Shot in the dark

[captain caveman]

Been doing most of my practice late evening often after sunset under outside lights.  Much cooler and have to take advantage of times around family obligations and work.  Shooting more often now, which has greatly improved my shooting.   Curious if there are any opinions on whether is good idea or not to practice in low light.  Specifically with regards to sight picture and spot picking with instinctive shooting.

[Pat B]

Any time you can eliminate the background you will be able to concentrate on your target better but once you are on stand is the most important time to be able to concentrate. I doubt shooting in low light situations will hurt your shooting. There may be times when it is helpful, ie. within the 30 minutes after sunset or with heavy overcast.

[Bvas]

I don't do it all the time, but I make started making it a point to practice in low light conditions this year. 

When I do, I use a blank foam block.  It does have light and dark spots, but no painted dots.  It's similar in size and shape to a deers main body.  I practice putting arrows in the "kill area", not  the center of the block. I feel it helps train my focus for shooting game in those first and last few minutes of the day.

[Bvas]

I should add, this also gives you a good indicator of how dark is too dark for you to shoot effectively.  Even if its legal to hunt 30 minutes after sunset, you may find you are only accurate for 15 of those minutes.

[Doug_K]

This time of year I do quite a bit of practicing at dusk. The darker it is the better I seem to shoot. I occasionally take a few shots in pitch dark after coming back from hunting as well. It's one area where instinctive shines.

I should add I can't see how it would be a bad idea unless it's the ONLY way you practice.. gotta be used to all the distractions in daylight as well.

[Don Stokes]

I recommend it. Low light is when a lot of game is spotted, and you should know how you shoot under those conditions. One thing I learned is that it's important to use a light-colored finish on your shaft, because you can see it better when it's darker outside, which improves accuracy.

[captain caveman]

Accuracy in full light has not suffered.  I’m shooting better than I ever thought possible.  It’s really exciting and creating more motivation to practice.  Key for me has been frequent short sessions even when conditions aren’t perfect.  My primary concern was not having the arrow to subconsciously reference in sight picture while shooting slowing the instinctive learning process.  This doesn’t seem to be a problem.

[Trenton G.]

I shoot at night quite a bit during the summer since it's too hot to shoot during the day. It's a lot of fun. I love to buy cheap candles and then shoot the flames out. It has really helped me to focus completely on what I want to hit because I can't see my bow.

[Doug_K]

For me, instinctive is more reliant on consistent form & hand/eye coordination than sight picture alignment, that's more like split vision. If someone pointed a laser at a wall 30 yards away in a pitch black room, despite not being able to see your hand, you would be able to raise your arm and point at it, right? The bow is just an extension that complicates the function.

That's my theory in any case.

[Don Stokes]

When I was producing arrow shafts we had an indoor range in the plant where we could shoot at 20 yards. Employees were strongly encouraged to shoot the shafts they were making. I was shooting one day when the power went off, and there were no windows, so it was pitch dark. On impulse I continued to shoot, and put the rest of my arrows near the center of the target, with only the mental image I had when the power failed. The power of familiarity with your equipment and muscle memory is amazing. With enough practice, darkness is not an impediment.

[Terry Green]

For me, instinctive is more reliant on consis& hand/eye coordthan sight picture alignment,


more like spli



 If someone pointed a laser at a wall 30 yards away in a pitch black room, despite not being able to see your hand, you would be able to raise your arm and point at it, right?

Absolutely, shooting in low light and in no light builds muscle memory. You would be amazed what you can do when you improve your muscle memory.