Differant shooting methods for target vs. hunting

[BTH]

Hello everyone,
Since I started shooting recurves a couple of years ago I've put a lot of time into training the ol' computer to shoot instinctively at 20 yards or less.
Last year I started shooting 3D with my local club, which combines compound bows, recurve, longbow, and primitive shooters in one shoot (we are all in different divisions though). No allowances for shooting distances; stakes are set at all un-marked yardage at any range. I didn't shoot so well, as far as points go, last year. I did well up to 20 yards or so but the longer distances just didn't work for me. This year I went to the club's annual "ultimate bowhunt" shoot. Marked yardage and some really long shots. I spent a little time and found my point on distance and trained a little at the site in at different ranges. On the range I started shooting point of aim ( I'm guessing here; it may have been gap) at the long shots 30 yards and more and keeping instictive at the 25 or less shots.
I found that really challenged the ol' computer but I felt much more confident and versatile with using both methods.
Does anyone else use more than one method? I really can't see me taking hunting shots over 20 yards...the game around here doesn't hold still that long for me to take my point of aim and judge how far under or over to hold...so I still see value in keeping my instictive style going. But for confidence and the satisfaction of seeing my arrow into the target at long distances it is necessary for me to use point of aim or gap.

[Charlie Lamb]

What you've "stumbled" onto will help your shooting immensely.
In time the perceived gap of that shooting style will meld with your "instinctive" skill and you'll become an even better shot in that form.

I hear a lot of guys rail on about being "true instinctive" shooters and after watching some of them on 3D courses I believe they'd do well to develope an aiming system.  

[BTH]

Thanks Charlie. Yes, I've seen improvement after I opened up and started learning different systems. This definately increased the fun factor for me shooting 3D and stumps. I feel it is very important to know what the arrow will do once I release and the longer distances do provide that test in many different areas; knowledge of arrow trajectory, better distance estimation, establishing windage and elevation, and more scenarios to imprint in the brain.
Thanks,
Toby

[Terry Green]

I guess you certainly could learn two methods for hunting.  Might be a need for another method at some time or another.

BUT, if you are looking to improve your instinctive shooting beyond 20 yards, it takes commitment, dedication and work.  Instinctive shooting is not limited to 20 yards or one subconscious site picture.....it just takes the above and time to learn.  You might could learn that by the time you learn to use two methods.

Or, you might find that another method works best for you overall.

Either way, you gotta find what works for YOU.

[R H Clark]

I totally agree with Charlie.I would ad that with enough practice an aiming system will become automatic if not instinctive by most definitions.

[longbowguy]

R H and Charlie have said it well. Learning more ways to hit your target will over time make you a much better and more complete archer.