Accuracy how long?

[Jakeemt]

Hey fella the new guy asking questions again. I have been shooting every day for since January and I was wondering how long it took you guys to develope some accuracy. I can currently shoot a pie plate at fifteen if I really focus. Just wondering ow far off I am and how long it took you folks.

[Skipmaster1]

Your best bet is to take lessons or get together with some good shooters. It will shorten the learning curve a lot!  I took lessons when I shot compound and was a very good shot.  I transferred the fundamentals over to trad and it helped a lot. I recently attended a clinic with Rod Jenkins and thst was an eye opener!  You can learn on your own, but it helps to have help.

[TxAg]

A long time for me  

[JMG]

I agree with Skip. You want to take lessons or take up with other trad shooters before you develop bad habits. Just take your time, don't push yourself and most important, just have fun!!  

[Plumber]

if you don't have some help from someone who knows what they are doing it can take some timeI read Byron Furgusons book become the arrow it helped a lot. do you know if you have the right arrows an is your bow properly tuned?I don't know where you are in the procsse or how new you are this is why I asked.

[xtrema312]

Pie plate at 15 yards is not too bad at all if you do it consistent.  That is better than a lot of people shoot.  I been at it a long time and I don’t shoot that well some days when shooting the same target repetitively for groups.  Lessons are a great thing if you can find a class you can get to.

[JRY309]

I think sometimes you can practice too much trying to force yourself to shoot better.I did the same thing about 20 years ago,shooting every day.Then I took a few weeks off and returned to shoot better.I really like the book by Jay Kidwell,Instinctive Archery Insights.It was a great help to me!There are many other good books.I think develop your form and don't over do your practice.It's better to shoot 10 good arrows then to go out and shoot 50-60 arrows.

[Bowwild]

I like the "lessons" idea but not so much the other shooters. I'd even be careful where I took lessons. There are some lesson-givers who have target panic but who hide it while teaching.

BE careful about mimicking the form of casual shooters. There are a lot of habits some folks have that might work for them (many don't) but would be poor advice.

From what ever distance you can hit that pie plate every time you'll be fine on whitetail-size game. The average white-tail deer killed with recurves is about 14 yards. Its been that way for 40 years at least.

I DON'T give lessons to lay people (so I'm not after a client here) but if you PM me I'll provide some advice regarding DVDs.

[VictoryHunter]

I picked up a video and did a lot of reading. Then slowly but surely over the course of a summer taught myself to shoot.

[Bldtrailer]

Here's a drill I teach , Get a blank sheet of card board (0r any blank target) now put a quarter size dot (of contrasting color)on it. start at 5 yrds shoot a group then back up afew yards shoot a group,keep moving back afew yrds, ect working back as far as you can hold good groups.  This forces you to consitrait on only one thing the dot. you can switch the drill a little by shooting only one arrow at each yardage.  When you switch to a new target say a 3-d put the dot on it for the first few groups and then remove it (using your minds eye) inmage the dot (I also cut out card board deer no dot or any mark forcing me to pick/inmagin the dot on the target.

[Big Lefty]

I'm going into my third year of shooting nothing but Trad gear.  The first year I didn't think I was accurate enough to hunt.  In hindsight, my expectations of accuracy were set too high.  I was a very good competitor with the training wheels, and a very successful hunter as well.

Now in my third year, I'm gaining confidence all the time.  I still have days where my shooting is far from where I'd like it to be.  But now I'm able to practice from 30+ yards, and I can see how that improves my shots from 20 yards.  Last year I wouldn't of dreamed of practicing from longer range, as I doubt I would've hit the target most of the time.

I try to get a few good "blind bale" shots in every day.  I'm also fortunate to have a range a few minutes from work, so I can shoot for 30-45 minutes each day over lunch.  I wasn't able to take any lessons (yet), but I read everything I could here and spent a lot of time watching videos.  

The hardest thing for me to accept was that I would probably never be able to shoot groups like I could with the training wheels.  In time I realized that I didn't need to.  I know my range is more limited now, but I'm also more efficient when I get a critter inside my comfort range.  My only regret is that I didn't pick up a recurve sooner.

[Jakeemt]

Not trying to take shortcuts on or and I discouraged about my shooting just wondering what to expect. My arrows are pretty well tuned in that my bare shafts seem to fly straight and hit near my fletched shafts.  I set up a range I the backyard (yes I am certain it's legal) that runs out to 30 and I have a 10 yard basement range. I always try o quit when I am tired although that can be hard as I always want to quit with a perfect shot. I have no money for a coach so that's out. My practice sessions are not super long maybe 2-4 dozen shafts once or twice a day. I have been thinking I need some more regimented practice routines and I like what some of you guys have proposed. Thank you.  

Jake

[will_hunt]

ONE ARROW PRACTICE. There is no explaining how important this concept is. You do not need to worry about grouping arrows just now.  Use one arrow only. Think about your form on every shot. Look at where your arrow hit and think about what you just did. Relax! Hang a red Lifesaver on a toothpick from the center of the white paper plate. SHOOT AT THE TOOTHPICK! Do this from ten yards to start with. I realize this all sounds far fetched, but you need to STOP shooting at something the size of a paper plate. You can shoot longer using just one arrow and this will give you time to consider everything you are doing as you are doing it.  If you do this an hour a day you will be further along than if you shoot groups for twenty or thirty minutes.

There will come a time that you will find your self wanting to run to the arrow (but don't, of course)and back to the line with it. Shooting will be fun. And you won't feel that you are spinning your wheels.

Pure instinctive shooting is not easy. But, nothing is more rewarding. When you hear us use the term "pick a spot", we mean it...and not the size of a paper plate.

[will_hunt]

The next level of practice utilizes two arrows. You shoot the first and no matter where it hits, you try to shoot it. Think about that one for a while and when you figure that dynamic out, you will be well on your way.

[Cato]

Would be glad to talk with you by phone.  All these guys have some great input.  It is a journey, but a fun one.

For any sport, good form usually lays a foundation for success.  Sure, some few exceptional guys can go about it the hard way and still excell, but for most of us, form is what enables you to get to a higher level.  

There are some really important essentials, in my opinion, which by the way is worth what you are paying.  Stance, shoulder position, basic tuning, in line draw, and back tension are among them.

Read, watch as many videos as possible of really good shooters.  Start with a very, very light bow.  

Masters of the Bare Bow volume three would be a very good purchase.

Enjoy!!!

[Terry Green]

I think you should be shooting better than that by now.

If there is any way to film yourself from draw arm side, the rear, and over head would be great....maybe we could get you more like hitting an apple, or just barely missing it at 15 in a few weeks.

Also, check out the form clock thread stickied at the top.  Proper alignment I feel is the number one KEY to consistency....no mater how you aim or your shooting style.

[Shawn Leonard]

I agree with Terry, it really should not take too long to get good groups at 15 yards. That said I can shoot with most anyone out to 20 yards but beyond that I start to spread out but can still keep them on a paper plate at 30 yards and a bit beyond. Work on form and proper alignment which can be done up close, also shoot a few arrows with your eyes closed concentrating on your form and release, say 4 or 5 feet. Shawn

[Terry Green]

Jake...sent you an email...did you get it?

[Bill Turner]

Get Fred Asbell's DVD on "Instinctive Shooting". It will be $20.00 well spent. You can order it on line from "Hunters Image", a TG sponsor. You say nothing about your bow weight or personal limitations. To much bow weight is a serious problem when learning to shoot for accuracy. You must be able to easily draw your bow to anchor. Hand eye coordination is a must, as is the ability to focus on your target. On another note, are you right or left eye dominant? This is also a problem area for some. Good luck. Hope you figure it out.    

[Jakeemt]

Terry yes I did thank you.