one spot the first time, every time.

I don't know how many times I've looked at the target, and there's 5 arrows with feathers all touching right in the ring. But there's one that's way off to the upper right. I think to myself: "well, that's good shooting, nevermind that one winger." Well, what if that winger is the one shot at a deer?

Not to say that trying to shoot groups is always bad, but if you're concerned about hunting, I think focusing on the one first shot is more helpful.

[rybohunter]

Just to answer some of the things that come up, I generally shoot 1 arrow at a time, but sometimes I'll shoot up to 3 at 3 different targets.
 

 Maybe you stopped haveing fun and shooting became work and stressfull.
PS. It is supposed to be Fun!

Honestly I think this may be my biggest issue. These last few weeks have not been fun.

[Molson]

Originally posted by rybohunter:

Honestly I think this may be my biggest issue. These last few weeks have not been fun. [/QB]

Lots of things that are fun, aren't always fun.  Sometimes fun things require work.  Ya gotta love it though.  Good and bad, ya stick with it and it pays off.  

Think about how much more you'll know about yourself and your shooting when you get it worked out.  You'll be way better than you were before!