How often - to retain hunting proficiency?

[GMMAT]

I love shooting my stickbows....and I do it, often.  I think we've all read that many trad. shooters cite the need to shoot every day, to retain an acceptable level of proficiency.

I was reading an article (can't recall where I saw it, now....sorry), where the author said the longer he shoots trad.....the easier his "recall" is.  That's the way I personally feel.  I sometimes feel bad, when I can't shoot as much as I want to.  But I surprise myself when I pick it back up (disclaimer...as long as the layoff isn't WEEKS, which I've also done).

Had a little medical issue come up, last week....and I didn't shoot for 8 days.  Last night, I kinda surprised myself (now, everything's relative...and I set the bar LOW!....lol).

I also admit to NOT shooting NEARLY as much as "normal", during the hunting season.  It's just tough to make time for.

For you guys who've been shooting for years.....do you see your practice time (REQUIRED) on a sliding scale of decline (the NEED for it)?  

1.  I hope I always love to shoot as much as I do, now.

2.  I KNOW I'm more confident, the more I shoot.  Given.

3.  I think we could all probably shoot less (and remain proficient), if we practiced in hunting situations (which is really tough to do, time-wise).

Wed. ramblings.......

[Rob DiStefano]

1. shoot more, talk less.
2. know when not to pick up a bow and draw it.
3. know when yer current draw weight is too much and accept that as a fact of getting older.

i draw a 55# bow past my anchor daily, and at least a few pulls on my 'off side' to help balance the muscles.

[GMMAT]

Rob:

Thanks.  I've started drawing with my off-side, also.  I read that it will help you with back tension (proper).  I can't see any draw-backs (no pun intended).

I haven't tried drawing past my anchor....but I will.

Thanks.

[George D. Stout]

Muscle tone and memory don't go away in a week or two, and ingrained form is usually recalled easily.
You can practice too much as well as not enough.  This is really a simple sport.  Really!  As much as we try to screw it up with cerebral issues, it is still simple 8^))))).

When you can't shoot, you can draw your bow, and visualize the shot.  The mind is very powerful tool.
Use your brain as much as your body and stay in as good of shape as possible as well.  Twinkies in....Twinkies out.    
     

Anyway, sometimes a layoff will erase all of those bad habits you picked up by shooting and thinking too much.    
       

[Mint]

I shoot 3D with my friends at our archery club every Sunday. That keeps me pretty proficient out to 20 - 25 yards. Before hunting season I will go to the indoor range a couple of nights a week to really get up to speed and hit the next level. Unfortunately I usually don't have the time to do that all year but i plan on going back to shooting one night a week at the indoor range for form.

[Rob DiStefano]

if you've been shooting awhile and have the shot confidence it takes to down game at your know kill distances, you don't need, and maybe even don't want, to actually shoot daily.  but it do help to pull string on a daily basis, sans arrow.

[tradtusker]

Originally posted by George D. Stout:
Muscle tone and memory don't go away in a week or two, and ingrained form is usually recalled easily.
You can practice too much as well as not enough.  This is really a simple sport.  Really!  As much as we try to screw it up with cerebral issues, it is still simple 8^))))).

When you can't shoot, you can draw your bow, and visualize the shot.  The mind is very powerful tool.
Use your brain as much as your body and stay in as good of shape as possible as well.  Twinkies in....Twinkies out.    
         

Anyway, sometimes a layoff will erase all of those bad habits you picked up by shooting and thinking too much.    
               

Can't argue with that George said here. Very Good advise.

You'v probably heard it a hundred times but i think quality Practice over quantity is very important.

off season i like to shoot as much as i can

During hunting season i prob shoot the least, just some stump shooting in my hunting gear with the broadheads im hunting with.

I know some deadly hunters that hardly ever practice, and other just as deadly hunters that practice all the time.

[Orion]

I agree with George. Muscle tone and memory are fairly sturdy.  I also believe one can shoot too much, and  I probably do.  Been shooting almost daily (in my basement) for more than 30 years.  In addition, usually shoot a local shoot a week during the winter, and often two on summer weekends, and league shooting one night a week, plus stump shooting year around.  Don't know if it's the repetition or the competition, but I've been fighting target panic for about 20 years now.  Sometimes I win, sometimes it wins.  In those rare instances when I've laid off for a week or two, I usually shoot better when I pick up the bow again.  Likewise, during hunting seasons, when I don't shoot as much.

[Biggie Hoffman]

Rob....I like number 3 the best  8-)

[FerretWYO]

I like to shoot a lot and try to shoot every chance I get. Like Rob said you have to know when not to as well. To much practice without your mind in the game will only make bad habits.

I like others shoot verlly little during hunting season outside some stump shooting.

[Curveman]

I always say I'm going to shoot all winter but rarely do. I'm away most weekends skiing and I just hate shooting indoors at a target. Does my shooting shows signs of that lack of practice come spring? You bet. But I have found that I quickly get it back. George is correct about that "muscle memory" concept. Note, I am not recommending this regimen only suggesting that your mind is only going to make it worse if you're telling yourself that you're WAY behind now etc. When the weather gets nice I am out there regularly shooting 3D, from our clubs tower etc.

[Pat B]

There was a time that I shot 50 to 100 arrows every day until I found my shooting was getting worst. I was over doing it! Now I shoot a dozen or so arrows each session. I also have my bow and arrows handy where I can see them on a daily basis. I can grab my bow and arrows and in 5 minutes get off a dozen or 2 arrows, making sure that each arrow count. If I find my shooting off I put it up for another day.
  I shoot instinctively so I make sure my form, anchor and release are perfect each time. When it comes to the hunt, I want all of the mechanics to be in place so all I have to do is concentrate on where the arrow WILL go!
  I have noticed if for some reason I don't get to shoot for a while my form, anchor and release are usually right on, at least for the first dozen or so arrows. That tells me that all the hundreds of arrows and shot concentration over the years have paid off.
   Generally a month before hunting season I will only take one shot a day, either in early morning or evening. This is at a 3D deer target placed at different locations and unknown distances.

[trubltrubl]

stump shooting is far better than at a range.  Stumpshooting uphill, downhill, through trees , open fields etc. In spring gopher hunting is great practise to. I agree that once a week is enough if you are already proficient.