Basement Shooting

[bigugly1]

So with all the snow I have in my backyard plus working till 8 it's kinda dark when I get home so I set up a bag in the basement. I'm getting myself aquainted with a new bow and commiting myself to hunting with it. All I have is seven yards and I have to get on aither one or both knees to shoot. Is it worth it? Im in frame of mind of shooting is shooting right now. I did nothing but form work and not really worrying about hitting a spot or I should say try. I did end up trying to group a few times...  I guess I'm asking is it worth trying to work on groups at just 7 yards or work on form? Thing is I don't even now if arrows are tuned properly or bow is tuned cause really 7 yards is not much of a challange. Should I just work on anchor and release or pick a spot?

[moebow]

BU1,  YES!  It is worth it!  We have the same problem here with the snow but this is a great time to shoot blank bale and really refine your shot.  Do not worry about "picking a spot" for this. In fact cover any spots on the target and just use it to catch arrows.  Don't worry about groups either.  Just work on your form.  You'll be surprised how easy it is to hit a target if your form produces repeatable shots.

One suggestion I'd make though is to try to get your target up to shoulder level if at all possible.  Working off your knees is doable but it would be much more comfortable to be able to stand.

[Stumpkiller]

Be careful, though.  I've been shooting a lot in my basement.  Went out this Saturday to my 3-D and at 20 yards my first arrow was a foot low!

[mahantango]

Absolutely worthwhile. I shoot all winter in the basement at 10yds. I have shoot kneeling or from a three-legged stool, which is just fine hunting or awkward position practice. The key is really small targets and multiple spots to save arrows. I hang a golf ball size foam ball from a string with a small screw-eye in front of a block target and on a good night can hit it 2 out of 3 shots. Keeps me sane during winter! I do agree with what Stumpkiller said though. After a whole winter of shooting at ten yds. I went rabbit hunting last week, and the first few shots  were a little squirrely. Anything beats not shooting all winter.

[LH Keith]

I also find myself doing alot of basement shooting this time of year ( Up to 24" more snow expected with our next storm ).
 I can shoot up to 14 yds. One thing for sure, it definitely taught me to "cant" the bow! Slapped a floor joist ONE time w/ my upper limb, no damage but scared the crap outta me!

[Stumpkiller]

I just ordered a bag target and am going to try and get myself a decent lane through the basement.  I have plenty of height at this house (9 ft to the rafters - rare and a first) and will be able to get 18 yards without endangering a fuel tank, feed line or electrical service.  I've been shooting at a styrofoam block on the woodpile for our furnace that only gets me 10 yards.  Looking forward to longer indoor practice!  If I shield the fuel-oil droplines to the furnace I can get just over 20 yards!  Another benefit of a long ranch house.

[PA stickbow boy]

I'm with Stumpkiller. I used to shoot in my basement all the time. When I was finally able to go outside & shoot my groups at 20 yards were horible. It really messed with my judgement. I got a big 2D moose target and started shooting at 30 to 40 yards and when I moved back into 20 my groups were the best I've ever shot. For me, shooting outside at longer distances was better help to me than the time I spent shooting 7 yards inside. BUT that's just me. Other people may & probably are different. My advice is try it out & see how it works for you.  Either way you'll still have fun shooting!!!!

[BobCo 1965]

Yes it is worth it. Unfortunately, I can not stand and shoot my bows in the basement since the ceiling is too short. I can sit and shoot 15 yards though and I practice as if I were shooting out of a blind. I also shoot upstairs,standing at a blank bail at 5 yards.

[Red Tailed Hawk]

It is worthwhile, ive been doing the same. I am able to shoot 15 yards in my basement. I have been shooting from my knee's because my ceilings are 7'. I dont want my top limb catching on a floor joist.

[Barney]

The only stipulations I had with my wife when I built this house was 10' ceilings and 64' long shooting lane. My kids and I use it all the time (my son mostly). It was a good investment. 2 burlap bag targets,a broadhead target 2 foam blocks and a mckenzie bear  

[njloco]

No basement, so I got the snow blower and made a 20 yd. path in the back yard right after the storm. Only problem is I went out to shoot today, and it was too cold after only about 15 shots, wish I had a basement !

[Boom Stick]

Try shooting while sitting in a chair, especially if you hunt from one or sit in a tree stand.  It can't be fun shooting from your knee too much,  mine aches just thinking about it.

[59Alaskan]

I shoot in the basement almost daily.  I do try to get outside on the weekends (I am not at home during daylight) and I shoot inside at ranges 1-3 times per week.

I didn't do so hot last night at the indoor league.  I think it's because I didn't practice all last week because I was out of town then went to K-zoo and shot a bunch of other bows.

So, tonight, I went down to the bag at point blank range and focused on form.  I extended out to 5 yards for a bit.  I will hit the range on Thursday and the outdoors this weekend.

Form work is great in the basement.  Plus, if you have a spring turkey season you can work on up close seated shots.

[Elkchaser]

I can shoot out to 9 yards in my basement.
I like the fact that it keeps my shooting muscles in shape during the winter.

[sawtoothscream]

i shoot in the basement every day. still working on my form. i have about 10 or 13 yds to play with.

[bigugly1]

Guess I'll just keep working on form I don't think I could go a day without shooting. Getting this new bow is the best think I've done in a long time. Went to shops indoor range today that offers 15yards and I was amazed at how far I've came in just a few days of shooting form. I am just getting back into this and after doing so much research I had a lot of bad habits to correct but I'm a quick study and results are happening.

[jcp161]

I've shot in the basement for years and it's helped quite a bit. I've had the same problem as others due to a low ceiling and only a ten yard distance but it beats doing nothing. Good practice for shooting from kneeling and sitting.

Makes you really concentrate on your shot too. I have a hole in the front of my bar from one shot when I apparently didn't pick a spot.  

[jon boy]

I have only a 4 yard shot in my basement.  When I moved into town 6 years ago I thought my shooting would suffer.  I was wrong.  I am working on form for the most part and that has help when I do shoot outdoors.

[Kurt Miller]

I had an 18 yd range in my my basement but just had most of it finished so I now I am down to 8yd.  Better than none.  I actually spent lots of time at the shorter ranges working on form anyway because I also have the luxury of shooting as far as I want in the backyard or roaming the woods stump shooting to practice for hunting.  Weather using not too bad here so I get out a lot.  Good luck working on your form.  Being able to shoot anytime is awesome.

[bigugly1]

Well I have moved from the basement to the upstairs hallway and it has me shooting 13 yards now, thankfully I also have a very understanding wife. I am totally addicded to shooting my new bow I can't get over how well it shoots, if I do my part it shows me the results every time. Funny how as soon as you release you can tell if your form was off! No holes in the walls yet...I'm sure that will change.