Tonight approaches a full-moon, and the second such since I started a practice that has GREATLY improved my accuracy in archery - namely, shooting after dark by moonlight only.

Here's my method: I choose a background of wood (a sheet of 3/4" plywood) to mimic a grassy-type terrain, and put in front of it a burlap sack filled with plastic bags (to mimic the torso of a deer sized animal.) I place it quartering away and at 20 yards, I shoot at it in the dark addressing the silhouette of the "torso" against the "grassy" background - and zero in on the relative location of a 'heart shot' just aft of the leading shoulder of the animal. It's amazing how tight and consistent my shots have become!

I found it matters to take a second to feel the ground beneath my feet, my posture, my hold of the bow and arrow, and lastly, THAT I TRUST MY BOW ARM KNOWS HOW HIGH TO COME AND WHEN TO STOP! The only thing left is to have my string hand find anchor and loose goes the arrow! Man-oh-man is it a rush to find the arrow exactly where it should be in a new moon (let alone a near full one!!) WHEW-HOO!                          

I like getting some candles; and putting them up in dirt- and shooting at them in total darkness.
I am careful about what is behind the candle; and I use broadheads - which stick really well.
You might be surprised how much better you shoot this way.
I have had a lot of fun with candle competitions in the dark of the night !!

Zen.....

Cool Idea, Only one week til elk season.  I will give it a try.  Basically I'm shooting everything but the family dog this week. Thanks
Josh

I'll try the candles tonight.

we had a night shoot out behind the cook tent at elk camp one night. And your right the darkness eliminates the distractions.

My hunter had missed the opportunity on a sweet herdbull at 10yds because he couldn't see his sight pins in the fading light.

Back at supper,while the rest of the camp was razzing him about needing to go to a recurve or barebow, we somehow ended up out back at the target butt, showing him what we meant.

One of the saturday morning hunting show celebs was there with his longbow, and we wagered $10 on 3 arrows, closest arrow to the "Spade" on an Ace of spades playing card took the cash.


I could see the card with my peripheal vision, but not when I looked directly at it. I had to let go and trust the force, lol.

When we turned the flashlighs on the target I had a nice group on the card, no spade though. The star of the show had a big group on the target but.


The young compound hunter got the point, but I never got my $10 bucks.