How many arrows and how often do you practice with your bows? What distances do you folks have everyday access to shoot? What distances do you feel confident with?
I am limited by work and access to 4 or 5 days a week maybe and my back yard is about 18 yards total. Maybe once a week at the range were the distances are longer. I am new to this I don't feel I am ready to hunt past 25 yards?
Everyday at least 30 arrows, from 25/10 yards.
I shoot every day maybe 100 shots during 2 or 3 sessions. I shoot regularly to 40 yards with an occasional 75+ lob. As season nears I shoot fewer shots with more determination on just one shot. Many will tell you to limit your shots to 20 yards or lees on game. I would say that depends on terrain as out west you may be offered a much longer shot that you should be prepared for.
I shoot every day that I can. I'm a pretty good shot. I don't think many folks here are ready to shoot past 25 yards...maybe one in a hundred. I killed an elk at over 35 yards this year but that was VERY unusual. I won't shoot at a whitetail past 20. To answer your question, I usually shoot for about an hour or so 3 to 6 times a week. More when I can. Make practice fun and challenge yourself. Shoot against someone, it adds pressure and keeps you sharp. Flinging arrows only can sometimes be a recipe for bad habits and sloppiness. Make every arrow count and don't shoot more than 3 or 4 before pulling. I practice up to 40 yards but only to increase my feel for varying distances.
i work out of town so at least twice a week. most of the time only one. that said i am comfortable out to 20 yards on a TARGET. i dont any shots over that on game. i practice most of the time 15 to 20 yards. get a old basketball let the air out and kick it where it stops is the distance you get to shoot on the roll. this helps me in gaugeing distance out in the feild
Thanks guys, It's nice to have an experienced frame of reference.
I am finding that I shoot better when I shoot 3 to 5 arrows (like Horne Shooter) and pull. I am steadier and seem to have better concentration and control. It also extends my shooting time:) When I get to the range I will shoot longer distance but my accuracy falls off. At 57 years old with creaky shoulders I shoot 50 to 60 arrows,much more than that and it becomes painful.
I generally practice twice a week for only ten minutes or so. I will bump it up in the few weeks prior to season and during season. Always inside forty yards. I like to shoot at very random distances. I don't shoot as often as alot of people I know due to time constraints but I shoot just as well or better than them most of the time. I think a small amount of very carefull and deliberate practice will go a lot farther than one would think for those who have trouble getting much time to shoot.
Everyday year round from a dozen to 50 or more shots from 5 to 100 yds. I probably shoot 1 20 yd. or less shot for every 40 plus yd. shot I take. I'm 56 and if I still want to shoot 75-80# I can't let the bow lay around too long. I believe in the Paul Schaffer philosphy that if you practice long and can get consistant at that then the close shots are gimme shots.
Sounds like a few of us are in the same age group. I'm 58 and recently retired. I sometimes shoot every day for a while then I might take 2 or 3 days off. Any more than that and I get withdrawal symptoms. I also vary my practices; sometimes just target dots, sometime 3d targets, and sometimes I make up a game using both. Two things I do consistently each time I practice 1-vary the distance on each and every shot, and 2-only shoot 5 arrows in each round. My distances vary from 8 yds to 50yds.
The only thing I would stress is stop shooting at the first sign of getting tired. Too many bad things start happening when you get tires.
I shoot everyday (unless it's pouring out),be it one quiver full or for 30 minutes.I have multiple targets(Block,3D deer,bags,stuffed turkey decoys) and can shoot up to 40 yards.I vary it up quite a bit.I also have a treestand setup in the yard as I do 90% of my bow hunting from a tree.Sometimes I like to vary it up during the summer and shoot BH's and FP's together too.
I'm working on my own 10 target 3D course too.
not enough, but according to my wife, too much.
As much as my shoulder let's me... :(
vtmtnman, you are a lucky man. My version of a treestand is an 8' ladder. I'm always worried that a neighbor will call the police on me ...
Bobw, my wifes favorite tease is....it's the bow you love not me ....
joekeith, my shoulder and I argue all the time and it all ways wins ..........
I try to shoot at least every other day in my yard and about once a week at the range.
I rarely shoot more than 30 shots in a session
(a little more at the range).
For me, 25 yards is a very long shot on game.I can only shoot about 15 yards max. in my yard.
I set my blinds or stands for 10-15 yard shots on game.
During the HOT summer ... 3-4 times a week (usually every other day) maybe 20 at a session... late in the evening.
Come late August, I try to shoot more (and I shoot my broadheads) in preparation for hunting season. I don't practice much over 25 yards and try to limit my shots to 20 yards and under. Here in south central AL, foliage stays on the trees till usually early November, so long shots in the woods are nearly impossible to make anyway.
Two things come to mind for me:
1) Shooting is fun so I do it whenever I can- given my life style- I usually can shoot at least a few arrows (10-20) 5x a week (with 1- 2X of those more serious at 50-100).
2) When it comes to training, Jay Kidwell's book on Instinctive Archery can help; as there is other types of training that you can do without releasing an arrow. This other training is often neglected, yet may be some of the most strategic stuff you can do. It has REALLY helped my accuracy.
Dan in KS
I try to shoot at least 40+ arrows a day at 10-25 yds from the ground and also the newly installed treestand in the backyard, from now till season opens its almost a routine for me.
Most everyday anywhere from 10 minutes to 4-5 hours.
I shoot every day and try to get a solid half hour in. I usually end up shoting more than once a day with my brothers if they want to shoot.
What Joekeith said. As long as my shoulder lets me also. I have had much of the cartiledge taken out of my shoulder socket when I had rotater cuff surgery. I get sore pretty quick. I try to practice every day and with my new tip, I have backed up to 30-35 yards. I would not do that with my Howatt Mamba. I am amazed how accurate I am with this new bow and some arrows by Paul Jalon @ Elite arrows! The heat and the skeeters have an effect on how long I stay out also.
Weather allowing I try to shoot everyday,sometimes one session other times more. Depends on how I'm doing. I have fought target panic now for about 3-4 years. I have found that if I take just one arrow, shoot it and go get it, then repeat,that it has helped my problem.I focus on each shot as if it was the only one I was going to take. This slows down the practice session which I think is a good thing. You have to remember that you still want to have fun.
I've been slackin lately, its busy time in the shop and that makes it tuff. I just have to make a point to get back at it.
I try to fling a few every day but probably average 5-7 days per week. I'm just learning so it's basically all short range (15 yards) stuff. I just enjoy shooting, so it's not really very serious stuff - for all I know, I'm just practicing bad habits. I may or may not actually hunt again someday, but if I decide to, I'll no doubt get more serious about my practicing. For now, it's just another reason for me and my boys to head to the back yard and spend some more time away from video games.
S.
About 30 minutes at least three times a week. I am able to get out to 25 yards but I stay around the 15-20 yard range.
QuoteOriginally posted by BobW:
not enough, but according to my wife, too much.
Amen!!
Every day, 4 arrow sets(1 at 10, 1 at 15,1 at 20 and 1 at 25/30.). I shoot around 100 arrows per day.10-40 yards in practice, hunting not over 25 yards.
Danny
Most every evening, not all but guaranteed 5 times a week - with broadheads only - maybe 25/30 shots. Really gauge myself on the first one though that usually is shot from 25 yards, I feel that is the animal killer, and may be shot from kneeling, standing, squatting. After that I mix it up.
J
Usually two to three times a week for 30 minutes or so...been dealing with some injuries lately, so I'm working around that...Usually shoot 2-4 arrow sets from varied yardages 10-40 (mostly 10-30).
David
I shoot at least 4 times a week, 50-60 shots per session. I usually shoot anywhere between 10 and 20 yards.
I shoot when I can find a space to.
I shoot at tennis balls with hex heads,mostly. The distance can vary from the shot before,wildly! I sometimes start at 10, then 30, then 5 yards. It's pretty cool to hear the 'whop' and watch it roll. I can vary the game by trying to send the ball left or right; kinda like english on a cue ball.
I have a roll of pipe insulation that I shoot fp/bh's at; because it stops and holds them.
Daily, one arrow, around 10-20 shots, time depending.
coaster,
good to see a SLO boy on the MB. I shoot 3 times a week from 5-50 yards no more then about 30 arrows at a session 3 arrows then walk to the target, move to the next one. random distance each time to help my judgement.I also shoot at 8 -10 yds 1 quality shot everyday sometime trying to put it inside a quartersize dot somedays I am good others not so good.if you ever want to get together and shoot I have a short 3d course set up at my house in SLO
With the lighter bows I was shooting about every day 100 arrows or a little more. I shoot 4 fletched with one bare per round. I am shooting a heavier bow now so I try to limit it to 5 days a week and 50 arrows unless I split it up. I will do that until I get used to the weight. I shoot 10-25 yards with most between 15 and 20. I shoot most of my deer at those ranges. I do get out to 30-35 a couple days a week for fun and to challenge myself. I hunt deer at close range so for all practical purposes I don't see shooting any farther than 25 yd. most days, but I do like to be proficient at 5-10 yd. farther then I plan to take a shot on a live target. With the compound I shot very well to 60 yd., but have never shot a deer much over 35. I have space to shoot to 75yd without getting in or across the road, but with some changes I could shoot farther. I just don't see the need. Because I shoot deer up close I got back into trad. Right now with my new bow I would say I am proficient at 20 yd. I can shoot accurate at longer ranges, but typically not until I warm up with the heavier bow.
Ditto.. not enough! But I try 3 to 4 times a week for 60 to 90 minutes per session.
I try to shoot every day, 2 or 3 times total about 50 to 100 arrows, but it doesnt happen every day sometimes life gets in the way.
I can shoot up 25 yards in my back yard. I attend 7 to 10 3D shoots a year all up and down the state of California, i live right in the middle of the state so its is easy for me to go north or south, 3 to 4 of these will be two day shoots.
Of the 7 to 10, 1 to 2 will be wheelie bow shoots, its so much fun to watch my arrows fly at their shooting distance, after about 1/4 way through the course i start to get dialed in and do very well. Shooting at longer distance will sure make you concentrate on your form.
this year has been kind of hecktic and have not been able to stick to the 3D routine but i do have a 2 day shoot comming up this weekend in Pacifica, Im geared up tuned up and ready to win.
I dont have a yardage number that i hold my self to. I will take any shot that i am 100% sure in my heart will put an arrow through the vitals of the animal im hunting. If that 100% is not there i wont take the shot.
Apparently too much I've tweaked my bow arm 8 days before my Caribou trip!
Rick, I hope your arm gets better in time for your trip!
At my busiest, most stressful times of the school term, I might be down to once or twice a week; but mostly, I try to practice four or five times a week, and about thirty to forty arrows per session, shooting just one arrow then walking over to retrieve it.
I try to shoot everyday and am sucessfull more days than not. I shoot 4 arrows at a time and usually shoot 20 to 24 arrows in a trip. Some days I do this twice a day this keeps me from getting tired and starting bad habits.
I guess I am in the minority. I only shoot about once every 2-3 weeks. I practice out to 40yds. I usually shoot the trad 3-D's and shoot a lot of arrows there.
Interesting,
First I must say I have way to much time today (my wife is sleeping in) :)
Results so far....
It would seem that as a group we shoot 5.34 days a week, 46 + arrows session, removing the experts that can hunt 40 yards or better, our average hunting distance is 23.42 yards.
Some shoot only broadheads
Some mix the two
Some only shoot one arrow at a time (target panic)
Some shoot 3 to 4 then pull
The majority vary the distance
Some have a treestand to practice from
Some have 3D set ups
Some shoot when our wife or shoulders allow...
This is a pretty dedicated bunch
Thanks guys