New to me shooting discipline as I fine tune for the upcoming hunting seasons. Shooting at my 3-d deer and boar targets is fun and good practice, but recently started throwing out miscellaneous "targets of opportunity" - old stuffed animals, 1/2 filled water bottles, small rubber balls, etc. - out randomly in my yard at ranges from 10 yards to near 30, and shooting at them at various distances and positions at random.
Nothing like hitting a 2" rubber ball at 20 odd steps or picking a small spot on a stuffed animal and hitting where (or so close that it would be a kill shot on a deer or hog size critter) you are focusing!
Adds a whole new dimension to practice!
It's the best kind of practice! Really gives your brain a workout and I think better simulates a hunting shot. Give me one arrow, one tennis ball and I will shoot all day!
Sounds fun, don't know if the kids would like me kidnapping thief stuffed animals but I like to take one arrow with a judo and walk around in the field and shoot at dandy lions and various plants
Yes Sir!! "Pick A Spot!"
A variation of tgst us to stand at the target and throw the arrows in all directions. Where it lands is where I shoot from.
When stumping We always try to pick a knot or a hole in the stump or log. Sometime a mushroom or moss that stands out. Makes for real interesting shooting session.
:thumbsup:
I vary my in-yard training a bit differently. After I fill my deer target with a few arrows, I pull them and, while walking back to where I shot, jam one in the ground every few yards. The next round starts with the farthest arrow and I walk in on the target shooting arrows from wherever they are stuck in the ground.
Kingsnake
Kingsnake,
I do something very similar....starting at my target, I walk away from it and lob arrows in multiple directions and at multiple disciplines....walk to each arrow and shoot...
That, and shooting multiple rounds at 30-35 yards have improved my shooting dramatically.
Its amazing how easy it is to hit at 22 after you just barely missed at 35 for a couple of rounds...LOL
Ken
The variety in and of itself will aid in maintaining focus.
Relevant, practical and progress enhancing exercise...
I do some variation of this by shooting at random things the kids left in the yard - if I shoot well it is there loss and they shouldn't have left it out. :D
For small targets, I also occasionally shoot my deer target in the eye, ear or some other part of the anatomy.
The best training there is! I use balloons at different sizes and different colers. I stick them on my pack with a sharp piece of wood. I shoot them at difference distances and different angles. The further away, the bigger I blow them up.
The sound of a popping balloon adds an extra dimension to it!
Not expensive and a whole lot of fun!
When we are with more people, the one who shoots the balloon decides the new distance, giving even more fun!
Cool ideas! LimBender, how many times does it take before the kiddies get the "point" ;) about leaving their stuff out??
:biglaugh:
I like to keep it positive. "Aim small hit small".
I don't have any tips to keep my arrows from sliding under grass or bounceing off so I don't shoot into the ground much.
But I do like to sit out my target and "spear throw" my arrows up in the air all around the yard. High enough that they generally stick up where they land.
Different angles, different yardages.
Then just walk around, pick up an arrow and shoot the target.
kinda fun...
bowwild knows the secret. has anyone noticed that a bullseye on a paper target is easier to hit after there's a hole in it. aim at the hole.