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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: wasapt on July 22, 2012, 11:35:00 PM

Title: practice with 1 arrow then retrieving it
Post by: wasapt on July 22, 2012, 11:35:00 PM
I have been getting so sore in my finger joints, I started just shooting 1 arrow, going to get it, then shooting it again, over and over... till I have shot about 30 shots. I used to shoot 6 arrows, then go get them, shoot again and end up shooting about 75-80 arrows..This seems to help my joint pain and my concentration.
Title: Re: practice with 1 arrow then retrieving it
Post by: JamesKerr on July 22, 2012, 11:52:00 PM
I can concentrate better on what I am doing if I just practice with one arrow at a time. If I try shooting groups then I tend to rush the consecutive shots.
Title: Re: practice with 1 arrow then retrieving it
Post by: Bjorn on July 23, 2012, 12:00:00 AM
I have been shooting single arrows for years-much better practice. As it gets closer to a hunt I shoot one or two arrows several hours apart.
Title: Re: practice with 1 arrow then retrieving it
Post by: Kamm1004 on July 23, 2012, 12:16:00 AM
same here, I might shoot groups every now and then for fun but when its practice time i shoot one and try to make it count because in hunting situations you only get one shot so you gotta make it count. If your first shot is always the best,what else matters?
Title: Re: practice with 1 arrow then retrieving it
Post by: Hawkeye on July 23, 2012, 12:24:00 AM
One judo-tipped arrow comprises 98% of all my practice.  Lately, it has been 10-25 shots per day at wiffle balls, leaves, and dandelions in my yard, from from 15-35 yards with the occasional 50 yarder slipped in for variety.  It is really satisfying to end a session by center punching a ball from 20 or 25 yards...

Does me a lot more good for hunting purposes than shooting groups at fixed ranges.
Title: Re: practice with 1 arrow then retrieving it
Post by: sawtoothscream on July 23, 2012, 03:28:00 AM
I like shooting groups myself.  just like seeing how tight I can get them and like seeing progress being made
Title: Re: practice with 1 arrow then retrieving it
Post by: Soonerlongbow on July 23, 2012, 05:04:00 AM
Due to only currently having 2 serviceable arrows, when my wife and I went out the other day we shared arrows. It seemed to help my groups and hers. Prior to her coming out to play later than I did I was shooting both and groups were not as good. I think it was because I focused more per shot knowing it was my only shot. This is similar to gun hunters that shoot single shot rifles or muzzle loaders.
Title: Re: practice with 1 arrow then retrieving it
Post by: Tom Anderson on July 23, 2012, 07:19:00 AM
I tried doing the 1-arrow thing once, but all it did was cause more pain in my knee with the torn meniscus.  I like to shoot about a half-dozen and then go get 'em.
Title: Re: practice with 1 arrow then retrieving it
Post by: buckeye_hunter on July 23, 2012, 08:36:00 AM
I shoot one at a time as well. Keeps me from shooting too many arrows and having joint pain in my bow arm elbow and pulling shoulder. I also tend to shoot better when doing one at a time. Added bonus is you don't shoot and ruin your own arrows!
Title: Re: practice with 1 arrow then retrieving it
Post by: Bowwild on July 23, 2012, 08:38:00 AM
I shoot groups most of the time during the off-season. As a serious hunting season gets closer I continue to shoot groups but I really count the first arrow as the most important, for reasons stated above.

I always warm-up the shooting muscles by 1/4, 1/2, and 3/4 drawing the bow 5-6 times before I shoot. I also do this in my treestands before it gets light on AM shots.

Once hunting season begins I reduce my shooting of groups and typically shoot one arrow from the tree stand at the conclusion of an AM hunt and one arrow at the start of a PM hunt. I try to make sure that PM shot is taken where I DON'T expect a deer to walk so I don't have a human scent bomb in a position to maybe spook a deer.

I've experienced a little soreness in the bowarm elbow (amazing what ice will do for that!). I also had sore drawing hand finger joints when I shot with a glove. I switched to a tab (Cavalier Elite-3Rivers) two years ago and that joint soreness disappeared.
Title: Re: practice with 1 arrow then retrieving it
Post by: Lost Arra on July 23, 2012, 09:02:00 AM
Shooting groups always seemed counter-productive to me.
The better you shoot, the more you break your arrows/nocks.
Title: Re: practice with 1 arrow then retrieving it
Post by: UrbanDeerSlayer on July 23, 2012, 09:25:00 AM
Been taking single shots lately. Its the first one that counts. As the season draws near I'll be taking single cold shots from the tree stand.
Title: Re: practice with 1 arrow then retrieving it
Post by: woodbender on July 23, 2012, 09:33:00 AM
thats the only way i practice,been doing it for years, like some stated i focus more on that one arrow. if i shoot a bunch at a time groups open up. plus you get alot more exercise
Title: Re: practice with 1 arrow then retrieving it
Post by: YORNOC on July 23, 2012, 09:33:00 AM
Like Buckeye and Lost Arra said, no more ripped feathers or busted nocks.
Title: Re: practice with 1 arrow then retrieving it
Post by: Roger Norris on July 23, 2012, 09:37:00 AM
Especially with broadheads, I'm a big believer in the "one arrow at a time" concept. Sometimes I find myself walking them in if I shoot more than that. I NEVER shoot more than 3.
Title: Re: practice with 1 arrow then retrieving it
Post by: hardtimes on July 23, 2012, 09:41:00 AM
I have been shooting single arrow for the last couple of years. Sometimes I will shoot two arrows but no more than two.
Title: Re: practice with 1 arrow then retrieving it
Post by: Hoyt on July 23, 2012, 10:01:00 AM
I always shoot the first arrow as if I was in a hunting situation, then I start to practice. Being old and decrepit I have to shoot a lot to keep my strength up.

I've noticed during the season when I'm hunting almost every day and don't shoot, when I do I'm not as strong or sharp..so I shoot a lot.
Title: Re: practice with 1 arrow then retrieving it
Post by: Jason R. Wesbrock on July 23, 2012, 10:19:00 AM
I suppose everyone has to find what practice routine works best for him/her. Occasionally I shoot one arrow and then pull it, but only at the end of a long practice session when I'm trying to avoid sloppy shooting due to fatigue. In the winter time, I split my practice between close bale work in my basement (12 yards and under) and longer indoor shooting at the club (10-40 yards). When the weather's nice I'll usually go to the club, start off with a 14 field to work on form, and then move on to 3Ds to work on distance estimation and forcing myself to pick a spot where there isn't one.
Title: Re: practice with 1 arrow then retrieving it
Post by: awbowman on July 23, 2012, 10:28:00 AM
Been doing for a while now.  I hate breaking arrows!    :bigsmyl:
Title: Re: practice with 1 arrow then retrieving it
Post by: reddogge on July 23, 2012, 05:03:00 PM
I, like Hawkeye, like to vary the practice with one judo tipped arrow and walk to it. Ranges from 10-80 or more yards. Great exercise.
Title: Re: practice with 1 arrow then retrieving it
Post by: Bud B. on July 23, 2012, 06:44:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by Soonerlongbow:
Due to only currently having 2 serviceable arrows, when my wife and I went out the other day we shared arrows. It seemed to help my groups and hers. Prior to her coming out to play later than I did I was shooting both and groups were not as good. I think it was because I focused more per shot knowing it was my only shot. This is similar to gun hunters that shoot single shot rifles or muzzle loaders.
:eek:  

I would be in a panic!!
Title: Re: practice with 1 arrow then retrieving it
Post by: Arwin on July 23, 2012, 06:47:00 PM
quote:
Originally posted by awbowman:
Been doing for a while now.  I hate breaking arrows!     :knothead:
Title: Re: practice with 1 arrow then retrieving it
Post by: Gordon Jabben on July 23, 2012, 07:44:00 PM
I guess I'm the exception.  I have always thought there was some value in being able to shoot a second arrow quickly, especially while small game hunting so I practice shooting a few arrows quickly.
Title: Re: practice with 1 arrow then retrieving it
Post by: Sam McMichael on July 24, 2012, 10:03:00 AM
A while back there was a thread very similar to this one, which led me to give the 1 arrow shot a try. I think it helped. I seem to concentrate more intensely on my shot, as there is no mental  interference thinking I might hit and break arrows. That is the kind of shot discipline I need.

However, I do see some validity in Gordon Jabben's comment about quick follow up shots.
Title: Re: practice with 1 arrow then retrieving it
Post by: pamike on July 24, 2012, 11:02:00 PM
some wise individual on this site has convinced me that one arrow practice IS the way to go.  i have been following his recommended "process" for a couple weeks and i can say that it has helped me.

i would recommend it - very hard for me since i was used to shooting at least 6 if not 12 arrows each time.
Title: Re: practice with 1 arrow then retrieving it
Post by: pamike on July 24, 2012, 11:03:00 PM
some wise individual on this site has convinced me that one arrow practice IS the way to go.  i have been following his recommended "process" for a couple weeks and i can say that it has helped me.

i would recommend it - very hard for me since i was used to shooting at least 6 if not 12 arrows each time.
Title: Re: practice with 1 arrow then retrieving it
Post by: GRINCH on July 25, 2012, 02:53:00 AM
I started shooting one arrow and was amazed at the difference,my accuracy improved alot.
Title: Re: practice with 1 arrow then retrieving it
Post by: sledge on July 25, 2012, 05:36:00 AM
sometimes 1, sometimes 2 for me.

especially stumping, since i often stretch my range.

if the 1st is good, no 2nd.  but if it's not i have a shot at redemption.

joe
Title: Re: practice with 1 arrow then retrieving it
Post by: Terry Lightle on July 25, 2012, 06:42:00 AM
I do the same,4 to 6 arrows a day
Title: Re: practice with 1 arrow then retrieving it
Post by: bigbadjon on July 25, 2012, 10:19:00 AM
I usually shoot single arrows at targets but I do also shoot groups to gauge consistency in shooting and arrows. Single arrows shooters would also do well to make sure you are shooting all of your arrows to make sure they all fly the same.
Title: Re: practice with 1 arrow then retrieving it
Post by: Blue Tick on July 25, 2012, 10:31:00 AM
I am going to work more on the 1 arrow practice myself. I have noticed when I am out shooting that my 1st shot is almost always where I want it, followed by my 2nd (usually). But the subsequent 4 or so tend to expand my "group" and aren't near where I want them to be or their supposed to be.