.....Bowhunters make when hunting season starts is not practicing enough to stay sharp. The mind set is focused on the hunt and practice sessions become non-existant.
Shooting all summer honed your skills, don't stop now. I warm up every morning with 5 arrows, maybe 8-10 shots during midday break AND always carry a few judos for some stumpshooting on the way out.
Be smart, stay on top of your shooting all season long and your odds will increase when that shot opportunity presents itself.
Great post Joe....at times during the season we don't seem to find time to shoot....for getting ready to hunt, hunting, and cleaning up after the hunt....I made a post once about this very thing....arrows going south during the season was the title I think...something along those lines.
Try to remember to take a few shots weekly during the season....don't want any rust to build up.
Here, here!
Excellent advice Joe. I too always shoot a few arrows before I go to the stand and usually shoot some during the midday hours.
Bisch
i am trying....work is killing me right now!!!
Joe, Thanks for the reminder. I do stretch every morning and I carry judo's. Shoot, whenever I get a chance. Good advice.
I couldn't agree more. :archer2:
I have a mini 3D course at camp and a block target to stay sharp. Sometimes it seems like I get more shooting in during the season than before...
Very important observation Joe and a great tip for everyone. I try to shoot a couple of shots every day even if it's at a leaf in the truck head lights on the way in.
:archer2:
Great info. Another thing I try to do is go outside randomly during the day and shoot 1 arrow and 1 arrow only to try to stay sharp for the 1 shot after sitting cold for hours.
I shoot everyday and carry a judo or blunt for a shot or 2 while on the hunt,usually at a lunch break or when I move to a different spot.Gotta stay sharp.......!
Right on Joe. Shot some broadheads off the porch this afternoon. Will be hunting tomorrow evening. I always try to take a few shots before leaving for my hunts.
I concur completly Joe. Dead on.
Great hunting point. Especially when you are scrambling between work, family stuff, packing gear, washing clothes, traveling for hunting - pretty soon your sitting there thinking when did I last practice? Not the best kind of thoughts to have on the stand. :help:
I shoot as much as possible just to reinforce form to both my brain and body. I take it very serious. However I talked to someone today who said he just got his bow out and shot it a few times and hit the bullseye so hes "ready" I dont agree with it but that satisfies some folks.
Great post Joe! BTW, I'll be taking that Kempf Trophy Hunter, I bought from you, to the stand Saturday! Wow what a shooter.
I might add, that I feel it is very important to practice like you are actually going to shoot an animal. For example, not rapid firing arrows, but rather, slowly raising your bow as if a deer or game animal is right there and slowly drawing back to take the shot and possibly letting down a few times as if the animal turned and ruined a shot opportunity. This was critical for me. I practiced but the actual hunting situation was not like I practiced. I tell my players all the time to practice just like you play.....I also tell myself that too. Hope that helps someone! Wishing you guys a great season.
Joe hit the nail on the head.You waited all year for these few special weeks don't stop now.
Good advise!
My hunting land is behind my home and behind my business (two locations) in which I have an archery range at each locaton. I always take 3 to 5 practice shots before heading out for the hunt.
Great advice Joe. I see you changed your email address, no wonder you didn't answer.
Billy
Ahmen!!
Good one, Joe.
I consider myself pretty lucky to hunt out my back door on our 250 acres. Each time before going out the basement, I fire 6-8 arrows in the basement range(12yds). Good calm down session before the "walk in the dark".
Exactly right, Joe. Its always nice to have a stumping arrow with you to let off a few shots during that mid day lull.
Hey Joe! What's A Judo? :rolleyes:
... mike ... ;) ...
I was just thinking this myself. I have only shot the bale twice since the season opened here in PA two weeks ago. Before that I was shooting twice a day all summer long.
Good advice, thank you.
Agree. Wake up and go into basement to shoot one broadhead when fuzzy eyed to make yourself focus. Can you throw that touchdown pass on the first throw without the pregame warmup?
i like to shoot to much just to stop because of deer season..
I made that mistake once and won't make it again. Now i take a couple of shots from my treestand before I leave for lunch and than a few more at my vehicle.
I bring my KME to sharpen them up again or some extra screw in heads. I don't have judos at the 200gr head weight but plan to make a few up this year.
I also plan on hitting my archery club midweek since we have outdoor lights at our practice range.
Good Reminder Joe! Keep the " eye of the tiger" all year round! :thumbsup:
Good Reminder Joe! Keep the " eye of the tiger" all year round!
when I get home I shoot 2-3 with a real focus on the first arrow to say I would have made the shot. If its dark I put the spot light on outside the garage & the garage light & take a few close ones. Mike
Great post Joe! I agree completely. I shoot every day I can whether a season is open or not. It helps having a bag target at my camp that I can practice on in the middle of the day.
Yup, shot over the back of my first one this year cause I hadn't been giving my longbow enough love. Now she even goes when I switch camera cards. Almost paid off last Friday on a little piebald. Bow sits shotgun until the season ends.
I agree, but my problem is always getting enough time to hunt; I can usually find time to shoot several times weekly, but it's hard with work/house/spouse/offspring to spend real time in the woods. Somehow, work always heats up for me in the Fall.
great post.. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
:thumbsup: :archer:
Absolutely! I've worked harder this year than ever before at improving my shooting and becoming competent.
Don't intend to lose it once season starts.
Ken
My son and I usually do a little stump shooting after the morning hunt as we are walking back to the car. I also try to take a shot about half way through the hunt just to stay loose. Great reminder though. :thumbsup:
Thanks for a great reminder!
QuoteOriginally posted by ron w:
I shoot everyday and carry a judo or blunt for a shot or 2 while on the hunt,usually at a lunch break or when I move to a different spot.Gotta stay sharp.......!
That's pretty much what I do too. I never leave the stand in the morning without taking a couple shots. Depending on deer activity, I may not get a shot in before dark though. I never seem to be able to resist taking a shot at a squirrel or two from the stand either. I missed one once and had a small buck come in about 5-10 minutes later. He fed under my tree and right up to the arrow. He sniffed it, hopped back a step, looked it over and went back to feeding on nettle tops. Had he been a shooter, the story would have ended differently!
Great Post Joe,The last 2 weeks spend Moose and Elk hunting with my son we had shooting contests everyday after lunch.
I am not ready! have not shot at all this week. :banghead:
To answer Mike Ciccone's question "What's a JUDO?"
It's a place where Hasidics go and learn karate.
:scared: :laughing:
I hate to correct you Joe, but I think you mean a "Mojo".
:D
I'm taking something for my Hasidic reflux.
Thanks Joe...great advice as always! I try to shoot a few arrows before every hunt. A a result I think I'm psychologically better prepared.
Great advice! I never leave home or camp without a few warm up shots, as well as having a few blunts to shoot from time to time while on stand.
For me its a matter of warming up the shooting muscles more than the hand eye coordination.