Interesting Shooting experience tonight

[Greg Owen]

I got home from work just before dark tonight and thought I'd take a few minutes to shoot a few arrows. My first shots at 15 yards showed my usual paper plate size spread. As it got darker, my spread decreased till the last 4 groups of 4 arrows were literally 1.5 inch groups. This is better than I have ever shot. How would you explain this?  

My take is that when I could see the arrows hitting the target, my mind would try to think where the next shot should go. This caused the wider spread. But when it was darker, I had no idea where the arrows were going and I was just subconciously aiming. It seems I am thinking to much about each shot. I think its encouraging that my form allows grouping like this. Has anyone else tried this?

[Bill Shepard]

The same things happens to many of the officers in my department.  When we practice shooting in low light, they shoot better.  With firearms you can only concentrate on your sights in the dark.  With a bow, I guess, you can only concentrate on your target.  That's my hypothesis, anyway.  

Too bad you can't hunt after sundown.   :rolleyes:

[Brent Rudolph]

Bill I think you are right on. I was in law enforcement for several years and found night shooting to be higher average than daytime shooting. I attributed it to the fact that you are less occupied with visual stimulus and concetrate on form more.

[Greg Owen]

One thing I forgot is I had a glow in the dark spot on my target. This forced my concentration there.

[Widowbender]

That theory makes sense to me. In low light you are probably less distracted by the aiming process and focusing more on form. Although, I'm never been hampered by thinking too much...at least that's what my wife says!  

David

[Brent Rudolph]

Yeah Dave, my wife said something like that too, something aobut I never listen to her or something, I can't remember what she said Ohio State was getting beat at the moment.

[Larry247]

Try this, put up a candle in front of your target far enough away not to catch your fletching on fire and try to shoot out the flame... You need to try this it helps you focus.

[kawika b]

I get the same results when shooting at night too. I put a spot light on my target and set-up in the garage doorway abot 17yrds away,,, I get very good grouping. At low light everything for me is processed by "feel". When everything feels right I let loose.

[BradLantz]

moonless night, put a lit candle at 30 yards

you'd be surprised how close you can come to it

[Greg Owen]

I will have to try this. I think this could be a good way to judge whether a problem is form or mind.

[Can Hahaka]

Focus, eh?...AKA... pick a spot....

[Gerry]

It probably is caused by better cocnetration since you are not releasing as quickly; as the you need to focus more on the target. It is heightened by the loss of depth preception.  Opposite of a premature release caused by the reaction to a visual stimulus.

[Greg Owen]

Tonight I will try it again and see if it repeats. That is, if this rain doesn't wash me away.