Hunting season prep ?

[Desert_Muley]

With tags starting to roll out I was wondering what everyone does to improve their archery skills for their upcoming hunts?

My yard can accommodate a 20yd range so I try to shoot at least 20 arrows a day. I also plan to shoot more 3D shoots without using a range finder to improve my range estimating skills. Even though I carry a range finder for hunting you never know when the opportunity might present or if the critter relocated during the stalk.

Thanks for taking the time to read and respond. Wish everyone best of luck on the draw and on their upcoming hunts.

 

[Slick8]

I don't know your physical condition but 20 arrows a day seems like a lot over the long haul. Back when I shot a lot of archery I tended to end up with some sort of ache or pain just prior to season.

I don't shoot nearly as much as my bow hunting is typically limited to my Texas deer lease with shots at 20-30.

One thing your didn't mention is type of equipment and poundage your shooting. I've never shot trad gear but I get why you need to shoot more often with trad. Still need to manage the ole body.

One last thing that I do. Once I've been shoot on a regular basis in the back yard, say 10-20 during the day I'll then brake it up. Skip a couple days then go out and shoot for a few. Then I like to shoot in the yard or other place where I can stretch out and shoot one arrow at a ranged but random distance. Try to simulate the positions you may encounter on your hunt. I'll do this on every trip to the rifle range or simply go to a couple spots near my house. Walk off a random distance, range and shoot one arrow, perhaps a follow up shot. I'm also lucky to be able to shoot 35 yards in my back yard.

Best of luck to ya.

 

[wapitibob]

I would bump up the arrow count depending on the number of arrows per end you are shooting.

 

[Desert_Muley]

I don't know your physical condition but 20 arrows a day seems like a lot over the long haul. Back when I shot a lot of archery I tended to end up with some sort of ache or pain just prior to season.

I don't shoot nearly as much as my bow hunting is typically limited to my Texas deer lease with shots at 20-30.

One thing your didn't mention is type of equipment and poundage your shooting. I've never shot trad gear but I get why you need to shoot more often with trad. Still need to manage the ole body.

One last thing that I do. Once I've been shoot on a regular basis in the back yard, say 10-20 during the day I'll then brake it up. Skip a couple days then go out and shoot for a few. Then I like to shoot in the yard or other place where I can stretch out and shoot one arrow at a ranged but random distance. Try to simulate the positions you may encounter on your hunt. I'll do this on every trip to the rifle range or simply go to a couple spots near my house. Walk off a random distance, range and shoot one arrow, perhaps a follow up shot. I'm also lucky to be able to shoot 35 yards in my back yard.

Best of luck to ya.

Good tips. I shoot a 70# compound. But start out at 60# and work my way up. I am an older hunter, coming up on my 6th decade of life. Not in great shape but in good shape only a couple of minor aches so far.

 

[Desert_Muley]

I would bump up the arrow count depending on the number of arrows per end you are shooting.

I am curious what this would accomplish? I try to focus on my form for those 20 arrows.

 

[wapitibob]

Repetition will lock in your form so when the green monster crawls up your @@@ you can still make the shot. If you've shot for a few years, you've already developed your own "form", and for the most part that works fine. Where people get into trouble with shoulder issues is their draw process. Watch the competitive shooters, who shoot hundreds of arrows/day; both hands are above the shoulders when you start to draw, do not draw across the front of your chest then raise the bow to anchor.

 

[Desert_Muley]

Repetition will lock in your form so when the green monster crawls up your @@@ you can still make the shot. If you've shot for a few years, you've already developed your own "form", and for the most part that works fine. Where people get into trouble with shoulder issues is their draw process. Watch the competitive shooters, who shoot hundreds of arrows/day; both hands are above the shoulders when you start to draw, do not draw across the front of your chest then raise the bow to anchor.

Only problem I see with this is, too much movement and may spook the animal.

 

[Sbird2019]

I don't know your physical condition but 20 arrows a day seems like a lot over the long haul. Back when I shot a lot of archery I tended to end up with some sort of ache or pain just prior to season.

I don't shoot nearly as much as my bow hunting is typically limited to my Texas deer lease with shots at 20-30.

One thing your didn't mention is type of equipment and poundage your shooting. I've never shot trad gear but I get why you need to shoot more often with trad. Still need to manage the ole body.

One last thing that I do. Once I've been shoot on a regular basis in the back yard, say 10-20 during the day I'll then brake it up. Skip a couple days then go out and shoot for a few. Then I like to shoot in the yard or other place where I can stretch out and shoot one arrow at a ranged but random distance. Try to simulate the positions you may encounter on your hunt. I'll do this on every trip to the rifle range or simply go to a couple spots near my house. Walk off a random distance, range and shoot one arrow, perhaps a follow up shot. I'm also lucky to be able to shoot 35 yards in my back yard.

Best of luck to ya.

I second the advise on shooting in positions you may encounter. Heck, shoot in as many different positions (even unlikely) as you can think of, including simulating walking around or leaning around a bush or tree or something at full draw

Additionally, I’d practice coming to full draw, hold for 30 seconds, let down, and immediately come to full draw again and do that a few times in a row before actually releasing the arrow. Speaking from experience, that to me is far more important of a test of accuracy and fatigue when the adrenaline spikes and dumps.

 

[dtrkyman]

3d all summer as many as I can make, I much prefer un known distance shoots.

Then at the club I like to walk the field course and shoot a single arrow at random long distance, after shooting one arrow and then walking out to pull it and moving to another target there is 5 plus minutes between shots so each is almost like a "cold" shot like a hunting scenario.

When I had a range in the yard I would walk out occasionally and fire a single arrow throughout the day.

 

[Tilzbow]

I’ve been shooting bareshafts at 40 yards to perfect my grip and get rid of some habitual grip issues and another form issue that I’ve had off and on for the past 20 years (if not more). If I do everything perfect the bareshafts hit with the fletched to 40 yards and beyond but if I fall back into the old habits I get a tail right or left that only shows up past 30 yards. When I started a month ago only about 50% of the arrows were shot perfectly but I’m getting closer to 80% now.

Closer to the season I’ll do as some have already suggested and shoot from different angles and body positions and it’s especially helpful to do this while shooting a large broadhead to ensure proper form is being maintained.

 

[Warmsy]

I've been splitting wood as fast as I can until I'm out of breath, then take a shot or two at two different targets I have setup. Wood piles all over the place so the orientation and range are always different.

In another month or so go hiking and shooting at random stuff at random ranges.