Went to the range - what an eye opener

Sam McMichael · February 09, 2013, 08:29:00 PM

A new indoor range recently opened up nearby so this weekend I went to try it out. It was quite an eye opener.

Form and targeting flaws really stand out. There is no wind or unknown distance. Nor is there a need to shoot from weird positions. In short, you either perform or miss. Unfortunately, I missed a lot. The good side is it pointed out some of the bad form habits I have picked up and gave me a chance to work on them. Also, I have some equipment that needs some tuning work, and it gave me a calm environment to accomplish that.

While I prefer to shoot in the yard or to stump shoot, a trip to an indoor range with its controlled conditions can really be an opportunity tune your form. Hopefully, this will help now that 3D shooting is getting ready to kick in.

How often do you guys shoot on an indoor range for the specific purpose of reassessing shooting form?

February 09, 2013, 09:02:00 PM

I'm retired and my hang out id the local archery shop. I think I am there almost as much as the owner! I shoot almost everyday, and most times it is at the shop. The shop is a real Godsend during summer when it is 100+ degrees outside.

Bisch

Green · February 09, 2013, 09:25:00 PM

I try to leave work early at least one day a week and go shoot indoors with the retired geezer who posted above me.

Mike Most · February 09, 2013, 10:31:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by Bisch:
I'm retired and my hang out id the local archery shop. I think I am there almost as much as the owner! I shoot almost everyday, and most times it is at the shop. The shop is a real Godsend during summer when it is 100+ degrees outside.

Bisch

thats why you never miss, at the Hill Country Shoot.....

Pete McMiller · February 09, 2013, 10:39:00 PM

I shoot at an indoor 20 yd. range at my club several times a week in the winter. You are correct - it really highlites inconsistency in my form. I progress as much in a few (6-8) weeks in the winter as I do all summer in my yard. Usually I am the only one there and allows me to concentrate on a proper shot sequence.

petalumapete · February 10, 2013, 01:10:00 AM

I belong to a club with a indoor 20 yard range. I work swing shift so am able to shoot there at least 3 to 4 mornings a week. Usally have the place to myself.

Its a great place to tune. I try to stay away from the marked yardage and shoot across the lanes. That way I don't know the distance.

When time allows there'a plenty of hills around here to wander through for some good stumping.
Getting my turkeys scouted out now. Can't wait for spring

Red Beastmaster · February 10, 2013, 09:39:00 AM

Our local indoor range is pretty nice and I have shot there off and on over the years during the winter.

One thing I found out is that artificial light and four walls can mess with my instinctive shooting, especially bullseye targets. The animal targets were not as bad but those 5 color bulls were a bugger to hit consistantly until there were several holes punched in it. Being the only stickbow shooter in a sea of compounders didn't help matters.

Sometimes, after a frustrating league round was over, I would hang a pop can to the backstop and drill it with nearly every shot. Go figure.

northener · February 10, 2013, 10:54:00 AM

If you really want an eye opener, participate in the NFAA 300 round league. By the end of that you will be a better shot though.

The round is extremely demanding, on top of that is shooting with others, puts a lot of pressure on!

Sam McMichael · February 10, 2013, 09:10:00 PM

northener, the NFAA round would be fun, but I just don't think I am good enough to make a respectable showing. I lack consistency. Some days, I am an archer, but other days, I am just a clown with a bow in his hand.

northener · February 11, 2013, 09:02:00 AM

Sam... know what you mean, I used to shoot the 300 round in my compound days. I was in Free Style Unlimited Mens class, if you dropped one arrow you were out of the running, nothing but a perfect 300 with an high X count would do. Talk about pressure, it really was a mental game.

I enjoy archery too much to go and do that again.

J-dog · February 11, 2013, 01:40:00 PM

Any time you can put yourself off your known/confort areas will test how good you really are. I have never liked shooting around folks before, always a solitary type person in anything to do in life. I go to shoots with friends on 3d ranges not so much for the hunting scenarios that helps me get better but that I a shooting around folks.

Altiman94 · February 11, 2013, 03:27:00 PM

I'm not a good paper target shooting. It seems like my eyes tend to wander and my arrows will hit 'who knows where..' I am much better on 3-d targets or roving in the woods. I guess that's fortunate being animals are not paper targets and seems like 'picking a spot' is easier on a 3-d than a paper target for some reason.

I don't shoot indoors as much as should (usually need to travel to do so), so most of my practice is spring, summer, fall outdoors.