Staying accurate after time change.

[Ozarkhunter88]

How do you manage to remain accurate after time change? During the summer and thru October I have time after work to go home and shoot a few arrows before dark, with the hour difference now I won't be able to do that. The past couple years this has resulted in me having to lean back on my wheeled bow, I'm hoping that won't be the case this season but was curious what y'all do to remain deadly thru the late season.

I should also add that I won't be able to shoot before work either and I don't have a way to shoot indoors.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[Pat B]

If you can shoot a wheel bow you can shoot a trad bow. Shoot at night under lights or simulate shooting by drawing and concentrating then let down slowly and do it again.

[Macatawa]

If you can shoot a wheel bow you can shoot a trad bow....

David....honestly, if you put your mind and energy into it you can shoot just about anything effectively.    I know this to be true by personal experience... and hundreds of other Trad Gangers  here will echo this: Gotta practice...

If you are not willing or able to ditch the wheels, good luck - we wish you great success but your posts do not fit the Trad Gang requirements of traditional only archery / hunting equipment...

[GCook]

I use a stand up adjustable light to illuminate the target. 

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[GCook]

Hey Tony he was asking advice so he could be trad only. 

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[limbshaker]

I shoot on my lunch break at work a couple days a week. Scarf down a can of tuna and some crackers and shoot for 45 minutes.

I usually practice at night anyway, even during the off season. It's a lot cooler out at 10pm, and no worries of the dog or little nephew running around lol. I set my targets up under a floodlight, and let her rip. I get enough light reflecting off the target to see what I'm doing. Sometimes I'll stand in the carport that's well lit if the girl's car is moved.

Even if you can't see to shoot for accuracy, time is never wasted just shooting for form up real close.

I never really thought about till this thread, but I guess maybe it's a little weird that I have always shot at night   

I figured everybody did 

 

[McDave]

Shooting indoors at 5 feet can do you a lot of good with trad bows.  Lot’s of people pass the winters doing that.  The biggest difference between trad and compound bows is holding the full weight at full draw.  If you can learn to do that comfortably and under control, you’re 90% of the way there.  Hopefully you can find someplace inside where you can put a target big enough that you’re not going to zing through a wall, and put your wife’s favorite lamp or something on top to make it interesting.

[Mike Bolin]

When working long days in construction cut into my practice time, I would shoot at night after work. I stuck a small piece of aluminum foil on my target butt and turned on a light in my pole barn. Just enough light came through the barn window to reflect off the foil. Made it real easy to concentrate on the "spot". A good friend used to practice at night in a similar way. He'd place a small piece of foil on his straw bales and lay another bale  flat about 3' in front of his target bales. Behind the front bale he had a candle in a mason jar. The candle gave off just enough light to make the foil light up. You will be amazed at how tight your groups will be when all you have to concentrate on is the little piece of shiny foil. Good luck! Mike

[Hoosier_hunter157]

I back my jeep out of the garage and throw on the high beams. Typically only shoot 10-12 yards under the lights but it's better than nothing.

[GCook]

Necessity is the mother of invention.

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[Machino]

I have a foam block target in the garage mounted at 5 feet for blind bailing but I can back up to 7yds.  Good practice for form and another target if I can't shoot in the yard.

[Ozarkhunter88]

Thanks for all the replies guys, sometimes the best answer is a simple one. I went and shot last night and was surprised at how well it actually worked. I just turned on my back porch light and set the target near it. It's actually pretty cool shooting out of the complete dark into the light. Really makes you focus on your instincts and form more than a sight picture.   

[MnFn]

I shoot a bit every week, all year long.  I have fourteen yards from my lower level rec room, out the door into the garage. usually only when I am home alone.

[Archie]

I use my garage to shoot sometimes.  Set up a target inside, walk out to the drive way and shoot into the garage.  I have a large foam backstop (about 5' square) that keeps me from worrying about missing the target.

[madmaxthc]

I usually try to be at the range around dawn, shoot ~ 15 minutes and then go to work. I try to do it 2-3 times per week.

Max

[yeager]

Retired, so I can usually find time to shoot anytime, unless of course, I am slapped with a bunch of honey-do chores!

[Cyclic-Rivers]

At my old place I put a target in the garage and shot down the driveway. I have a range in the barn now so all I do is turn on the lights. I had a buddy who lived in an apartment in the city. He was able to get 5 yards if he sat in his kitchen and shot down the hall into a closet. He is a great shot.

I also had a 12 yard range in my basement back then. How i didn't shoot the water heater or furnace is beyond me.

A lot of your practice is form and muscle. Don't fool yourself into thinking you have to practice at 20 yards.

I am happy you were able to figure out you can shoot under lights.

[GCook]

Practice after dark is a necessity all year.  In summer because of the heat.  This time of year the dark comes early.  Light up the target and let them fly.

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[soap creek]

Ozark I always have a judo in my quiver and while walking to my hunting spot I will shoot a few arrows. Good practice and loosens me up.

[Ozarkhunter88]

Ozark I always have a judo in my quiver and while walking to my hunting spot I will shoot a few arrows. Good practice and loosens me up.

I like to do this as well, in the morning I'll shoot a couple before i get down from my stand and in the evening ill shoot while walking in before i get real close to my stand.

Thanks for all the feedback everyone, shooting with the lights has worked great