Archery practice routine?

[SawatchSasquatch]

I’m likely to draw an archery elk tag in CO. I can’t shoot in my yard, but take my target a couple times a week to some nearby public land to practice.

For those without home ranges, how often are you shooting a week and arrows a session? Also any practice tips/drills like straw bale, awkward shots, 1 arrow drills, that helped you?
Thanks in advance.

 

[JFK]

I shoot at my house but process would be the same if I was shooting elsewhere. I’ll typically start with a cold bow shot at realistic hunting distance and an odd yardage. That first shot of the day is important and will tell you if you have a repeatable, hardwired process. Keep track of your first shot success rate and distance so you know what your max range is on demand.

Besides that I’ll mix it up to keep it interesting. I was working on shooting while sitting down yesterday. Take a day and shoot all longer shots, etc. if you can shoot in uneven terrain that’s useful as well. I’ll also have times when I just shoot at shorter even yardages and work on form. Shrinking your groups at 20 makes them smaller at 60.

Probably average 30-50 arrows per session…150 or so arrows a week. Better to go slow and intentional though compared to just aiming for high shot count.

 

[Dennis]

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I begin by building and tuning a hunting arrow setup suitable for elk, while also focusing on basic shooting to reinforce form and accuracy. From there, I work on maintaining accuracy from a variety of realistic positions—uphill, downhill, seated, kneeling, and on sidehills.

Next, I use a walk-back drill to define my effective range. I establish a kill-zone-sized target, start at 5 yards, and shoot one arrow. After each shot, I retrieve the arrow, step back another 5 yards, and repeat. I continue until I miss the kill zone. My effective range is the farthest distance at which I consistently hit within that zone.

Once I’ve identified that range, I dedicate a few days to a one-arrow practice format, similar to the “Cold Bow Challenge” discussed on Rokslide. This helps simulate real hunting conditions where only the first shot counts.

As the season approaches, I transition to shooting broadheads exclusively. I practice wearing full hunting gear—including clothing, pack, and binoculars—and ensure all equipment is dialed in, secure, and ready for the field.

Shooting with friends can also be valuable, as it introduces added pressure and creates opportunities for additional challenges that better simulate real-world scenarios.

 

[dkime]

I’m likely to draw an archery elk tag in CO. I can’t shoot in my yard, but take my target a couple times a week to some nearby public land to practice.

For those without home ranges, how often are you shooting a week and arrows a session? Also any practice tips/drills like straw bale, awkward shots, 1 arrow drills, that helped you?
Thanks in advance.

This time of year I am strictly working on shot process, fixed distance, shooting for groups and ensuring that I am doing everything the same every single time. The max I can routinely practice at is 30yds and I am working toward keeping 5 arrows inside of a NFAA 5 spot x ring at 30. This is just my barometer for where I know I need to be before I move outside and focus on anything else. If I am struggling to get the type of grouping I find necessary it will allow me to focus on my setup, whether thats point weight, peep height, various rest positions, etc. But I cant touch those things without knowing I am not a factor.

I am probably in the minority here but I have never encouraged a single person to attempt to practice making awkward shots. Its definitely a biased perspective but I see a lot of folks struggle on a flat range let alone trying to introduce the awkward variable. Awkward shots arent hard if you can shoot to a point where the arrow always hits behind the pin.

The only real "drill" type exercise I do is to validate my sight tape. Grab a handful of arrows and scatter those suckers across a range and shoot at non- traditional ranges. Everyone has their 20yd pin set, but what does that 20yd pin do at 26,30, 34yds? It's something that helped me gain confidence in knowing that when I need to be fast and what I can get away with.

One arrow exercises are phenomenal for confidence building. If you've got a setup that is shooting great but the first arrow doesn't go exactly where you want it to go then you've got some more work to do.

 

[Skerhunter]

My advice - practice at home in your garage/basement where it is safe at like 5 yards. Just focus on your shot process or developing one (wouldn’t even worry about focusing on aiming). Main goal would be getting in muscles in shape. Have target elevated so you aren’t shooting down at the ground. 10-20 arrows a day goes a long ways!

Days you can practice at distance will benefit greatly from the practice at home.

 

[anonymous22]

Training should be divided up into 3 things.

1) Figure out your components early on. Do not change broadheads at the last moment. Quality components go a long way. There’s some good vane options that give optimal steering and minimal parachuting. I perfer right helicals. For most western hunting, most of us prefer double bevels. I’ll let you research them why’s. Arrow building is one of the most critical steps to having a consistent results and good terminal performance in the field. Especially in weather.

2) The obvious that you hit on already is shooting. Marksmanship. Pretty straight forward. All I’ll add is be proficient as you can as far as your set up will let you shoot. Doing this should make the shorter shots a chip.

3) Next is ballistics and sight tape tuning. This is why it’s important to get at least 6 broadheads and stick with a consistent arrow set up. Arrows act like bullets. The further out you shoot, the less accurate your sight tape will be from what you did at home based on varying density altitudes you may find yourself in. It’s not only a marksmanship issue, but a ballistic issue. You’d be surprised at 60y how severe a major density altitude swing relative to your home conditions can be, especially combined with just the slightest error in technique. Not uncommon after getting tired from crawling around and tackling terrain on a stalk.

The solution that I use is custom sight tapes that are density altitude specific. I put them on in the field for precise accuracy. I measure density altitude with a kestrel.


Lastly, I’ll leave you with this. In my progression, when I learned to consistently find animals, I had trouble landing shots. Most of my shots were 50y to 80y. That’s what the stalks and conditions typically allowed. My archery capabilities were elevated 10 fold when I started cutting and building my own arrows and tuning my own bow. It’s been about 15 years now, and I found out for myself what generally works and doesn’t and in what situations. Much like stalking techniques. It’s allowed me to hunt low success tags and take animals at a very high success rate relative to reported statistics.

 

[cjarchery]

l like to practice 3 to 4 times a week if I can squeeze in the time. Usually shooting 3 arrow groups to focus on quality over quantity for about 45 minutes to an hour but I have to build up to that early in the off season. When you start fatiguing and getting shaky it’s time to call it for the day. You’ll only develop bad habits trying to battle through fatigue.

I also put a lot of value on doing aiming drills. Just drawing and aiming and holding until I can no longer be steady and then letting back down.

Blank baling at home can be a great way to focus on your shot execution as well.

 

[SawatchSasquatch]

I shoot at my house but process would be the same if I was shooting elsewhere. I’ll typically start with a cold bow shot at realistic hunting distance and an odd yardage. That first shot of the day is important and will tell you if you have a repeatable, hardwired process. Keep track of your first shot success rate and distance so you know what your max range is on demand.

Besides that I’ll mix it up to keep it interesting. I was working on shooting while sitting down yesterday. Take a day and shoot all longer shots, etc. if you can shoot in uneven terrain that’s useful as well. I’ll also have times when I just shoot at shorter even yardages and work on form. Shrinking your groups at 20 makes them smaller at 60.

Probably average 30-50 arrows per session…150 or so arrows a week. Better to go slow and intentional though compared to just aiming for high shot count.

Appreciate the advice on fatigue, high shot count not critical, and uneven terrain. The first shot idea is helpful too giving confidence for max range.

 

[SawatchSasquatch]

---

I begin by building and tuning a hunting arrow setup suitable for elk, while also focusing on basic shooting to reinforce form and accuracy. From there, I work on maintaining accuracy from a variety of realistic positions—uphill, downhill, seated, kneeling, and on sidehills.

Next, I use a walk-back drill to define my effective range. I establish a kill-zone-sized target, start at 5 yards, and shoot one arrow. After each shot, I retrieve the arrow, step back another 5 yards, and repeat. I continue until I miss the kill zone. My effective range is the farthest distance at which I consistently hit within that zone.

Once I’ve identified that range, I dedicate a few days to a one-arrow practice format, similar to the “Cold Bow Challenge” discussed on Rokslide. This helps simulate real hunting conditions where only the first shot counts.

As the season approaches, I transition to shooting broadheads exclusively. I practice wearing full hunting gear—including clothing, pack, and binoculars—and ensure all equipment is dialed in, secure, and ready for the field.

Shooting with friends can also be valuable, as it introduces added pressure and creates opportunities for additional challenges that better simulate real-world scenarios.

This is really solid. The step back drill is interesting. And I’ll research the cold bow challenge too. I know there’s probably tons of other threads and it can be controversial, but what’s your hunting arrow set up, weight, etc for elk? TIA

 

[vladkgb]

Don't forget to do holding drills, so many times i've had to hold drawn until I could get a good shot. I build this up by adding bow trainer work to my workouts, i pull the max weight which is about 90# 10 times over 3 sets. On the 10th rep of each set, i hold it for 10 seconds. I do both arms so i don't have an imbalance. Then at least a month before season, i'll add 3 sets of holding shots to my regular bow shooting routine. Increase the hold time by 30 seconds each week. For example I'll draw, aim and hold for 1 minute, then execute a shot, rest for 2-3+ minutes and go again two more times. First week i'll do 1 minute for 3 sets, then add 30 seconds each week, once i'm holding 2-3 minutes and able to execute an accurate shot for 3 sets, I'm good to go.

 

[dkime]

This is really solid. The step back drill is interesting. And I’ll research the cold bow challenge too. I know there’s probably tons of other threads and it can be controversial, but what’s your hunting arrow set up, weight, etc for elk? TIA

Day Six XD 300
500gr TAW
275fps
Evo100gr 3/4 bleeder

BUT everyone here knows i am biased

 

[Joe Holden]

Majority of my practice is inside 7 yards. That includes the ability to stretch out to 60 in the back yard; 140+ at a buddies up the road; and a 3D league where shots are 1 yrd - 115 yrds. Constant practice allows me to focus on grip, peep to sight housing lineup, and follow through.

 

[Joshk358]

Typically, I'll step outside and shoot at least one arrow a day. Most days it's anywhere from 3-12 arrows. But I do try to shoot every day. Keep sharp for 3D shoots and always ready for hunting season.

 

[Blowdowner]

I’m likely to draw an archery elk tag in CO. I can’t shoot in my yard, but take my target a couple times a week to some nearby public land to practice.

For those without home ranges, how often are you shooting a week and arrows a session? Also any practice tips/drills like straw bale, awkward shots, 1 arrow drills, that helped you?
Thanks in advance.

Can you shoot at all at home even if it's from 5 feet away from the target? If I was in your situation I would do that a ton and then when you roll up to public make your first shot 50 yards...

 

[SawatchSasquatch]

Can you shoot at all at home even if it's from 5 feet away from the target? If I was in your situation I would do that a ton and then when you roll up to public make your first shot 50 yards...

Yeah, I could do some shorter shots. I just need to make sure the Town doesn’t take interest since it’s not allowed. But this thread has me rethinking that and I could also set a target up in my shed to practice shot process.

 

[LostArra]

Quality shots over quantity.
Shooting when your bow muscles are fatigued is a waste of time and a good way to introduce bad habits. Remember we are hunting not fighting the battle of Agincourt.

OTOH it's good to take some shots after a run or a long ruck session especially with your pack on and maybe out of breath. Elk present themselves when you least expect it.

 

[Dennis]

This is really solid. The step back drill is interesting. And I’ll research the cold bow challenge too. I know there’s probably tons of other threads and it can be controversial, but what’s your hunting arrow set up, weight, etc for elk? TIA

Glad you found the information helpful, and best of luck on your elk hunt. You’re on the right track in recognizing how important arrow setup is for elk.

To consistently achieve a humane harvest, your arrow needs to penetrate through mud, hide, muscle, and bone before reaching the chest cavity—all while remaining structurally sound and keeping a razor sharp edge throughout.

 

[kcm2]

I try to shoot 2x/week when the weather is good here in the Denver metro area. The Highlands Ranch range is 15 minutes from my house. I shoot the flat targets to work on form, and the 3d targets to work on field condition shooting. Well worth the annual fee for me. Winter, maybe 1x/week if I can, but I may also take a few cold weeks off. Yes, I know, what cold weather?

When shooting for form, it's no more than 2 dozen arrows in sets of 3 or 4. For the 3d targets, there are 38. I typically shoot at about 30, and probably shoot a total of 40-45 arrows over the hour and a half it takes to walk the range. YMMV.

 

[bipock]

If you have a multi-pin sight, I practice shooting at all my pins. I also shoot my sight set at 20 but target at 30 and sight at 30 but target at 20 just in case I get in a situation where I can't quickly dial the sight or forgot to dial it back (likely the latter).

While I don't shoot a ton of crazy angles and what not, I do shoot kneeling and sitting, as I had that happen to me last year on my hunt.

 

[Healthy Scratch]

Typically I shoot twice a week Wednesday evenings and Sundays morning/afternoon at a sportsman's club that I belong (about 35 minutes from my house). I also join a winter and summer archery leagues (30-arrows, also at the sportsman's club). I prefer shoot outside but, if the weather is really bad or, it's not daylight savings time, I'll shoot indoor. Typically, when I am practicing, I send 36 to 48 arrows. The club has some elevated platforms (indoor and outdoor) but, other the them, the club is flat (most of Michigan is pretty flat). Besides shooting from a platform, the only angles I get to shoot are at TAC. If you have the available time (and opportunity), I do recommend joining a league. You get to hang out with a bunch of likeminded individuals and a little competition never hurts. Good luck with the elk!