Practice drill

[Petrichor]

I came up with a drill today.  I'll say ahead of time that I know this in no way represents a hunting situation.

The drill 8 inch or smaller target to simulate a deer's vitals. Pick your max bow hunting distance. For me it was 25 yards and shoot 20 groups of 5 arrows or 100 shots. If it's on the line it counts as in, if its touching it's in. How many did you get? For me it was 83 of 100 shots.  If you cant do a hundred do to injury or whatnot do 50 or even 25.

What this could be used for? I dont really know.  It could be used to build stamina, maybe it could tell you if you are over bowed. Maybe just maybe it could tell you your form is consistent or inconsistent. Perhaps even it could tell you that you could extend your range or maybe that you should wait for a closer shot.  Just thought I'd throw it out there for you all.  Last thing take a picture of your last group.  Is it better or worse than your first? What bow did you use?  I used a 52# at 26" hybrid long bow that is 52" long.

Have fun.

[Trenton G.]

In Masters of the Barebow 5, Jason Wesbrock said something that really stood out to me and kind of goes along the same lines as what you're doing. I don't think I can get it word for word, but basically what he said is that he practices out to 70 yards, even though he doesn't take hunting shots nearly that far. His reasoning was that if your max distance is 25 yards, so you only practice out to 25 yards, then when that 25 yard shot presents itself, you're trying to make the hardest shot that you know how to make on an animal. By practicing further distances, it makes your max range seem a bit easier. It has definitely helped me.

[Petrichor]

In Masters of the Barebow 5, Jason Wesbrock said something that really stood out to me and kind of goes along the same lines as what you're doing. I don't think I can get it word for word, but basically what he said is that he practices out to 70 yards, even though he doesn't take hunting shots nearly that far. His reasoning was that if your max distance is 25 yards, so you only practice out to 25 yards, then when that 25 yard shot presents itself, you're trying to make the hardest shot that you know how to make on an animal. By practicing further distances, it makes your max range seem a bit easier. It has definitely helped me.

Absolutely agree. I was just doing 40 in the yard which is the max for my home range. I get shoot at 50 when I am the wma 3d range so that's nice. I really need to get those DVDs at some point though.

The other thing that puzzles me is this. Fred howard and others of the bygone era took some shots on a wim it seems. Sorta like throwing up a hail mary. There was the story of fred shooting the tiger at near 100 yards and he said I didnt think he was gonna hit it. Maurice Thompson seemed to shoot at anything that moved even very far low percentage shots. I wonder why the modern bow hunter (myself included) is so risk adverse. I mean we say we dont want to wound game and I don't and I am sure the greats never wanted to see an animal suffer. Why then did they take those impossible shots? 

[Bisch]

It was a different time, with different standards!! I know guys now who will take shots they have no business taking! I abhor losing a critter, so I am very careful about what shots I take. Do I miss an opportunity here or there? Maybe, probably, but I’m OK with that!

Bisch