One of the things I advocate every hunter doing periodically is to go on several extensive stump shooting/roving sessions. The object is to see how you perform in various hunting situations from a variety of positions.
I like to simulate as many different scenarios as I can. I only shoot one arrow at a time and don't range the distance until after the shot. I keep a journal and write down the scenario, the shot distance, and the result. Personally, I count the shot a success if I hit within a feather's length of my intended target. It's either a hit or a miss.
I make sure to shoot from a lot of different positions, from laying on my stomach to standing and shooting behind me with a reverse cant. I'll do some shots holding my draw for 20 seconds, and others by shooting as quickly as I can. I'll shoot while leaning against a tree, or crouched with my bow horizontal to the ground. Uphill, downhill, to both sides of me, under limbs, over logs, etc. I'll take some shots after getting my heart rate up, and some after sitting motionless for a while. The point is to try every type of shot I can imagine multiple times.
I also make sure to shoot while wearing all of my gear. It's a good way to work out any bugs beforehand. I don't like surprises with my equipment when I'm hunting. I don't usually evaluate myself until later on, either. With good journal keeping, it's easy to see what my effective range is, as well as the shots I need to work on.
The only things that this evaluation doesn't account for is my nerves and the attitude of the animals I'll be hunting. I've always said that there's a big difference in being able to hit a target at any given distance and whether or not you should shoot an animal at that same distance.
Topic: Accuracy Questions ? (Read 199 times)
