I'm not sure if this would have been okay in the Shooters Forum so I'm posting it here. I am practicing for an upcoming antelope hunt. I was encouraged to practice past my comfort zone (20 yds.) by one of the other guys going. He said that if you practice longer shots the closer ones get easier.
So, I have been to a local range and shot at the 30 yd. target bale. Holy crap I suck!
It really messed with my head. I started thinking that maybe I should stay home.
I'm wondering if you shoot past 20-25 yds. what do you do/have you done to improve your accuracy?
Thanks!
-Jeremy :coffee:
P.S. I am shooting a 53# recurve at my draw length of 28"'s. I am shooting either Beeman 400's with 200g up front or my wood arrows 55-60, 29"'s with 160g up front for what it's worth.
If it's possible:
Find a short-grass field you can shoot in. Put out a couple bright-colored tennis balls 50 yards apart. Shoot at them, but don't think about accuracy. Think only about full draw, solid anchor and clean release. Again...forget accuracy completely. Make it fun. See if the results surprise you, because I think they will.
Go stumping and shoot at small targets at some farther ranges, and then pace off the yardage. You should be a bit more comfortable at longer range if you do that.
BTW, if you will be hunting antelope off water holes, your shots should be pretty close if the setup is right. If you are spotting and stalking, be ready for lots of blown stalks, a good bit of frustration, but a lot of fun.
Hi. First post here, although I have lurked for a while.
To the OP, are you using some kind of sighting system, gap shooting, or instinctive? Do you shoot at regularly spaced yardage points (10, 15, 20 yards) or do you vary your distances?
Try a combination of gap shooting and instinct past 20 yards and learn to judge distances accurately.
Practice farther than you think you will shoot.
The 30 yard shots will get easier.
A WELL tuned arrow is a must also
Practice more at the longer ranges start increasing it a little at a time when you get good there move back a little more until you get there. Good luck Widow
I was exactly the same until I decided to change it. The main key is to shoot, ALOT. I shoot every single day, sometimes 2 arras, sometimes 200 arras. It has dramatically helped me.
Specifically on longer distance-I have to gap shoot past 30. (inside 30 I shoot instinctive) 30 is my point on, and using the end of the arra as an aiming devise, I have gotten quite deadly plum out to 40,45 yards.
Just practice, and really focus on your form, your anchor points, and your release. Even the slightest error at 40 can throw you feet off target.
The main key is just to shoot, shoot, shoot, then after you do all that, shoot some more. :readit:
:campfire:
Two things affect distance for me, ability to concentrate and form. The further the shot the more difficult it can be to pick and concentrate on a spot to hit. Form issues magnify and really show up at a distance. Consider getting some coaching from a qualified coach/instructor.
I agree that practicing at longer distances makes the shorter shots easier. Also agree that shooting at unknown distances ( a lot) is a good way to improve, whether stump shooting or shooting at tennis balls.
Regardless, I wouldn't cancel the hunt just because I couldn't shoot accurately beyond 20 yards. Just limit your shots to those you can make. It's a myth that one has to shoot longer when hunting out west. One can usually see critters at a longer distance, but that doesn't mean you have to shoot at them. That's when hunting/stalking comes into play. Good luck.
Find whatever shooting sequence or game that you enjoy, and then just shoot A LOT. I have been working on longer shots recently, and have seen some notable improvement, even though I still have a long way to go. It is true that long range practice does tend to really make the normal range shots easier. The bottom line, though is PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE. Fortunately, though, long range shooting is fun. Good luck.
I found that I can shoot pretty consistently up close, even if my form is weak. I suppose that's because the short distance tends not to magnify those form errors. But when I get to 30 yards and beyond, inconsistencies in form (especially in draw length for me) greatly affect my accuracy.
I've started carrying a longer shaft with me, with a zip-tie placed strategically at the tip end, that bumps my finger when I hit full draw. I draw that arrow from time to time while I'm shooting (but never shoot it), to remind myself how full-draw is supposed to feel.
I spend most of my time practicing between 20-50 yards, working to keep my form good, and find that the accuracy developed at those ranges really improves my short-range shots. I would opine that the more you work your brain at those longer distances, the better it will become at calculating how to make the arc of the arrow intersect at the target.
I have taken to throwing a tennis ball out in the yard and shooting it all over the place. Within 10 yards, I probably hit it 70% of the time last night, even though I don't practice short-distance shooting much. Out between 20-40 yards, I was very close on most shots, but only hit it a handful of times.
I don't really gap shoot, although I am not purely instinctive either. I think that I probably employ Howard Hill's "split-vision" method more than anything. After not shooting regularly for a while, my accuracy really falls apart, but when I get back into shooting regularly, I do OK. I spend time every day exercising my muscles, as well, drawing multiple times to full draw, and then letting down, and then drawing my bow with the other hand the same number of times, for muscle balance. I find that the more I can manhandle the bow at my draw length, the more control I have over my shots. I have been shooting my 68# limbs for the past few weeks, and as my muscle strength has increased, so has my accuracy.
Thank you for all the advice everyone. So I live in a townhouse (yeah me). So not only do I have limitations on range, but no yard to shoot in either. I have a baseball diamond across the street. But alas, someone in the neighborhood felt it necessary to call Officer Friendly a few years ago and I found out that my town has a "No projectile" ordinance.
So, I have an outdoor range about a 1/2 hour away. It has bales at 10, 20, 30 and 40 yards away. So yes, the yardage is marked and known.
Bottom line sounds like practice, practice, practice. And keep it fun. That's another issue for me. I feel as though if my arrows aren't touching than I'm failing.
Enough typing, off to the range...
-Jeremy :coffee:
I shoot the animal rounds at the archery range. Helps me learn what the distance looks like when I raise my bow. The hardest part can be raising that bow arm. You should be able to keep your eyes on the target at 35-40 yards without the arrow or your bow hand getting in the sight picture.
Great thread... lots of great advice. I used to avoid the long shots for fear of missing. Now I enjoy them more than the "slam dunks".
Practicing at longer distances reveal a whole lot about your form (both good and bad). It is a great feeling to see your group shrink at 35+ yards.
Lots of good advice here.
I'll add one thing I learned from Fred Asbell. Don't focus on yardage when you practice. Shoot, a lot, but do it from various distances.
Stumping is good practice but anywhere you can shoot where you don't know the absolute distances. If you do it enough, you start to gain confidence within 'your zone' of distances. Whether that's 20, 30 or 40 yards - depends on you and how you feel.
In short, don't focus on numbers - they'll drive you crazy.
AJ
Shoot, shoot, shoot, different distance from different spots. it takes a lot of practice
Gotta practice at those ranges....also if you get the chance launch broadheads mixed in. That distance really shows tuning issues. The BHs should group with your fields/blunts.
Some good advice above, it just takes practice and maybe refining your form a little, draw a little slower, pause at full draw a couple of seconds and make sure you follow through and hold your form until your arrow hits. Drawing the string back slowly has really helped me to stop snap shooting which gives me more time to judge and execute the shot.
Jeremy - sent you a PM.
Well, just got back from the range. Did better today. I told myself to have fun and not get so caught up on the grouping. Really did make a difference. Still not where I want to be but better than yesterday for sure. Thanks for all the advice and tips. I have taken them to heart and will continue to practice, practice, practice.
-Jeremy :coffee:
Mental sequence check list!
From beginning of your draw all the way to the arrows impact,
I'll do a mental check off list in my head. It starts at finger placement on the string then to concentrate on the target, to my anchor position of my draw hand, to pulling my draw elbow back into lock position, and finally a slight push towards the target w/ my bow hand and release holding my body position till the arrow impacts.
Find your ''check list'' and adhere to it no matter the target's distance and once it's mentally locked in. The other pieces will fall into place.
Get a few small targets, egg cartons, milk jugs, ballons etc, dangle on a string in front of your bale, or backstop. Pick a spot, smaller the better. it is important to use targets other than a bullseye. Then use Cardboard cutouts of antelope on stakes, in front of a hill, or bank. Pick a spot,force yourself to concentrate on a spot. Try some bamboo stakes, stuck in the ground if you have an open area. Use Judo points on a few arrows so they don't get lost easily.
Every time you go out to practice start out at 30 -40 yards... then work your way in as you start to get tired.... too many guys spend all their good shots on short range stuff, then by the time they get out further they are getting tired.....
i'd recommend finding your point on first, then learn to use a gap aiming method for tall yardage.
Many people have suggested this "gap" method. Up to this point I just assumed it was like throwing a baseball. Over time/practice my brain would figure out where to stop my bow arm. Is there a place to read up on the gap method?
-Jeremy :coffee:
QuoteOriginally posted by J. Holden:
Many people have suggested this "gap" method. Up to this point I just assumed it was like throwing a baseball. Over time/practice my brain would figure out where to stop my bow arm. Is there a place to read up on the gap method?
-Jeremy :coffee:
Jeremy...
I would suggest looking up Jimmy Blackmon's video on-line. It is exceptional. Explains gapping.
Good luck!
I think one of the most important things is to have the confidence that you can make the shot - at whatever distance you choose. I usually start at 12 for a couple of arrows, move to 18, then 25 and then 30 or more. If I blow it at one range I go back to the previous yardage to gain my confidence and then back to the longer distance. There are times that a change of 3 yards will throw my arrows way out of the target in greater proportion than the increased distance warrants because I don't have the confidence at that yardage yet. It's all about confidence and what you tell yourself. If I put one arrow on target at any distance I tell myself that there is no reason the next three can't be there as well.
QuoteOriginally posted by huskyarcher:
I was exactly the same until I decided to change it. The main key is to shoot, ALOT. I shoot every single day, sometimes 2 arras, sometimes 200 arras. It has dramatically helped me.
Specifically on longer distance-I have to gap shoot past 30. (inside 30 I shoot instinctive) 30 is my point on, and using the end of the arra as an aiming devise, I have gotten quite deadly plum out to 40,45 yards.
Just practice, and really focus on your form, your anchor points, and your release. Even the slightest error at 40 can throw you feet off target.
The main key is just to shoot, shoot, shoot, then after you do all that, shoot some more. :readit:
:campfire:
This pretty much says it all for me also. I am off to WY this fall for an antelope hunt. I have extended my practice distance to 35 yards and a few shots at 45. Not saying I would shoot at an animal at that range but under certain conditions I might consider 35. I did move to a point on method at the longer distances and on a known distance I am getting pretty effective. Shooting longer does build the confidence on the short shots.
Dang. . . I agree with Orion. . again.
Actually, what he said is very true. Practice the longer shots and see if you can gain in ability, but don't let that keep you home. Just keep your shots close ( in your range). I am gonna add, when in open areas, twenty yards looks like ten, so practice guessing yardage too or be sure to put out some markers to help guide you on estimates.
Last. . using your arrow point, or a sight, can quickly aid in longer shooting, again, with practice, but you STILL need to be able to tell if the animal is within your range or not.
Good luck
ChuckC
A million years ago Paul Shaffer had an article in a bowhunter magazine where he talked about his practice style. He said most of his practice was at long 40yd.+ ranges with a few closer ones thrown in. Any error at those ranges is magnified compared to 10-20 yds. This got his form in line. Taking his advice, 99% of the shots I take while stump shooting are beyond 30 yds and out to 60-70. I always shoot a few closer ones and they are slam dunks. I don't gap, point of arrow or anything, I just look at my spot and shoot. Just practice it. Once you begin getting it in at 30 you will be amazed at the closer ones.
Here is the link to Jimmy Blackmon's video on gap shooting.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tgm-oErUEQM
And another excellent video by Jimmy on gapping.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAEn5cAS6V4
I take net length blunt cedar arrows go out to a dirt bank and shoot point on until things get under control and then work in.
Go to the Cloverdale or Compton shoots the next two weekends. That will give you close to real life animal shots at varying distances. You will be with good people who will probably be happy to help you out .
I'll second the recommendation of Jimmy Blackmon's videos. Best I've ever seen.
the biggest thing for me is follow through , hold till the arrow hits and you will get better
Definitely don't worry about your groups at first. You'll drive yourself nuts and take the fun out of it if you expect perfection right out of the gates.
When I'm not shooting well I often "blank bale" right next to the target. I do this in the middle of a poor round or at the end of the night to walk away with a positive feeling. It helps form tremendously, which you're likely finding is so important at long distances.
Good luck.
"if your form's right, you won't be too far off at 50 yards"
Howard Hill
If you are serious about improving your accuracy at any distance you need to commit yourself to perfecting your form. Perfect form equals perfect shots equals hits.
If you need help PM me and we can talk more about it