Frustrated

[BigCountryOK]

Hi all.  Newby here.  I've been lurking a bit and have already learned alot but I have along way to go.

I grew up shooting a recurve.  Then went to wheel bow but still shot instintive, then I got all the gadgets and got all messed up.  I've recently decide to get back in to traditional archery after 20yrs.  I've been shooting about 40-100 arrows a day for the past 2 months.  

I've been shooting a D/R longbow 58lb @28 66in.  I started out in my garage and got to where I was busting knocks at 10 yards. As soon as I went outside and stepped back to 12 yards the inconsistancies started.  I would should a good group then just lose it.  Now the good groups are becoming harder and harder to find.  I've decided to put the bow down for 4-5 days and just step back and start over.  I'm not sure where to go from here.  

[Gray Buffalo]

Welcome: I feel your better off shooting 20 good shots per day working on form. Once your tired 30 - 40 arrows form go out the window.

[reddogge]

Try not shooting groups from the same spot.  Move around each arrow.  If you can hit from all of the spots then you won't feel so frustrated.  Besides, this group thing is way over emphasized on the forums.

Or take a couple of judos and wander around in the woods.  Good for the soul and ego.

[BigCountryOK]

Thanks for the advice. I honestly think I may be over analyzing everything.  It seems like the more I've thought about it the worse things have gotten.

I may be a bit over bowed for starting out, but its what I've got at the moment and I know I can shoot it because I've done it.

A walk through the woods does sound like good therapy all the way around at this point.

[stevemfwills]

try shooting a lighter poundage bow and work up,,,most important thing is dont give up and have fun

[cbCrow]

In my humble opinion I think you have a focus problem. By that when you shoot in the garage everything was static, you have a roof and walls creating a tunnel for you. Outside you now have different scenery. Things move , you hear noises,even the smell is different. So you need to focus on just the target and only the target while putting distractions out of your head. If you can master that than the technical stuff may come into play.    
P.S. NEVER GIVE UP,it will define you!

[BobCo 1965]

If you are busting nocks at 10 yards, then you're physically shooting well. What I am saying is that this is not a technical or physical problem. It is mental. You are now shooting outside your normal comfort zone which you have shot extensively. This is actually very common. I have seen students who have perfect form when shooting blank bale up close just to have their form disintegrate when moving them back a few yards.

My advise is not to concentrate so much on the target (12 yards) but on the form that you were using to bust the nocks at 10 yards. Take your time and give yourself some positive cue words before adressing the target (each shot).

[BigCountryOK]

Thanks for all the advice and encouragement. I'm not going to give up.

Thinking back on it I think it is a focus issue.  I would come out of my garage sessions feeling relaxed.  (Shooting breaks up my day and seems to be almost a form of therapy.)

I don't get that shooting in my yard. I think I'm too busy watching my surroundings and trying to keep from "upsetting" the neighbors.

I'm going to head out to the woods for some therapy and see how it goes.

[stevemfwills]

ya get ya some small game heads or judos and have some fun

[bowslinger]

I'm with the others on the focus issue.  There is much more going on around you outside that your brain is trying to absorb.  Try making a conscious effort to focus on the target.  It may help.

I have the same issue at times.  I practice short range form work in my basement and step outide only to have form fall apart.  A brief stop to refocus on form and target usually does the trick.

[Paka]

Im in the same boat. Nightime, 10 yards , in the garage hitting nocks ,, sometimes. Then outside the next day 14 yards, cats, kids etc. barely even hit the target. Will try all avice, thanks guys

[Cottonwood]

I've shot nice tight groups, and then for some reason they scatter like roaches when the light goes on, at 5, 10, 15, 16, 18 and 20 paces.

Its when I don't think about it, that I shoot the best.  It is mental, like BobCo 1965 said.  Just remember, nothing becomes instinctive unless done 25,000 times.

I to was like you, I started out 41 yrs ago with a traditional bow, then I got the gadgit disease and thought I needed training wheels.  Well I could not be happier shooter instictive again.  I gave my modern compound to my son on 05/21 as I had been only using my Bear Kodiak, and love it.

Getting out of garage, can effect your focus and mental thought process.  Start at 5 paces and work out from there.  Stay outdoors, and not indoors with your shooting.

Keep up the good work.

[bowbenderman]

I was just told, its takes at least 21 days to engrain your sub-conscience.  So I am practicing on a blank bale for 21 straight days, shooting 70 arrows, 10 arrows on each section of my form.