How do you stay in form while backcountry hunting?

[dado5]

I am getting ready for my first backcountry hunting trip this sept in CO. I tend to shoot everyday if possible. I was wondering if anyone does anything in the field to keep in archery shape. If I am in the field for 5 days and then find an elk to shoot I think it may be weird to draw my bow having not done so in 5 days and then my first shot needs to count. Does anyone bring an extra tip to shoot every now and then at a stump or even just draw your bow back several times per day or should I just not worry about it.

 

[BroodBuster]

After a long brushy hike I'll usually shoot a judo into a creek bank or stump just to make sure everything is still tuned.

 

[Ross]

any time i have a bull coming in or engaging i pull my bow back a few times to get the old muscles loosened up and to remind myself PICK A SPOT

 

[Tilzbow]

I get 24"x24" 9# density sheets of ethafoam and cut into four 12"x12" targets. They're fairly light and small enough to fit inside or strap to the outside of a pack. I draw a black spot on one side with a marker. You can also drill holes into each corner, thread parachute cord through and hang onto a limb or bush.

One 12"x12" target will last a few weeks of shooting 10-15 arrows each day. The 9# ethafoam isn't easy to find though and the source I used a few years ago doesn't exist anymore.

 

[littlebuf]

really really over thinking this one bud. hunting season is the reason your shooting every day. when the big dance comes just worry about dancing when your partner shows up. packing in target, now thats some funny shit

 

[Bighorse]

Ya the time of practice has passed. It's time to get down to the buisness of killing. You got much more difficult factors to deal with than shooting. Focus on getting within archery range above all else. The shot will happen if you've prepared.

 

[boom]

really really over thinking this one bud. hunting season is the reason your shooting every day. when the big dance comes just worry about dancing when your partner shows up. packing in target, now thats some funny shit

^this. trust muscle memory.

besides, i found out since starting bowhunting..i am rarely standing on flat ground, feet - shoulder width..leading foot slighlty forward.

it all goes out the window anyways. i think i practice shooting to minimize the shooting errors in the hunting field.

 

[Elkfitness]

I take one field tip to shoot a shot or two if I get the itch. I mainly bring it to check my pins if I bump something on my bow.

 

[Highcountry_Hellrazor]

I always have a judo for my ADD and grouse haha.

 

[5MilesBack]

5 days should have no effect whatsoever on your shooting.......it's like riding a bike. I have gone weeks without shooting and picked up the bow and stacked arrows. But I do carry a judo tipped arrow in the quiver and I have my Rinehart back at base camp if I feel the desire to do some shooting.

 

[gelton]

5 days should have no effect whatsoever on your shooting.......it's like riding a bike. I have gone weeks without shooting and picked up the bow and stacked arrows. But I do carry a judo tipped arrow in the quiver and I have my Rinehart back at base camp if I feel the desire to do some shooting.

This is true. Hadn't shot a bow in 15 years and was stacking arrows at the range getting ready for this season. No one there believed I hadn't shot a bow in 15 years and I told em it was just like riding a bike. It was as if I had never taken a break. Obviously I can still use some fine tuning but it's something that wasn't hard at all for me to pick back up. I do plan on getting a few grouse though and ain't too proud to practice on them before the elk.

 

[bohntr]

I always take two extra arrows with judos.....I stump shoot often during mid-day lulls. Keeps my sharp and confident.

 

[dotman]

really really over thinking this one bud. hunting season is the reason your shooting every day. when the big dance comes just worry about dancing when your partner shows up. packing in target, now thats some funny shit

Spot on!

 

[Almost]

I always take two extra arrows with judos.....I stump shoot often during mid-day lulls. Keeps my sharp and confident.

What he said.

 

[justinspicher]

A couple of judo points are always handy, I shoot them quite a bit during a hunt.

 

[Backpack Hunter]

I don't think I ever shoot on an actual hunt. As mentioned above, trust your muscle memory. This is what you have been practicing for.

 

[kodiakfly]

I don't think I ever shoot on an actual hunt. As mentioned above, trust your muscle memory. This is what you have been practicing for.

Agreed.

 

[tipsntails7]

really really over thinking this one bud. hunting season is the reason your shooting every day. when the big dance comes just worry about dancing when your partner shows up. packing in target, now thats some funny shit

Agree

 

[charvey9]

I pack a judo point just in case my bow takes a nock or fall and I need to check that everything is still in tune, but do not use it for practice. I usually will draw my bow back and anchor for a few seconds anytime I knock and arrow and set up or sit down at a hunting spot, just to check everything out.

 

[Outwest]

really really over thinking this one bud. hunting season is the reason your shooting every day. when the big dance comes just worry about dancing when your partner shows up.

Yep.
It just seems like no one ever wants to dance with me...

Usually I will shoot everyday up until 2 days before my hunt. The day before, broad heads go on and I know its ready to go. Primarily because if by some horrible luck something does go wrong 2 days before, I can at least have a day to try to get it fixed. When I get on a hunt I will draw my bow back a few times just to get my muscles loosened up.

I went with a guy on a late season elk hunt and he wanted to check his bow after he fell with it. He shot an arrow into a dead juniper and it is still there to this day. I get a good laugh every time I hike past it.