Shooting accuracy after dark? Updated!

[Terry Green]

On that note, I'll add, since I was trying to head home and finish the St Judes thread I was working on....

Shooting in the dark is fun, and hones your skills. And yes, it seems to make everything go away cept the attention to the target.

If you are having trouble concentrating on 'picking a spot'...give it a try.

[fnshtr]

Great comments all. I had someone to tell me they stick a spotlight on their target after dark. Standing in front of the light they see their arrow and bow pretty well... behind it they don't. They said they actually shot better behind the spot light.

Interesting. It's dark here now, gotta grab the bow and go out.

Good shooting all!

[tracker12]

No distractions so you are looking only at what you want to hit.  Take the cup away and shoot at a brown glob like Reddoge said and you will see how it can be.

[nineworlds9]

Fnshtr,

Thanks for the update.  Sounds like you may be on to something but recommend you try it at least a couple more times to get some more data.  I'm enjoying this thread.  I am going to do some shooting with a spotlight some time soon and see what happens.  If you do anymore sessions  share them again.

[fnshtr]

Just came in from shooting again. No laser, just a flashlight. First I set the flashlight about 15 yards away and pointing toward the target. I adjusted to get a wide beam and turned the flashlight enough that I could barely see the target.

I was shooting for the center of the black block target but could not see my arrow/bow very well. Neither could I see where each arrow went. Doing this I grouped really well... but NEVER HIT THE TARGET!!! My shots seem to group high left????

Next I moved the flashlight right up to the target so that I could see it well. I had difficulty nocking my arrows. I use two brass nocks and had to try to move my arrow up and down the string to make sure it was properly nocked. Many times it was not on the first try. This time I could see the target well, but could not see my arrow or bow well at all.

With that set up... I grouped well in the center of the target.

All shots were from about 18 yards.

It appears to me that seeing the target is much more important than seeing my arrow/bow/shelf, etc.

I started this thread just asking if anyone else experienced this. All in fun. Not trying to impress or change anyone's mind on styles of shooting.

If anyone else has tried anything like this... tell us about it.

Thanks

[tracker12]

I use my arrow to confirm I am on target vertically.  It works great for me but in very low light conditions I sometimes struggle cause I can not see the arrow.  Heavy canopy can hinder my shooting.  I do not look for any gap just go instinctively from there on.  To help in dark conditions I regularly practice when it is almost dark and I can just make out the target.  I was using a bright spot but quickly noticed that having that bright spot really made me concentrate where I wanted to hit and I was doing great.  Nice idea but I have yet to find a deer willing to wear my bright spots.  I still do the bright spot drill when I find myself looing big instead of looking small.

[Skates]

I love these threads.  Anyone watch the Bare Bow series by Sturgis and Company?  Many ways to skin a cat, and some are good at one way some are good at many other ways.

Like stated above, makes me focus, brings forth the muscle memory to the level it needs to be, and gets me back on track.  I love shooting in the dark.