When to start shooting farther

[Fireman2019]

Just came in from shooting.  Been at it pretty much all day, my elbow is throbbing a bit.  My first 2 were touching at 10yds in the 3" circle.  Moved back to 20yds and as long as I do my job and stay focused I have been keeping them all in the 3" circle with the occasional flyer when I mess up.  I am not sure if I should keep hammering at 20 till I tighten the groups up more or start moving back.  What is considered good enough grouping to start to move back?

[Orion]

I wouldn't worry about grouping.  Shooting at longer distances, because it requires excellent form to hit consistently, helps improve the shorter shots as well.  You're shooting well enough to stretch it out. Have at it.

[Todd Cook]

First off, if your elbow's throbbing, maybe shoot fewer arrows. The key to accuracy, IMHO, is not how many but how well.

If you are shooting 3" groups at 20 yards you are doing better than most of us. I'd think you can move back till you start having problems. Enjoy!

[Whip]

I'm like Orion.  I like to do a lot of practice at longer distances than I would take a shot at an animal from.  In real life hunting I rarely would even consider a shot of more than 20 yards.  But by practicing a lot at 30+ it makes those shorter shots seem easier.

Of course you do need to mix in some shorter ones as well.  I like to stump shoot at leaves, grass clumps, etc. and do most of it at longer ranges.  but just before quiting a session I'll take some very focused shots at distance I might actually expect while hunting.

[lbshooter]

Accuracy requirements tend to vary by an individuals specific style and and approach to hunting.  For me personally 3" at 20 yards is about the standard that I consider my base accuracy requirement with that translating to about 1.5" at 10 yards and 6" at 40 yards, this being my max distence for practice these days. Sometimes, depending on the bow and conditions my accuracy is better, other times a little worse.  I am a stickler for randomly changing distance, angle, shooting position and introducing distractions, all in preparation for actual hunting conditions. My end goal is day to day consistency and FIRST SHOT ACCURACY.

[Fireman2019]

I am coming over from a compound and a 3 inch group was only acceptable at 50 and beyond.  Just wanted to make sure what I was doing was acceptable before I pushed it back.  I would love to go stump shooting but that's like intentionally ruining an arrow where I live.  Way to many rocks and the ground is like granite.  I appreciate your guys feedback! This site has been a giant help.

[Friend]

The elbow throbbing could be a key indicator that may eventually place you on the DL. ..Would be prudent to exercise considerably more moderation.

If I was shooting 3” groups consistently over marathon sessions, I could be easily disengaged. The traditional may even provide heightened fulfillment shooting constant yardage. Extreme elevation of gratification may be incurred and gold is often struck by mixing it up as focus improvement is acquired as well enhancements to many other facets of the shot execution.

[ron w]

Groups are fine.....but if your a hunter you need to focus on a kill zone not a bulls eye. Hit a soccer ball all day from any given distance and you will be good to go. Pick a spot and work on hitting it!!........Have fun doing it!

[dragonheart]

I was re-reading an article about Paul Schafer and this post reminded me of one of the things he said.  he expressed that if there was any "secret" to consistently taking game it was shooting at long range to build confidence for when one moves into shooting at game at closer distance.    

[Fireman2019]

Originally posted by ron w:
Groups are fine.....but if your a hunter you need to focus on a kill zone not a bulls eye. Hit a soccer ball all day from any given distance and you will be good to go. Pick a spot and work on hitting it!!........Have fun doing it!

I know what you mean.  Have been using a large bag target as of late.  My backstop of double stacked hay bales with carpet sandwiched in between was demolished by an over zealous herd of javelina.  Apparently there was something in the bottom bales that they really wanted! I am gonna set up my 3d deer and get the backstop fixed today.

[LoneWolf73]

Move back any time to gain the confidence needed to shoot at a particular distance. The tricky part of hunting is to be able to hit the kill zone (pie plate for deer) at the given distance "all" the time. Then all you have to worry about when hunting is the fact that it is a live animal and not a target. Good luck, aim small. The average distance most deer are killed is 18-20 yards with archery. Elk hunting I train out to 40 yards but would probably only be confident out to 35 yards even with the bigger kill zone. Groups are great for confidence but in hunting you get ONE shot with no practice shot.  Alot of times when I go to the back yard I shoot one arrow and if it hits where I am looking that is good enough for the day. Other days I may shoot a bunch to build muscles and work on consistancy. Nothing like a cold day to show how bad your muscles are.

[slowbowjoe]

I stump shoot more than I target shoot, and shoot at varied distances - around 12 - 30 yards mostly. And most of those shots are around 15-20,which I consider my effective range. Almost all my target shooting ( out behind the shed), is 16-22yds. I step back a few more yards sometimes.
That's as far as I get at the target, without moving to "quartering" and uphill shots - which I prefer doing in the woods.

[Gordon Jabben]

Craig, I think you are ready for the longer distances.  I have been shooting for over fifty years and have never had consistent 3" groups at twenty yards but that's not going to keep me from practicing the longer shots because they're just more fun.

[damascusdave]

Seems like we have reached a point in the internet age when people feel they need permission or validation from a bunch of other people before trying something new...do a bit of reading about guys like Fred Bear, or Glenn St Charles or Paul Schafer or the Wensel brothers...those guys would never have thought to ask anyone if what they were doing is okay...they were/are leaders, not followers

DDave

[Kingsnake]

Although I will shoot from a set spot for a while, I always end my session with several rounds this way:  1.  Pull all arrows from last group. 2.  As your walking back to your shooting spot, stick an arrow in the ground at random intervals until you are down to one arrow.  3.  Turn and shoot. 4.  Walk on up to the next arrow, pull it and shoot.  5.  Rinse and repeat until you're back at the target.

Obviously, this only works at a backyard range or other location safe for such activity.

 

Kingsnake

[Mr. fingers]

Shoot at a deer target or animal target that you are hunting. 2 yrs ago I practiced all summer hitting a tennis ball . 20 yd s was routine I could stretch it out a little more that that.
Any way come late august I put out my well worn Glendel and with no bright tennis ball to shoot at I was all over the place.

Just something to keep in mind.
Tim

[lbshooter]

Originally posted by dragonheart:
I was re-reading an article about Paul Schafer and this post reminded me of one of the things he said.  he expressed that if there was any "secret" to consistently taking game it was shooting at long range to build confidence for when one moves into shooting at game at closer distance.        

I absolutely agree with this approach to training, but with one caution.  I have found that you can be shooting superbly at long range and when you move in close, overconfidence may result in a fast or sloppy shot. It is necessary to understand  the short range difference in draw and release timing which can be faster than a long range shot without trading off hunting accuracy.IMO.

[SELFBOW19953]

X2 what lbshooter said.  Don't forget to practice those 5 to 10 yard shots at a clover blossom or other tiny object.  I've taken-and also missed- more than one deer at that range

[kat]

Originally posted by Mr. fingers:
Shoot at a deer target or animal target that you are hunting. 2 yrs ago I practiced all summer hitting a tennis ball . 20 yd s was routine I could stretch it out a little more that that.
Any way come late august I put out my well worn Glendel and with no bright tennis ball to shoot at I was all over the place.

Just something to keep in mind.
Tim

X2  When it comes crunch time, there is no spot to draw your attention to. Your eyes need to become used to picking a small spot against a plain background of brown hyde.

[mike g]

Craig.
   What I like to do for distance shootin.
Is what I call the Draw back....
   Start close to target 4-6 yds, take a shot and then walk back a few yards shoot again, repeat about 6 times....
   Your brain will soon automaticly pick up the yardage....