Tips for low light shooting?

[Michael Arnette]

I would try shooting in the total dark with the target well lit...I have done this for years and now shoot as well or better in low light.

[maineac]

I too find my shooting dissolves as light drops.  I think it has to do with two things.  One already mentioned several times is ability to see your spot.  The darker the hardest to pick I think accuracy is highly dependent on quality of vision.  As light fade our clarity of focus decreases as the center portion of our eye loses the color rods. This gives less detail to the brain, making it hard to piece the information the brain needs to hit a particular spot together. Additionally I think it decreases the depth perception.  I often shoot low in low light.  When I duck hunted more we would set decoys in the dark.  When light arrived I was amazed how close the decoys usually were.  for me low light makes thins look closer.  My brain holds low.

[tippit]

My arrow disappears first.  I shoot all white shafts.  Gives me a extra 10-15minutes shooting time...tippit

[59Alaskan]

I find low light forces more concentration.  I believe it was one of the Wensels or Asbell that said to imagine you are shooting at a dime or a button on the kill zone.  I find that immensely helpful and find low light practice actually pushes me more toward an "instinctive" shot.  Do you need a spot to "see" one or can you mentally "create" one where you know you should shoot?

Cyclic Rivers makes an excellent point.  When hunting you have to know your shooting lanes well as small things disappear quickly and they can deflect arrows for sure.

[Sam McMichael]

As my eyes get older, I handle low light less and less successfully. That's just part of the aging process. I don't think turning on artificial lights is a good idea, only my personal opinion. I feel we need to shoot in the natural light. One reason is that we need to shoot in the conditions we will experience in the woods. Another reason is that you need to realize when it is too dark to shoot well. Granted, some will need to shoot under lights in order to shoot at all due to other priorities; however, I do not think it is a viable low light training aid. Simply shoot until natural light runs out. Others will disagree, which is fine, as these are thoughts that apply to me alone.

[kat]

Just as a side note. The way I read the original topic was 'low light'.
 We have some very overcast days and when in the deep woods, the light is less than optimal.
 Many times, it can be 2:00 o'clock in the afternoon and be harder to pick that spot.
 I personally don't see well enough to stay until sundown in many cases. The little tips do help.

[Gdpolk]

Yep, this is about low light in general which absolutely does include bad weather hunts.  I try each year in the off season to pick ONE of my biggest weaknesses and improve upon it.  I feel this year it's low light shooting and adaptations.  I've been known to grab a scoped gun in crummy light on dark stormy days just because the scope helps cut through the shadows.  I've also noticed as light fades my accruacy and maximum range diminish exponentially.  I simply start to fall apart as it becomes harder to see.  While I don't expect to shoot like Legolas in pitch black, I do think I can make progress towards improving my skills/concentration/comfort level in less than ideal lighting conditions.  I also expect that as I improve on this that it'll lead to more/better shooting/hunting opportunities and I'll have fun challenging myself throughout the off season.

[old_goat2]

Practice in low light, I actually shoot really well in low light think it's the only time I'm actually totally instinctive since I can't see my tip!