number of arrows

[Teach777]

I read in another topic about some shooters using only one arrow for practice.  As a newby, is this common?  I've been shooting 12 a session then retrieving, but I'm afraid of messing up the arrows I've got.  I'm shooting from 10 - 15 yds and am still a bit erratic, but every once in a while I get 2 arrows butted up against one another.  Is there a fairly common number you all use when practicing?  Thanks for the info.
Steve

[Blaino]

99% of the time i shoot one arrow and then go pull it. i do it for two reasons... first, more times then not your only going to get one chance to make a good shot on a deer. second, it allows my to focus on each shot rather then going through the motions. to each their own though.

[Stumpkiller]

I'd like to say I do it so I don't have to replace a lot of nocks and fletching - but I do it because only the first shot counts bowhunting.  Shoot, retrieve, move to a different distance.

On occasion I shoot two or three shots.  This morning I took two shots at a 1" x 2" piece of duct tape on a styrofoam block in my cellar from 10 yards and one was centered in the tape and the other touching.  THAT's uncommon.  I shoot at that target at least three times a day - one arrow each time I add wood to the furnace.  I need to box in some vulnerable pipes and lines that run from the ceiling down to the central furnace and then I'll have just under 20 yards in the cellar.    

[Larry Altizer]

Most of the guys that shoot one arrow at a time already have it down pat.

When i first started i'd shoot 6 at a time trying to get them as close together as i could.

[Terry Green]

One arrow at a time and retrieve many times a practice.....if you are starting out...OR...many arrows at time several times if you are just starting out...

Once you learn how to shoot, you can shoot less to keep sharp....but you will not learn to shoot, or grove in your form by shooting one arrow a day if you are just starting out.  You can't learn to do something by not doing it.

You will no doubt here quality is more important than quantity... QUALITY OF QUANTITY IS EVEN BETTER.  No one should or recommend shooting sloppy arrows just to go through the motions.  One of the best archers and bowhunters shot lots and lots of arrows to be the best, Howard Hill, and I will go along with him.

Yes, you do not need to go overboard, and you can shot too many....but starting out shooting one or two arrows is not the way to learn.  Again, you CANNOT learn to so something by NOT doing it.  You need to learn the shot before you can learn to shoot.  Aiming is easy once form is grooved in, no matter what aiming method you use.

If you are worried about tearing up arrows, shoot at different spots on your target if you want to shoot several before you retrieve.

[hvyhitter]

If you are just starting you want to get your form consistant. That is every shot just like the last one. You take 3 - 6 shots from the same spot without moving your feet and trying to do exactly the same thing every time..... make a group. After a while you begin to feel if you do something different on release and your arrow doesnt hit where you want and you get flyers. Take your time between shots, use a smooth draw ,anchor tight, release, keep your arm up for follow through. Dont keep shooting till you get sore,get tired, get sloppy. 20 - 30 arrows at the start and as you get better and in shooting shape, shoot more. Shooting one arrow at a time does nothing if you have no idea where its going to hit or each arrow is 8 inches away from the last.

[Teach777]

Thanks guys.  I really appreciate the info.  This afternoon I shot just 6 per end rather than my usual 12.  So many things to remember before each shot - feet, shoulders, anchor, aim, follow through, etc.  I ALWAYS forget to check at least one thing each time, but it's a blast anyway - especially for an old retired guy.

[BigStriper]

I usually shoot 3 or 4 arrows and then pull em and then try another position,or distance,


Kurt

[BowsanAiros]

It doesn't matter when it comes to how many arrows you shooting ,it's the quality of the shot that counts. Being consistent with every shot another words..
Shooting at a spot and hitting it close or getting 2 arrows close together once in awhile gets frustrating I bet..

Here's a exercise you can do to improve. Take it or leave it ,doesn't really matter...
 
Draw an 1/8" line down your target or on a piece of paper, about 16" long. Shoot at that for a hour or 2, at different distances. If you hit the line consistently you're doing well and you're on the right track... The next hour or 2, shoot at the line with it turned sideways,at different distances...
PM me if you'd like more shooting exercises.. If not, good luck anyway....

[Storkfish1]

Yeah I shoot 4 or 5 at a time from different spots each round. I have my target set up so can hit it from 6 different spots, elevations, distances etc. ranging from dead-on 10 yards to just over 25 yards < the 25 yard shot is down hill, across a mild slop and under the kid's tree house. I've found that more than 5 from a spot and I get lazy and just throw them in the same general direction without aiming as tightly.

Years ago I heard about guys shooting a thousand arrows a day, so I thought I would try it.  I used two four by six foot targets 20 yards apart and two dozen arrows and an 85 pound bow.  I tried to keep a few inches between my arrows.  the first couple of hours it looked like I would be done in four hours of shooting.  After 14 hours hours from when I started, I needed to take a few breaks, I shot a few arrows over the 1000 mark. I was still maintaining a good anchor had less than 18 arrows left out of the 24.  I had a terrible stabbing pain at the base of my neck, my fingers were stiff, and my back hurt.  What did learn? Nothing.  
 Shoot 3 or 4 arrows, if you find that your concentration is drifting take a break.

[charles m]

Originally posted by Terry Green:
One arrow at a time and retrieve many times a practice.....if you are starting out...OR...many arrows at time several times if you are just starting out...

Once you learn how to shoot, you can shoot less to keep sharp....but you will not learn to shoot, or grove in your form by shooting one arrow a day if you are just starting out.  You can't learn to do something by not doing it.

You will no doubt here quality is more important than quantity... QUALITY OF QUANTITY IS EVEN BETTER.  No one should or recommend shooting sloppy arrows just to go through the motions.  One of the best archers and bowhunters shot lots and lots of arrows to be the best, Howard Hill, and I will go along with him.

Yes, you do not need to go overboard, and you can shot too many....but starting out shooting one or two arrows is not the way to learn.  Again, you CANNOT learn to so something by NOT doing it.  You need to learn the shot before you can learn to shoot.  Aiming is easy once form is grooved in, no matter what aiming method you use.

If you are worried about tearing up arrows, shoot at different spots on your target if you want to shoot several before you retrieve.

Proverbial nail on the head.  Could not agree more.

[JamesV]

I am old so I shoot one arrow or just a few then retrieve, mostly to get more exercise with all the walking. When I was younger I shot more arrows to build stregnth and muscle memory.

James........................

[customcrester]

One arrow at a time,it teaches your body and mind to make each shot the best it can be and over time your shooting will greatly improve.It also lets your body and mind relax between shots.

[dragon rider]

It depends to some extent on what you're doing.  If you're doing hunting practice, one at a time, and then go pull it, walk someplace different - even if only a few feet different and shoot again from a different spot.

If you're doing blank bale work for form, shoot as many at a time as you want, but remember that on a blank bale, you have to pick a different spot for each arrow, shoot your round, and then go pull them.  If you insist on shooting at the same spot, you're not going to be concentrating on your form, you're going to be trying to hit that expletive deleted spot.  The bale is an arrow catcher, not a target.  The bale exists because you can't repeatedly dry fire a bow without hurting it.

[Swiftspeed10]

you shouldn't do to many arrows at once, if you get good you'll Robin Hood too much hehe...I like doing one or two arrows rinse and repeat.

[$bowhunter$]

at times ill shoot upwards of 30 this is only because i love to shoot and i have LOTS of different targets.

[Teach777]

Thanks guys, for all your input.  I hit a nock and split the top part of a shaft 2 days ago.  Wouldn't call it a Robin Hood, just a lucky (or better yet unlucky) shot as I now have to replace the arrow.  I have lowered my number to between 3 - 6 before retrieving.
Heck, I'm retired so I have all day to go back and forth to the target   .
Steve