Practice

[Bullie]

I have had my Dakota a week or two now and have really enjoyed shooting it but I feel like I could be using my practice time better.  What do you guys normally do and what would you recommend someone just getting started to do every time they shoot.  Obviously I cannot start at 20 yards and move back like I did with my compound but, what should I do?

[straitera]

Depends. Are you primarily a target shooter, 3-d, or hunter? Or, all 3? Stumpshooting is the best hunt practice imo, & it's big fun! Still nice to round it off with a few bullseyes out to 20 yards or so now & then to assimilate your confidence. If it's fun it's right.

[lpcjon2]

You should be working on your form only not the aiming aspect. If you do not have good form you will never be accurate and consistent. Shoot at blank targets at 10-15 yrds and focus on your draw, release, and stance. when you get the form down your arrows should group together and then you move on to aiming.JMHO

 And check out the shooters forum on the main page.

[SS Snuffer]

After all my many years of shooting bows, I just watched Masters of the Barebow 1,2 and 3 DVD
Got to say I learned ALOT and am shooting better than ever.
Just a thought.

[Sam McMichael]

I agree with the advice to concentrate first on good form befor getting too concerned about accuracy. As form improves, accuracy will take care of itself.  Even after you develope skill, remember to occasionally devote a few practice sessions to closely reviewing form. Form control is what builds good muscle momory to allow you to replicate good shots on a more regular basis.

Now, if I could just follow my own advice more closely...

[awbowman]

Work on your form until you are the best 7 yard shot in the world!

[R. W. Mackey]

Read my Bi-Line.....RW

[PaddyMac]

I usually shoot a half dozen or so arrows right out the back door which is 32 yards from the target to see what kind of mood I'm in... and what I need to be working on. When everything formwise seems to be working, I start just moving around shooting at different distances, in different stances, different cants, over and around things, kneeling, etc. If I start out spraying arrows, then I go to about 15 yards and focus on form only.

[manitou1]

Vary your practice session too.  Don't want to "burn out" from doing the same old thing.  Stump shoot.  Buy nerf balss at Wlly worl, or whereever, and toss them in the yard to shoot.  Try different ranges and elevatios and angles.  First and foremost, get you form and confidence down pat at close range.  A lot of texperts will tell you to start real close until you get good results, then move back a yeard and shoot until you get good results... consistantly.  Do thjis a yard at a time until you start to get comfortable at farther distances. then mix it up.

There are many methods.   Find one you have fun with and enjoy yourself.  I put way too much pressure on myself to get proficient and wasn't having as much fun as I could have.  Once I started to relax, i started to get better.

[gringol]

Lot's of good ideas here.  A lot of people like to start close (5-10yds) and stay there until it gets too easy.  At close range aiming isn't really an issue so it's easy to concentrate on good form.  Eventually you'll need to move back, because the farther out you get the more your form weaknesses show.  

For me focus is the name of the game.  It sounds like some kind of goofy zen bhuddist technique, but it works for me.  I shoot great if I can blank out my mind and just focus on my anchor and the spot I want to hit, and then hold the follow-through until the arrow hits the target. There is really no aiming at all, it's sort of like throwing a baseball. I can't always pull it off, but it works great when I do.

[manitou1]

Dang... I should have held off on those pain pills until after I posted!!! All kidding aside, it goes to show that if you are in a hurry, refrain from posting, or proof read before submitting!
That last post should read nerf balls, elevations, yard, this, and Wally World.  Oopsey!

[Medley]

I do and recommend everything mentioned, but I also shoot "300" rounds. I am not a target archer really, but I have improved my shooting dice regularly scoring myself on the 300.

Get a NFAA 40 cm target face. It has a circle, and 4 outer rings. The center is worth 5 points, then 4, 3, 2. 1.

The round is 12 ends (rounds) of 5 arrows. All. 5's would be a 300 score. This is to be done at 20 yds, officially, but people do it at closer ranges to start.

I practice 3-4 times a week, but try to do 1 serious 300 round a week. Having a score is nice, tracks where you are at, and doesn't lie.

I prefer roving more than anything. But that 300 helps me alot

[Medley]

There is also an "x" in the center of that target face. That is still just 5 points. If you are competing, the x's are tracked and used for a tie breaker.

Also, some use lighter weight bows for better scores. No way here. I use my hunting bow!

[Rustic]

I'm like you. After several years with a compound I went traditional last October. IMO focus on the following:
1. Work on form.
2. Dont worry about distance.

[jackdaw]

I shoot every day for the last year and a half now. And I still prefer to start at 10 yards on the bales to confirm there are no brain-dead form breaks. Maybe 20 arrows there or until my form suits me...then 15 and 20 yards. Once a week I shoot 30 and 40 yards only...it FORCES you to have perfect form to do well at 40, even 50 yards. I ALWAYS start at 10 yards though. I am a hunter/3-D shooter for the large part with an occasional paper target match thrown in for good measure. You may even try shooting ONE arrow and retrieving it each time...it really does improve concentration....works for me. Good luck, hope something here helps. John

[jackdaw]

I guess I should add that although I PRACTICE at the longer ranges weekly, I keep hunting shots to 20-22 yards or alot closer if I can get em'. And STUMPING once or twice a week is a super good practice for range estimation...good hunting practice as well.....ok, off my soapbox...LOL...John

[Chuck from Texas]

Don't make it work. You may want to focus on form at close range for a while to warm up but. after that contiuuously vary your range and shooting position. Most bad misses are low or high. To be accurate range estimation must be an automatic thing. Also take your time do not develop the terrible habit of shooting to fast. Get something interesting to shoot at like baloons.
Chuck