shooting with consequences for missing

[ozy clint]

after the weekends hunt where i missed 2 gimme shots under 15m, i was practising yesterday with a field point on my 3D target. i got to thinking that i need some form of pressure on the shot so as to condition myself to shooting a great shot when it mattered.

i needed some bad consequences for missing. so i pulled an arrow with a nice sharp broadhead from the quiver. suddenly this shot had more riding on it. a miss would mean a sharp head that took time to sharpen, going into the dirt. wow the pressure was on! exactly what i need! so i concentrated on my shot execution and let it fly. BAM! dead foam pig!

the moral- for me, i think it is very benefical to try and have bad consequences for missing in my practise sessions. too easily i fling arrows without focusing on each and every shot.

anyone else come to a similar realisation?
it was like a lightbulb for me.

[Friend]

Missing typically has had and still has much greater consequences for those whose sustenance depends on a successful harvest.

For me personally, I fail miserably if I let pressure get into my head. Even with my buddies razzing me, stomping or poking me or with a shot on a magnificent creature, I attempt to focus intently on the mere execution of the shot. The bow,thank goodness, takes care of itself.
If great shot execution works well on the range, then continue to belive in it while in the field.

Cosquences during practise sessions for having lapse in form may be beneficial if they promote better form. Example: Each time you make a poor shot do to lack of form then go to the blind bale for 20 rounds.

Believe in your bow.

[cbCrow]

Ozy, I like to pass on to you some advise that was given to me a long time ago from a good friend. We were on a hunt on the Eastern shore of Maryland and I blew a shot at a very nice buck at about 6 yds. Well later I was feeling kind of bad when Bill came over and asked what the problem was. After telling him he sort of smiled and said," I've seen you shoot while practicing and you do good, real good, so maybe if you just shoot at a deer like it was a practice shot you may surprise yourself." He was right I controlled the shakes and thoughts on  the next deer I saw and took a fine 6pt. buck. Let the pressure go and pretend for that moment it is just a practice shot. You may surprise yourself. Hope it helps.

[McDave]

I agree with your plan, Clint, and have two examples of my own.

Recently, I shot in a match at a club in a heavily wooded mountain area.  The club had not taken any particular pains to build backstops to the 3-D targets, so if you missed, it might well be a lost arrow.

I shot in another match last weekend in Petaluma, CA, where they had a fun shoot aside from the match where they had set up targets among rocks and other arrow-breaking goodies.  You were allowed one arrow for ten targets, and once that arrow was too damaged to shoot anymore, you were out.

Both of those reminded me of the futility of trying too hard to hit anything.  If you're going to hit something, you need to shoot your regular relaxed shot, with a full draw pulling through to your conclusion.  Short draws, tight muscles, and worry about lost or broken arrows almost always means a miss.

[AllenR]

Clint, this is a hard one to practice.  You've hit on a good way to do it.

Usually we have problems with pressure shots because we treat them differently than practice shots.  There is no way of getting around the fact that they are more important.  The difference is how we react to the pressure.  

We've all been told to practice under pressure, but nothing duplicates the pressure of a shot at a big deer like shooting at big deer.  

Of course if we loose too much of the pressure feeling, there is no reason to hunt any more except for food.

Good idea with the BH.

Allen

[Ravenhood]

I think you are right on track, It is very easy for me to not give 100 percent on every shot, I have to really and I mean really concentrate on every shot.

[S.C. Hunter]

Shooting with consequences. I agree it works you become more focused. I was in a unit in the Marine Corps in the early 80's and conducted room entries and hostage crisis missions. We practiced until we were sick and tired of the entry techniques and positioning in the room. We soon found out why we spent almost 2 solid weeks at first with no weapon then unloaded weapons. Well the first time we did this with live fire you fast become aware of every team members position in the room. Shooting with consequences works. We had Rangers and British SAS help with this training, they said it gives you an awareness beyond the normal training.

[bowslinger]

Clint,

Your approach seems to work for you, while others find trying to relax works better for them.  People respond differently to pressure.  I found that with hunting I try to convince myself it is low pressure, that I have made the shot a 1,000 times in practice.  But some of my archery buddies do better under pressure due to their competitive nature. They find it easier to focus, the greater the pressure.  Whatever works for you is what you should do.

[hvyhitter]

......shoot at an "IRON" deer or turkey at a shoot...cut out of 1/2 inch steel with a 4 inch opening in the kill zone...an arrow not were its supposed to be is toast!

[kenn1320]

It was dark when I got my new quiver for my LB, and I just had to shoot. My wife was at work, so I went in the basement, put that quiver on, and set my target at the furthest distance in the basement. Either by my computer, or by my wifes sewing machine(s). Well Im still able to post, so yes I put the target by my wifes side of the basement. Full quiver on the bow and started shooting 2 extra arrows at the target. The thought of missing and hearing her rip me a new one did something magical to my shooting. I was on fire, and thought it was the quiver that was helping my shooting. Well went outside tonight for a few shots and nope, the quiver was not helping my shooting. I was less then impressed with many of my shots. This trad is ALL ABOUT FOCUS!