Favorite and most effective form of practice?

[Joeabowhunter]

Bull frogs last summer really tightened up my shooting.  Had a blast doing that with my son!  Stump shooting is great year round though...love shooting on my way into and out from my deer stand.

[Sirius Black]

Roving/Stumping.

[Kris]

Stumping and shooting at anything other than a target.

Kris

[Tomas]

At the club that I belong to we have a 28 station sand bunker broad-head course. Deer silhouettes are hung on a wire in front of the bunker. Just about the most effective in season practice I can think of.

[JamesKerr]

I really think stumshooting or shooting at 3-D targets set in hunting scenarios is great practice. I sure ain't gonna knock on shooting bags though especially at 30 plus yards. I find that really helps my shooting within 20 yards. I also tend to shoot broadhead quite a bit, just to be even more confident when looking down the arrow at live game.

[joe ashton]

stumps are my favorite... but I do shoot a lot from my second story deck...

[Sean B]

Stumpin

[FarmerMarley]

Tomas, I wish my club had a 28 station broadhead range!!!

[ncheels]

Thanks Phoenix and Slowbow.  I appreciate the feedback.  I'll be getting some points to try soon.  

Richard

[ISP 5353]

I really enjoy 3D and stump shooting, but I still spend dedicated time in front the blue and white targets!  I feel this helps keep my form and the competition keeps me striving to get better.  I also shoot at 8 yards in my garage when I can't shoot any other place.  Just a big bag target, but it keeps my muscles in tone and my release clean.

I have learned that whatever practice routine you use, keep it fun and enjoy shooting your bow.  If it feels like work, change the way you do it.  Frustration is a terrible motivator.  If you are having a really bad day on the target range, go shoot at leaves or something else.  Archery is fun!  Keep enjoying it.

[Archie]

I shoot at anything I can kick or throw around in my backyard.  I live in the suburbs, but still managed to get a yard where I could shoot 90 yards (max) if I needed to.

I shoot tennis balls, old soccer balls, leaves, retired stuffed animals (much to the chagrin of my small children!), empty water boottles, etc.  "Roving", I guess.  I also shoot a foam target I keep in the basement.  And I love to shoot outside on bright moonlight nights.  I enjoy the "achery" part of it... always thinking of hunting situations, but just enjoying the loosing of the arrow and watching it fly.

I am also one who likes stumping/roving almost as much as hunting.

[Bodie]

If not 3D then stump shooting for me...

[Birdbow]

Stump shooting first. As for effectiveness, on 3D targets, etc. I only shoot 1 arrow then go retrieve it.

[Butch Speer]

Stumpin' all the way!

[mcgroundstalker]

I like to think that stump shooting and/or roving is a great form of practice for hunting... Life size animal targets on a 3D range, when shot at from "off the stake within cover" can help you build a shot and test your skill level...

... mike ...

[RedStag5728]

Originally posted by Pheonixarcher:
Most effective for me, shooting instinctive, is shooting 'after hours' on a bright night, or with just the target visible. Shooting in the dark has helped me to concentrate on only my target, and let my shooting be as natural as it can be, without 'trying' to shoot in a specific way. It might actually be the most fun too. It's really something to draw and release, not being able to see your arrow in flight, and walk up to the target and see a good hit.

X2 I like to shoot late in the evening when I can barely see my 3d target, one of the problems when I shoot is I tend to fail to follow through and move my bow hand right as I release. Shooting after dark helps me focus on the target as opposed to watching the arrow fly or any other distraction.

Another thing I do is shoot at leaves on the hillside, I pick out the turned over leaves that stand out and I usually can hit within a foot of the leaf (most of the time a little high).

[joe skipp]

For me, all these years it's been roving the hardwoods and stumpshooting. Nothing better than easing around the woods, selecting targets at unknown distances and making those shots from different angles and kneeling.

My backyard offers leaves, twigs, bare spots and at times I'll throw out some foam squares to shoot at...all at unknown distances. I like practicing from 15-40 yds. With deer season winding down, it's a great time for bowhunting squirrels, rabbits, fox etc...

[Terry Lightle]

Stumpin -Hands down