Post by: woodchucker on August 21, 2022, 01:17:11 PM
Ok, let's have some fun, and PLEASE keep it friendly!!! :readit:
Now I personally, have always said, that I couldn't hit water if I fell out of a boat...
Since 1995, I lived in a developement, in a house on a 1/4 acre piece of land.
I had a 10 yard range set up in the back yard. (15 if I stood in the bushes)
Before hunting season, I would practice untill I could hit a 2" spot EVERY time.
3-D shoots over the summer, and stumping with my Judos, extended my confidence out to about 20-25yds.
However, when hunting, I always held out for 10-15yd shots. :thumbsup:
Now that I'm retired, and at the new house (with a 7 acre yard) I'm able to shoot longer distances.
As of right now, I'm putting every arrow in the center of the block target at 20-25yds, and 3-4 out of 5 arrows
in the target out to 30-35yds. NOW, I still plan on keeping my shots under 20 yards!!
But, the better I'm getting at longer ranges, is a HUGE confidence boost!!! :archer:
Post by: Stringwacker on August 21, 2022, 02:52:33 PM
If in my backyard where I am shooting by myself and know every blade of grass...I might be a world champion on a good day. However, when I'm on a 3-D range, my scores tell me otherwise. Likewise, I can't take my backyard results into the woods. Yes I will admit; I can miss occasionally.
I have a room full of IBO and other state championships from the 90's and early 2000's. All before the dreaded TP set in. I have a mild case of it and spend most practice sessions nowadays completing exercises to keep it at bay.
To answer your question more directly, I'm likely just a little better than mediocre if you combine all the variables
Congrats on YOUR shooting. It sounds like you really are developing both your shooting and confidence.
Post by: GCook on August 21, 2022, 04:47:23 PM
Is that every group? Heck no. But it's getting more often than not.
Saw a post on another forum how new shooters complicate things. Traditional is simple. We all saw the ones here too.
It's far from simple if you want to do it well. If you're just having fun slinging sticks, it's simple. You're spending thousands chasing critters around the world you'd better control all you can. And having an "off day" on a five day hunt when you've been roaming the mountain for the animal for four days and finally get your only shot, is unacceptable.
Control what you can. Too many things are out of our control.
Post by: McDave on August 21, 2022, 06:08:34 PM
Another interesting thing is that if you extend out the cone of accuracy from 6” at 20 yards, I should be shooting 15” groups at 50 yards. Instead, I seem to be able to dependably get 10” groups at 50 yards. I think the reason is, 45 yards is my point on, and my gap at 50 yards is only about a foot above, measured at the target, whereas my gap at 20 yards is more like 28” below. Since the kill zone of 50 yard animals at 3D shoots is usually 10” or more, I can quite often hit within the kill zone, which is great because we get a lot of 50 yard shots out here in the west (if the shooting stake for compounders is more than 50 yards, the trad shooting stake is 50 yards or less). Aside from the difference in point-on, I think I’m able to relax more on a 50 yard shot than I can on a 20 yard shot. This probably has something to do with having higher expectations for myself than I can usually achieve at 20 yards, and lower expectations than I often achieve at 50 yards. If I hit the kill zone at 50 yards, it always makes me happy, whereas whenever I miss the kill zone at 20 yards, it always makes me unhappy, or some such b.s. as that.
Post by: Ryan Rothhaar on August 21, 2022, 06:20:02 PM
R
Post by: TIM B on August 21, 2022, 06:20:17 PM
Tim B
Post by: LookMomNoSights on August 22, 2022, 10:06:28 AM
I practice far distances just so the hunting shots I take seem like a gimme. I rarely shoot more that 15 hunting….and most of the time much closer.There is A LOT to be said for this right here! I often incorporate this almost "mind game" approach ......as do many others. For the people who have been at this a bit now, we know that there is a huge mental factor that goes into putting everything together to be a CONSISTENTLY GOOD shot. I say every so often, treat yourself! Treat yourself at least for a little bit, making it the "gimme" and not beating yourself up over the long bombs and why you may not have it all dialed in to be as consistent as you are close up. Shoot close enough so that without a doubt your are exactly where you want to be, as this will keep your confidence high and that with also working on the long stuff, will eventually bridge a mental gap between the two ....... at least this is a mindset I've employed over the years and it seems to work pretty good. And of course regardless of distance, if I feel like my concentration isn't 100% on point, I will see it in my shooting.
Tim B
Post by: Friend on August 22, 2022, 03:54:07 PM
I must be far below average.
Post by: Sam McMichael on August 22, 2022, 04:43:18 PM
Post by: Orion on August 22, 2022, 04:57:00 PM
Post by: GCook on August 22, 2022, 06:21:24 PM
Post by: Mike Bolin on August 22, 2022, 06:28:01 PM
In all seriousness, with my bow arm shoulder issues, I have taken a step or two backwards. I've had to adjust my form and alignment to where I can shoot without pain in my shoulder and in doing this, I actually lost some draw length.
With no cartilage to speak of in my right (bow) shoulder, my shoulder alignment is critical...if I get sloppy, my shoulder lets me know right away. The last few months have been filled with a lot of experimentation as to what causes pain and what doesn't, but after shooting a certain way since the '80s, I still slip up sometimes.
I like to shoot 3-5 arrows from different distances (walk backs or walk ups, only one shot from each distance) and end up with a softball sized group. As of right now, out to 18 yards is where I'm most confident. Sometimes the arrows drop right in there at 20-30 yards, but not frequently enough...YET!!
Post by: Sean B on August 22, 2022, 06:53:22 PM
Post by: Walt Francis on August 22, 2022, 09:11:53 PM
What I am good at is getting close to critters, then putting an arrow where it needs to to go.
Post by: A Lex on August 23, 2022, 04:37:01 PM
I don’t claim to be a great shot, decent, but not great.
What I am good at is getting close to critters, then putting an arrow where it needs to to go.
This ^^^^^
Although I wouldn't yet say "I'm good at getting close to critters", more like "reasonable" at getting close.
Always working on getting better though.
Best
Lex
Post by: mgf on August 23, 2022, 08:25:46 PM
Post by: kennym on August 23, 2022, 08:57:06 PM
Post by: A Lex on August 26, 2022, 07:39:24 AM
Well this is one arrow at 20, one at 15, and one at 10.
This is what I'm expecting.
I cannot always punch them in like this, but they are usually more than good enough.
I shoot well enough at 20 to know that I'm better at 15 :biglaugh:
Best
Lex
Post by: A Lex on August 26, 2022, 07:42:11 AM
I'm a bit challenged with the technical stuff, but if someone knows how to fix it, I'd be most grateful.....
Best
Lex
Post by: Roy from Pa on August 26, 2022, 07:50:34 AM
:laughing:
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Post by: kennym on August 26, 2022, 08:24:40 AM
I guess I do ok:)
:laughing:
Looks like the fire extinguisher took a few on your off days... :laughing:
Post by: Roy from Pa on August 26, 2022, 08:45:52 AM
:laughing: :laughing: :wavey:
Post by: kennym on August 26, 2022, 08:49:20 AM
Post by: Roy from Pa on August 26, 2022, 09:03:32 AM
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Post by: Bowwild on August 26, 2022, 11:28:14 AM
I've only shot recurves for 15 of the 52 years I've bowhunted; the first 5 and 10 of the last 12. In those 15 years of recurve hunting I've taken only one shot past 21 yards. It was ill-advised and thank goodness a complete miss above a small buck.
Our season starts next Saturday. I'll be setting up for 15 yard shots.
Post by: George Tsoukalas on August 26, 2022, 11:39:47 AM
Post by: the rifleman on August 27, 2022, 12:14:57 PM
Post by: GCook on August 27, 2022, 07:56:37 PM
Post by: Lonster on September 03, 2022, 09:39:16 PM
Occasionally I hit close to where I’m looking.
I am pretty proficient at 17 yards.
Post by: Lonster on September 03, 2022, 09:40:18 PM
Post by: Greenstyk on September 04, 2022, 08:15:07 AM
Post by: Kirkll on September 04, 2022, 10:44:40 AM
Quote
Just how good of a shot, do you think you are...??
This question could be answered with “Pretty Good” for a lot of folks at 15-20 yards with various actual results from day to day. But what you personally consider good, or the dreaded term “good enough” may seem poor to others.
Hand eye coordination, and consistency with a stick bow, a compound bow, or even a smoke pole, requires practice and refinement of consistent form. Once you get to the point where “You think” you are getting good, move back 10 yards, then 20 or 30 yards.
This is where you start seeing how important your form refinement is, and how much your back tension, alignment, and getting off the string clean really make a difference. Every little thing amplifies at 40- 50 yards. Your 4- 6” size groups at 20 yards you were so proud of won’t even hit your target at 50 yards sometimes.
What I found out was practicing at 40-50 yards will humble you big time, and have you reassess your form technique and alignment issues you didn’t even think you had….. but if you stick with it until things come together, your groups at 15-20 yards will result in much tighter groups, and even pin point accuracy.
My definition of “good enough” is when you have to quit shooting groups and need to pick 5 different spots at 20 yards or you often blow the knocks of your arrows, or cut the fletching off your hunting arrows with the broad head’s. Practice at longer distance can help you achieve that kind of accuracy if you are so inclined.
Another exercise in a “how good are you” reality check is cold shooting. Instead of going out and shooting two dozen arrows a day, or more. Shoot one arrow at sunrise, and one at sunset for 5 days at different yardage . Then go look at your group….. You may change your perspective on what’s good enough. Shooting 3D is good practice too.
Btw…. I’m never good enough personally….but I do OK come crunch time.
Kirk