Practice shot placement vs. warm-up time.

riverrat 2 · March 25, 2011, 07:48:00 AM

Does anybody else have the problem of the first
6 to 8 shots placement on target,being off the
mark. Then you start shooting dead on after that.
I will shoot the first shots bad,then I'm right on for the remainder of all shots. Next day,it starts all over again.

**DONOTDELETE** · March 25, 2011, 07:58:00 AM

I practice My first/cold/kill shoot, everything after that is form work.

Night Wing · March 25, 2011, 07:59:00 AM

Since I'm right handed, if my first shot is off to the left, it means I short drawed the bow which means I didn't come to full draw. For the very first shot, I have to concentrate and make sure I come to full draw to hit what I'm aiming at.

Blaino · March 25, 2011, 08:16:00 AM

I like to shoot just one arrow in the morning before work. I take that one shot as serious as if I was drawing on the buck of my lifetime. That is the way i practice during the week and especialy during hunting season. one arrow, one kill!

Stumpkiller · March 25, 2011, 11:10:00 AM

As Blaino and Mysticguido said.

I put everything in that first arrow of the day. Because of that I spend much time getting my bow to shoot where I am focused - working with spine, rest & strikeplate thickness, brace height, etc.

You might want to stand closer. Shoot one, go get it, move back (or, better, go to another spot/distance), shoot again.

Bowhunting is all about one good arrow.

treetoppredator · March 25, 2011, 11:16:00 AM

I used to have the same problem, like said above I believe it had a lot to do with concentration. Since then I have implemented the mental checklist... "anchor, no torque, aim, smooth release!" Booyahh! Since I started doing this things have came together. I know that it sounds like a hassle but after you've trained yourself to do it, you do it without thinking!

Friend · March 25, 2011, 11:36:00 AM

Following an established set-in-stone routine including follow-thru may enhance making your 1st shot count. Following your personal routine may also alleviate some inherent anxiety when taking the one shot on game. I elevate my focus on my personal routine in attempting nice shot execution on critters and has proven to yield big dividends.

There will be plenty of time to get excited and celebrate after the shot.

LongStick64 · March 25, 2011, 11:53:00 AM

I'm often amazed how many just get to the line without even a warmup and shoot. Slow down, warm up first with some shoulder and back tube streches and draw the bow back without an arrow. Ease into it. It's not like you shoot every minute, so it's a good idea to prep yourself, helps get you focused on what you plan on doing and getting that muscle memory working.

March 25, 2011, 04:00:00 PM

I cannot hit anything until I have done some preshot warm-up. I try to stay warmed up while I am hunting. I always sneak a practice shot or two with a blunt while I am hunting, when I do not think there is anything around.

Birdbow · April 01, 2011, 08:43:00 AM

An additional help, I've found, with the 1 arrow practice shot recommended here is to do something to elevate the pulse rate to simulate adrenaline effect. I'll shoot that 1 arrow after doing a maximum set of pushups or a couple brisk laps around the house. It's really eye opening to see what our true effective max range is when the old ticker is working overtime.

JRY309 · April 01, 2011, 02:08:00 PM

When I shot alot of 3D years ago,I would just string my bow and go to the first target and shoot my first shot.I practiced for hunting,going out in the woods before daybreak and make the first shot count.

lpcjon2 · April 01, 2011, 02:51:00 PM

My first is always done with patience and focus for thats the one that matters.Start just taking a shot every morning and evening cold with no warm up and just focus as if it was the only shot you have. After a while you will be dead on.JMHO

smilinicon · April 01, 2011, 02:54:00 PM

My first shots are usually my best shots - no warm up.

I don't agree with the one arrow at a time thing and shoot flight after flight of arrows with my light PL. I then go to my hunting weight PL and have no problem at all with switch.

LH Keith · April 01, 2011, 09:24:00 PM

Can't picture myself goin' out to hunt (or 3d shoot) without some kind of "warm up". Even a few arrows, just to get a "feel" for my shootin' that day..
Wouldn't want my first shot opportunity to go awry 'cause I wasn't confident that I was ready to make "the" shot.
Keith