nervous shooting

[RobinHood1389]

went shooting at the local indoor range today after work with the girlfriend and the uncle (uncle shoots compound, though intrigued by my longbow).

Anyway, this is the first time I have shot with my uncle. Naturally I was a tad nervous as to doing my best "prove" that trad gear is just as accurate as modern.

I was shooting decent but nothing spectacular. I was shooting at a life size rabbit paper target.

Once my uncle left (cant shoot as long as me), I threw the paper target in the trash and used only the florescent pins that hold the targets as my target.

Amazing!! I slammed all 4 arrows within a 2 inch circle (all around the pin, none on the pin). In my opinion, 2 inch circle grouping at 20 yards is a great day!

Just felt like sharing my day at the range. Insane how much being a little nervous can have such a great effect on my shooting.

One year at a shoot two compound shooters started harassing me while I shot. Like they had never seen a longbow before and thought they had some kind of right to do it. I tried to ignore them. I started flinching badly and had a hard time shooting after that and for a long time I could not control myself at 3d shoots.  John Schulz told me to forget about going to competitive shoots.  I had a string of no missed shots on deer that was making me think that I could go back to a 3d shoot. This year at Coon Rapids the old devil caught up with me again, but this time it was only when there were other people were around us other than my family and it did not show up since, but I have not been shooting where there are other shooters around me.

[RobinHood1389]

I know the feeling. I loved going to the outdoor 3D shoots around here but I do so poorly due to "staring eyes" and unnecessary comments of my "inferior" equipment. 3D is a blast! Oh well.....

cough cough *stupid wheel bow shooters* cough cough

[YORNOC]

People like that really try my patience. There is no reason for it, they just do it to make someone else miserable. I tend to have little tolerance for things like that, which is never a good thing in the end.
But you're right Kyle, a little nervousness can really throw a wrench in things. Anything really.

[Eric S]

Small targets = small groups       nice shooting

[David Yukon]

I'm the same, when there is a lot of people around, I don,t shoot as good... That said, the day you can shoot great even with people around you and with them making comments, it meens that your can realy focus and be in the zone!! I wish I could do this!
I rather shoot on my own that shooting with a bunch of...

[briarsdad]

I have the same problem. I shoot every day at least 50 to 100 arrows if not more. When I shoot with my buddies shooting compounds I loose it for some reason. My groups go from 3" to 12" at 20 yards. I think I go from enjoying how relaxing traditional shooting is to feeling the pressure to perform well and keep up with them.

[RobinHood1389]

I just reread my previous post....just a slight clarification, the uncle didn't make any negative remarks. he was rather interested actually. I was just nervous being around a "new" shooter. lol

[JRY309]

Aim small,miss small! I like the pressure of shooting in front of other people,makes me concentrate more.I shot a 3D course a few years back and the last two targets were in front of the clubhouse from an elevated platform.Two deer targets,one at 30 yds and one at 50 yds.I hit the 10 ring on both targets with people watching,gave me a good feeling.

[OHtar]

I have had bouts with this over the years. I have shoot pistol, and rifle competitions since I was young. There was a couple year period where I would fall apart under the smallest amount of pressure. The best thing you can do is to keep going, keep giving yourself the pressure. I would avoid matches, that I knew would be more pressure,and eventually almost quit shooting. It was only after realize the problem that I could face it. you have to be confident. If you have self doubt, you will begin to question your ability. In traditional archery you need to be clear, and focused. It is different for everyone one, and i am by no means an expert, but this  helped me.

[Pat B]

What Eric S said, aim small, miss small!  The smaller your target the tighter your shots should be.
  Years ago I decided not to keep score at 3D shoots but use them for hunting practice. When I concentrated on score and with others around my shots went all over the place. I now buy a score card to support the shoot but shoot only for kill shots and in many cases, in my experence, hitting the 10 ring would only wound an animal if I were hunting. So, now I look at the 3D target and place the arrow in the kill zone without thought of card scoring...plus I have more fun shooting and playing grab-ass with the others shooting with me. It is all about fun but I still get my hunting practice in.
  In one of the Wensel's videos I remember Gene and Barry argueing(discussing) about being able to shoot well with others watching. One said he shot better when alone and the other said if he shot well he should be able to shoot well with others watching. I can shoot pretty good with others watching but shoot quite well when by myself, either at the practice butt or hunting.

[Autumnarcher]

I quit keeping a score when shooting 3D a longtime ago. Sometimes I do still carry a scorecard, but instead of keeping track of 10's and 5's, I simply write on the card K, W, or M.
I dont necessarily base it on the score rings either, as many of them arent anatomically correct.

At the end of the round, I simply want to see how many shots were clean kill shots. I often skip targets that do not present a shot scenario I would actually take, based on distance, positon etc. I shoot 3D for hunting practice only. I usually fair pretty well. Its more fun, and more realistic practice.

[cbCrow]

I do the same thing that Autumnarcher does,  it works. Where I live its about 10 to 1 compounds to trad bows so I just get in there amongst them and do my thing. Usually they'll ask if they could try a shot of my LB after a while. matter of fact one called back in September and asked if after he gets his deer if I would help him learn to shoot the LB he bought. Just people, sometimes you have to tune out the idiots.

[Friend]

Easy to say...harder to do.

Let nothing intefere with extreme adherence to your established routine for excellent shot execution. Whether targets at home, on the range or live subjects, own and stay with your routine. Use your routine to your advantage.

Celebration may then follow the contemplation step of a complete excellent shot execution.

Many of these issues are not unlike a receiver who loses focus and turns to run down field before catching the ball. The intended outcome is then unlikely and occurs quite frequently.

Possible viable plan for sucess: Master and own your routine
.......................Strict adherence to complete routine

.......................Celebrate for you hit the mark or then you are in better position to ascertain the reason for error and fully address it with the next shot

.......................Every shot is to be addressed with the utmost commitment and confidence. The last shot is history.

.......................Realize that consistent near perfect execution may take its time and remain motivated and energized to accept nothing less.  None of us are immune from having a mental lapse. Falling on the cold wet soil, only means you just get back up or remain grounded, wet and cold. We are humans and not machines and many of us appear to be more human than others. As humans though, we have the mental capability to learn and vastly improve by enhancing mental control. The reward is great.

All too often, I fail to make a good execution.
After years of self comdemnation, I realized that getting back up, refocusing and performing nice shot execution or at least attempting to was quite rewarding in and of itself. Finding enjoyment in all facets of the journey is a dream like no other.

[lablover]

I quit going to mixed shoots, I hit 5 shoots a year and they are trad only. Not just due to comments but due to the difference in attitude towards shots. Now I shoot with other guys who shoot like me. Well most shoot better, but thats another story.

[Pat B]

I have only shot once in a mixed shoot with compound shooters but never again. At 61 I don't have enough time to wait for them to range, sight, range again sight more than shoot. I could already be half a course away before 3 or 4 of them can shoot! d;^)

[Rob W.]

I always get nervous shooting in front of people. On the outside I'm cool and collected but inside it gets to me. I'm not sure what I have to prove to anyone but I guess some part of me thinks it does.

As my shooting has got better it isn't as bad but is still there.


Rob