cold shots?

[sheepdogreno]

Practice shooting one at a time. Shoot an arrow. Do a chore around the yard. Come back one shot....I do this often and I find my first shots are some of my best because I'm so concentrated on it being perfect

[ChuckC]

Hmmmm cold shots. . .  Isn't that where you put the bottle of bourbon in the freezer for a while before pouring ?

CHuckC

[Doc Nock]

Most times when I do GET a shot, I've been sitting a long time...elevated or ground...and it comes without warning!

So when I do a "cold shot" I sit in whatever stand I'm using to "practice" and psyche myself... try to get the heart rate up, talk smack to myself, then bear down and try to really, really concentrate as this is the only shot I'll get all season!

IF I have "laid off" a while on shooting, I usually do fairly well.  If I've been shooting a lot, it seems less beneficial.  I've talked to several other trad shooters and we seem to share that malaise.

I THINK... that the problem is that if I am only shooting ONE SHOT, I can truly BEAR DOWN and concentrate and let the natural rhythm flow.

When it goes well and then I try to replicate it with #'s 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6, I start THINKING and that screws the pooch!  Everything goes to pot.  Like Rod J says, I let the one guy behind and guy in front get into debates on who's in charge and screw it up.

That, and I get tired.  Also, I get bored.  Shooting alone and fully, totally, concentrating ONLY on the shot, is WORK!  When I was younger, I could shoot all afternoon and not loose concentration or tire...no more.

I practice to hunt, so that first one, after sitting and being all stiff from Uncle Arty etc, is the only one that counts!

[VA Elite]

well said

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Regardless of your aiming technique, archery "becomes" instinctive after you log enough time and learn to trust those instincts..... "aim small, miss small" goes though my head all the time. don't just focus on the vitals, pick a dime sized mark or a tuft of hair, or a shadow line behind the shoulder blade to focus on...... the smaller the spot the closer you'll hit....

That's why some guys do better shooting groups because they are focusing on the nocks of the previous arrow instead of the blank target or animal.....

just shoot one arrow, then pull it... practice the first shot every time you draw the bow.

[VA Elite]

once I get a few shots I seem to somewhat find a rhythm but I won't have that in the hunting world. so I will take this advice and start working.

[ThePushArchery]

A good solid repeatable form allows for consistent accuracy regardless if it's your first shot or 100th.

A hard aiming system also is beneficial if you're struggling with 1st shot syndrome.

Keep at it. It'll come

[VA Elite]

last night was fine . today's cold shot was left about 4" as usual.

[Doc Nock]

IF You're forcing yourself to do this daily or more often, you might not truly have your head/heart into it..

Just projecting on that one. I know if I push myself to shoot, I do poorly.  When I really want to practice, I always do better.  

Go figure?    :confused:

[VA Elite]

could be. maybe a few days away from shooting will help.

[Doc Nock]

Again, That is just ME!  I've had a few other friends claim the same thing, but that doesn't jive with many here on this site who seem to shoot constantly... just doesn't work for me well.

Shooting alone might have a lot to do with it.  Shooting with someone ramps up the anticipation so perhaps that helps create a bit more focus?

Seems the only consensus was "DON'T THINK TOO MUCH"

[VA Elite]

I just need to be more relaxed for that first shot.

[Joe2Crow]

I pull back and hold a few times to work the muscles. If it's an afternoon hunt and I don't expect deer to be moving for a while i shoot a field point from the stand. My first cold shot is often a little left too. Then I remember "back tension". I guess it really does boil down to form, form, form.

[VA Elite]

I will certainly be coming to full draw a few times and even shoot one arrow from the stand