Lost That Feeling! Send Help!

[warbird]

I have to face the fact that I just cant target shoot as much as I would like or should to keep my skills up to snuff through out the year and especially this year. Now its crunch time and Deer season is just 2 1/2 months away. I purchased a new small block target last week. I started practicing this week and have managed to put in two good hour or better sessions. I start up close and drill a few then move back to 10 yds, 20 yds, 30 and 35 yds. Out to about 20 yds my consistancy is decent but at 30 and 35 yds it is terrible. This last session I at least managed to hit the taget 99% of the time at 30 plus yds with a couple in the bull. I tell myself concentrate on the spot I want to hit using the same form and grip every time, follow through and keep my bow arm up. May be part of it is my drawing arm needs to get back in shape. It is hard not to get discouraged when you shoot some bad groups. I have always taken pride in the confidence of being able to take game clean and effectively no mater what weapon I use. Does anyone have any advice or practice tips? Mike

[vermonster13]

Well you shouldn't need to shoot further than 20 yards if you set yourself up properly. So get the 20 and in down and work on putting your stands/blinds/etc where you'll be the most effective with your ability.

[jhansen]

I agree with Vermontster.  Stay within your comfort range and all will be well.  As for the 20+ yard problem, is it possible that you have psyched yourself out about the longer ranges?  I shoot in my backyard.  By setting things up diagonally I have a max of 22 yards.  Of course, that last little bit is in the corner of the privacy fence.  For the longest time I could shoot well anywhere but in that corner.  I had somehow psyched myself out with "oh god, I'm in the corner so I'll miss".  Sure enough, I'd miss.  We are talking about a difference of 6'.      Just something to consider.

John

[Orion]

Your expectations may be a bit high.  There aren't many people who are very consistent with trad gear at 30 plus yards.  That's why most of us limit our shots to 20 and in.

[Corvid]

I can hit a clay bird 95% of time from 10 yards. From 15 yards I can hit it around 70% with any misses being very close. At 20 yards I usually miss the bird, but get close. I generally start out @ 10 yds. for a few groups of 6 arrows. than 15 yds. than back to 10 yds than 20yds than back to 15 yds and so on. My max this season will be 20 yds or less. That I promise to my fellow creatures of the forest.

[Al Dean]

My suggestion would be forget the numbers.  Pick a spot to shoot from and see how well you can do.  If you want to step it off after your done then you will know.

[Jarrod Feiner]

I'm having the same problem as you are: I have three kids and I'm not practicing like I would like to--especially with a big hunt coming up.

With my limited practice time I'm doing my best to not shoot "cr@p". You know, arrows that you knew were bad even before you let them go.
Program the brain to shoot good arrows--sounds simple I suppose--there are books dedicated to undoing habits that have been concretized with cr@ppy shots.

I'm a huge advocate of shooting from far distances, but reinforce your sessions with hunting shots and get the positive reinforcement from shooting close as well.

[warbird]

I use to shoot great out to 30 yds but lack of practice has caused what I call loss of that feeling of confidence. I am a firm beleiver that if you want to take game you have to take advantage of the opportunities that are presented to you. Do your homework, be in the right place at the right time. exspect the unexspected, and having the confidence in your ability to make shots at various yardages. I know that only through prcatice will I get that feeling back. I am looking for practice tips different from my usual regiment. No matter how seasoned you think you are there is always something to learn from others.

[TSP]

I unfortunately can't offer any practice tips that will make you a deadeye hunting shot at 30+ yards with trad gear.  After 45 years of hunting and killing animals with gun and bow all I can offer is that, when you look back at it, respecting the animal and the 'how' part of pursuing them matters way more than bragging rights when someone asks "Did ya' git yer deer?".  Somehow that steak on the plate after season's over just plain tastes better with that mindset.  And if the plate has beef or chicken on it instead of venison, no matter.  If I bowhunted mostly for meat then I most definately picked the wrong sport.  

As Chet Stevenson always said, bowhunting is a short-range sport.  Having hunted with everything from decked-out compounds to a simple longbow I absolutely believe him.  As bowhunters there are better ways to challenge ourselves than to pray to the hunting gods that all the variables affecting long-range bowshots will somehow act in our favor as the shot is lobbed downrange at a  moment of unexpected opportunity.  No matter how good we think we are, the line between skill and luck is very narrow indeed when that multitude of variables, most of them outside the shooter's control, kicks in.    

So don't beat yourself up over not being able to drill bottlecaps or bucklungs at 30+ yards with your trad gear.  Maybe the bowhunting gods are just trying to tell you something.