I am in this pattern that my first shot out of the bow for a session is almost always dead center on the spot. Thats good because within 20 yards its a dead elk (as long as he is broadside, not moving, looking the other way, up wind, and in the open).
Anyone else have this pattern? I think it means I need to become more consistent. But I like to take encouragement where I find it...
Joshua
Honestly,I need to have a better first shot. You are fortunate jhg. I want my first shot good,but it rarely is as good as I wanted. As season draws
closer,I plan on making one cold shot,go get arrow,and go to work. I should probably start now. :coffee:
99% of the time my 1st shot is the best.
My first shot tends to be one of my best shots also. I like to start a session as if I were hunting, and it was the first (and maybe the only) shot I may get.
i wish it was. I have lost count of how often I have blown up on a give away freeby shot at game, just to grit my teeth, jerk out another arrow, step into the shot and make a killing shot. Life would be simpler if that first one was always solid.
You can put me in the same category as Pavan.
I always want it to be my best but sometimes I just goof up.
God bless,Mudd
Your first shot has to be your best or it can turn into a nightmare really quickly.
Burn the spot!!!!
QuoteOriginally posted by dragonheart:
Burn the spot!!!!
Yelp! Concentration is 99% of the game pick a small spot and give all your concentration.
And do it every shot like it was your first.
~HF~
I work ,before the season on the first shot,it is the only one that counts.
First is usually best for me
My first shot is the most important shot because I simulate a shot at live game. I don't want to wound an animal so my first shot is the one I concentrate on the most.
I need to work on my first shot as well. That is why I ALWAYS shoot a "test" arrow from my stand. Sometimes I will even take 1 or 2 shots on my way into my stand.
I need to do better, I envy you!
A little amendment. When I shot my bear, that was one of the only times I didn't shoot a test arrow. The difference was I knew my shot would be 10 yards or less on the bear.
It better be. In most cases it is the only one you'll get.
When hunting season nears I will take one shot a day, either in the morning or in the evening. In my experience that is when it counts most.
By hunting season my shooting muscles and my shooting skills are at their peak so more than one shot a day is not necessary.
Main reason I only shoot one shot groups.
My first shot is my best shot, i could not tell you why, i think that on that first shot im not thinking just letting it happen. The more i shoot the more i start to think about it and that screws me up.
I've been taking one shot at a time for a while now hen practicing, and that's helped out a lot. But most of the time, my first shot of the day isn't as good as later shots. Practicing more often has helped, but I wouldn't say it was my best shot.
As long as Im shooting the same bow and arrow combo I'm an excellent first shot shooter. Not much of a grouper though.
I have to reset my trajectory with a new bow or different set of arrows. Usually takes one or two shots.
I work hard on a relaxed first shot. Any thing after that is target practice when it pertains to hunting.
I always shoot a few arrows into the target from point blank range or the ground in the dark to loosen up those fingers and muscles. No reason not to.
It was today! :readit: Today kicks off the last month I have before elk opens. So I am shooting an arrow in the morning and then shooting a longer practice session after work. It feels like fall is already on its way here in Montana. :bigsmyl:
I have found that my second set of arrows is usually the best. I have for years hung my bow in the back yard and taking one shot every time I pass my bow as the first shot always is the most important when hunting.
I use two similar bows (BW longbows), one is a light poundage and the other is hunting weight. Both shoot the same grain per pound arrow. I can shoot flight after flight with the light bow and I work on strengh and shoot much less with the hunting weight bow. I try to treat each bow alike when shooting. As long as I stick with this routine, my cold shots with the hunting weight bow are usually quite good. I am now totally happy with my archery setup and confident about my hunting shot.
When near and in the hunting season, I shoot only at targets of the game I am after, 3D if possible.
At home - yes!
At the indoor range - yes!
Most 3D's - Yes! *One club - No! - Their 1st target is always the hardest for me, since it is set-up down a steep downhill thru underbrush and quite dim. The issue is in my mind and I am making some progress with regards to this shot.
Small critters such as groundhogs, coons and rabbits - Yes!
Turkeys - I wish!!! I suppose this is one of the motivators that inspire me to persevere. They are almost a nemesis, even though I regard them as my favorite quarry. My turkey obsession has rooted a firm anchor w/i my mind and they seem to routinely render me out of my element of good shot execution when the moment of truth presents itself. No other critter so far, not even a book buck rattles me to such a high degree. Each year I develop a system to mentally maintain focus and on that 1st shot and even go thru it numerous times in the blind on each hunt, yet still don't own it at the moment of truth. Perhaps I don't need to absolutely own it for the exhilarating drive may dissipate
I'm always surprised with how often my first shot of the day is almost perfect. And then disappointed when the all the rest seem to fall short. I haven't taken the approach that some here mention about concentrating and pretending it's my "one" shot on game. I think it's just because I'm relaxed, refreshed, and haven't thought much about it. Served me well last fall. I didn't have time to think about the shot, but it was through both lungs.
Usually it is my best. Not always.
I try and take 2 shots every morning before I go to work, I figure that the 1st one is really the only one that counts when hunting. the 2nd one is just for good measure.
Mine tends to be the best. The first three definitely. At about four dozen the groups loosen up. At 100 I'm all over the place with wobbles and gitches and doubts.
I just went out to confirm that.
First arrow at 30 yards (at my back door to target) dead center. Second a foot to the right and 3" low. Third, forth, fifth and sixth off about 3 or 4 inches.
If the first shot is not the best shot, the 2nd one will be!
I set my practice to re firm muscles that may have slacked during the summer due to my time with my collegiate shotgun team. I have been shooting at least 50 plus arrows per day since the first of July. (The heat has been a B%#@h) Now I am starting to back down and shoot one in the morning before I leave for school. Then I will shoot about 20+ in the afternoon when I get home. It is 95+% of the time "dead nut." I am switching between two LB's and both seem to be just fine.
First shot is the shot... I will admit that hunting my own ground has an advantage and the fact that I can shoot an arrow or two inside before I go out helps also. I try and keep my shots to 20 yds and under.
This has been interesting hearing everyone weigh in on this.
When I practice for elk my mantra is this when I nock an arrow.
"One arrow. One elk"
So even if I shoot a handful of arrows, each one is "one arrow" in my mind.
I DO NOT let grouping influence my shot. All that arrow has to do is hit where I am looking. Nothing more. Nothing less.
Joshua