This will be my first year hunting w/ trad gear. Im pretty good at 15yds and in, past that is pot luck. How long did it take you guys to get proficient at 20 yards? Over the years my avg. shot at game is 17 yards. I guess if you look at it that way I dont have far to go! Any suggestions on how to practice. Thanks.
Just shoot every day at 20 till you are satisfyed then move to 25 and do the same and so on and so on.
Danny
As Danny said practice practice practice. No one said it was easy :cool:
Shoot em at 17 brother! Works for me :thumbsup: .
Sorry, forgot to add that the most effective practice method I have ever found is to use a single arrow. It will slow you down and really make you concentrate on each shot.
If it was easy everyone would be doing it.
I like to take empty plastic pop bottles and just through them all over the yard and shoot one arrow at each. Don't forget to pick them up or the boss will skin ya!
Robert... The very best way to extend your effective range is to figure what range you want to be comfortable at and double that figure.
I.E. If you want to be comfortable at 25 yards shoot at 50.
At first you need to devote yourself to the longer distance and don't shoot any closer. After a couple weeks try your hand at 25 and see what the results are. I think you'll be pleased.
Also let me suggest you shoot at a narrow, vertical target. That will refine your alignment, which I feel is critical to good game shooting.
One comment to add. Shoot a lot but make each shot like it's your only shot. Perfect practice makes perfect shooters. Each shot should include good form etc.
Ron
Charlie beat me to it...
Practicing at longer yards requires more concentration and focus and really puts the emphasis on form. These things together will improve your effective shot yardage as quickly as anything. One more thing don't over shoot during a session. When you get tired stop. Forcing one more shot will hurt more than help.
Thanks for the info guys. I hung a bright orange flor. bobber on my target today and shot much better. Before I was just shooting at the block w/ no spot on it. Sounds like Im loosing concentration during the shot.
Another fun way to praactice distance, Is what I call draw back practice....
Start close 8-10 yds, shoot an arrow and then walk back a few steps shoot again, do this for 6-7 shots I usualy stop at about 40-50 yds out....
I varied in accuracy until I got serious about "working the bag" at very close range and run through all the steps of the shot (lots written on that elsewhere) slowly, with focus, at very, very close range (5') and not worry a lick about where...just the FORM!
Kinda boring at times, but boy..it sure helped!
Shot much better again today. The bobber is missing some chunks! The "fliers" are happening less and less. I even added an xtra 100 gr to my arrows to get them up to 700gr+-. Thanks guys!
My biggest challenge with extending range is being able to concentrate on the spot. It gets tougher the further away you get. Work on maintaining concentration on that small spot and you will find your effective range moving out.