Practice Regimen

[austinphps]

What's your guys' practice regimen look like?

I typically get to the range and fire off 3 cold shots at 60 yards. Then I move back to my 20 yard pin, shoot 3-4 groupings of 3 arrows at 20, 40, 50, 60, 70. (why only 3 shots, i don't know, just what I have been doing). I might stay on a certain distance if i didn't shoot a good group. After all of that, I like to try to shoot the gaps between my pins. And then i usually try to finish up with standing at the center of the shooting line and shooting 1 arrow at the 20, 40,50,60,70. This lets me practice at some angles as well.

Anything I could switch up? What are you guys doing different that has helped you prepare for bow season?

 

[paleraider]

Here is something I do so I can get used to shooting when all amped up and uncomfortable.

I will do 5-10 burpees, then quickly grab bow and shoot and trying to do it in less then 10 seconds from the time I grab the bow. I will then shoot two more shots, pace can be slower and more focused. I will then go and grab the arrows, I use this as my rest cycle. I will then do this again another 3-4 times. I try and do one set where I am shooting kneeling and one when I am sitting.

The benefit of this is you get used to shooting when your heart is bumping and you are sucking air and tired.

I also try and do a few shots where the target is at a 45 degree angle from where I am facing so I have rotate at the hips. This really helps me focus on form.

Also I put on the chest rig and back pack and shoot with them on.

 

[5MilesBack]

Anything I could switch up? What are you guys doing different that has helped you prepare for bow season?

Later in the summer I like to do my "draw and hold" training. Many times while elk hunting you can find yourself having to hold at full draw for 2+ minutes. So I do two different scenarios.......first I'll set my watch timer on countdown for 1 min, and I'll draw and hold at 60 yards (60 is my favorite distance to shoot for some reason), and then shoot that arrow. I'll do this times 5 in immediate succession holding for a minute each and go check my grouping.

Second I'll draw and hold for 2 to 2.5 minutes and shoot a BH tipped arrow. Usually only do one of these and check the accuracy from 60. I also shoot a lot of 3D, preferably when no one else is at the range so I can "wing-it" on distances and angles.

Beyond that.....train like you hunt. This year I had just fast-paced hiked in 1 1/2" miles (because it was raining and I was late) and quickly got a bugle response. Then I ran across a creek bottom and about 200 yards up a timbered slope before I screamed at the bull above me. Then I moved up another 30-40 yards and he almost immediately came in, so I was still breathing hard. I was already at full draw and shot him at 30 yards. I always shoot with my pack on and my quiver on when I'm hunting, but not so much when I'm just shooting at home. It hasn't seemed to be an issue and is second nature at this point. But I would definitely make sure you have that routine down and there's nothing to hang up with your pack, chest rig, or bugle tube, etc.

 

[austinphps]

Paleraider - I really like those ideas, especially the burpees and then shooting. I typically shoot with my bino harness or HPG recon kit on, but i haven't done any shooting with my pack on. I will definitely incorporate these into my shooting routine.

5Mile - Building on my response to Paleraider, I will be shooting with my pack on from now on (and always do with my quiver/binos), and doing some physical activity before some shots to simulate what you have had happened with that bull. I'll work on those 2-2.5 minute drills, i'd say typically i hold my draw for about 20-30 seconds, but building up the stamina in the bow arm is a great idea.

 

[Beendare]

Well we all know there is a huge disconnect in actual bowhunting situations....vs standing at 20,30,40 flinging arrow after arrow. I think the OP brings up a good point and this disconnect on the way we practice is the reason for the high % of missed shots on game.

i think a guy has to shoot groups at the line to develop form- so that part is OK. I think a conscious shot process helps too; tell yourself things like; Level your bow, feel your perfect alignment, pick a spot...etc. Doing this consciously during practice will give you something to fall back on in a hunting scenario. Have a conscious shot sequence! Then work on doing it faster.....getting to that perfect alignment and leveling quickly, picking a spot, etc....those animals don't stand there all day waiting for you to shoot!

IMO, The next best thing a guy can do for hunting practice is set up a couple of 3D targets in the woods and move around them shooting one arrow at different distances, different body position etc. all while emphasizing a quicker shot process. To be clear....i'm not talking about a snap shot...... launching an arrow off before everything is right....but a practice routine where you get everything right....but faster.

i see a lot of guys that take forever to settle in to their anchor...and then they claim they,"didn't have a shot". One thing we all know, the window of opportunity is short....so why practice on the 3d range holding at full draw forever? IME, its rare for an animal to stand in one place without shifting body position for very long....especially when you are lined up on them- grin

 

[austinphps]

You're completely right Beendare, standing at a range, taking your sweet time to anchor and shoot isn't a hunting scenario at all. I've been working on getting my bow up, pin on target and level faster, all in order to fire off that shot in a narrow window of time. Kind of goes back to what Paleraider said, do 5-10 burpees, get the heart pumping faster, quickly pick up the bow, get it on target and fire within 10 seconds. Really like this and have started incorporating it into my range time. I do 3d targets as well, usually when i walk the 3d course i shoot at different lengths, not necessarily different angles since the course has a narrow lane for you to shoot at the target, and will practice some shots on my knees. Way I see it, I have a full year to put in the time before next archery elk season. I plan on using that time to get 100% confident with my shot.

 

[Beendare]

Yeah, so when I hear guys gearing up for very long shots because, "They can hit a softball at 80 yds on the range"...I snicker.

Experienced hunters know the issues with a hunting shot vs shooting on the range...then add that more distance only magnifies animal movement. Shooting is not hunting. I've seen too many cases over the years of top archers on a target range that miss easy hunting shots.

One example; Many years ago I hunted with a group of friends- sponsored pros- that shoot the ASA 3D tour. These guys are some of the best shooters in the world...in fact the one was the IBO world champ the year before. He could hit a 50 cent piece every time on an unmarked 3D range...the guy was an amazing shot under pressure.

He missed a bull elk at 25 yds that year in Co. He was on his knees with a bull coming up the same trail they were on...missed that bull clean. I've heard stories like this EVERY YEAR...many accomplished shooters missing what should have been easy shots.... done it myself.

If anything emphasizes a practice routine for replicating actual hunting shots...its these examples. Then add distance to those shots- Ha! A buddy who guided on a pig hunting ranch has had many 'pros' ...sponsored shooters. They had a target set up out to 120 yds and some of those guys could group 3 arrows on a pie plate at that range.

By his account, of the 30+ shots at long range they took at 70 yds plus....there was one kill at 70.....one for 30+ shots on game. Its not ALL about how well you shoot on the range..... and its unfortunate many guys have to find this out the hard way.

 

[kicker338]

All good info, the only thing I do differently and being retired allows me to do this, is practice ih the woods. Because I do a lot of camping,over a month in thye woods this yr. my bow and target go with me. Set the target up hill, down hill, set it where I have to shoot between trees, stand, kneel etc. best practice one can ever get.

 

[TurkeyBowMaster]

I could only shoot at game and my success would not change much. I probably shot my compound 100 times this whole year and after missing the first turkey I went 10 for 10 and the elk made it 11 for 11. I did miss a mountain chicken that most could have killed.

My recurve is a whole different ballgame and I shoot it about 10 gazillion times a week and don't improve a bit..maybe a little more consistent at missing less but overall I don't improve much.

 

[Beendare]

I could only shoot at game and my success would not change much. I probably shot my compound 100 times this whole year and after missing the first turkey I went 10 for 10 and the elk made it 11 for 11. I did miss a mountain chicken that most could have killed.

My recurve is a whole different ballgame and I shoot it about 10 gazillion times a week and don't improve a bit..maybe a little more consistent at missing less but overall I don't improve much.

Well TBM, isn't that the definition of insanity? You are repeating the same poor form mistakes over and over.

I've followed your posts for years...and though I disagree with 90% of your comments, I give you an A+ for grit.....and that goes a long way with me.

 

[CodyAK]

I'm limited to 20 yards in my backyard and I just started shooting again a few months ago. But I shoot 3 groups of 4 arrows. I think yesterday in between breaks from my English homework, I shot flung nearly 60 arrows. On post they have an Archery range that goes to about 60 yards which I'll start hitting a couple days a week. Hopefully I can start hitting 3D shoots here soon.

I'm also interest in practice routines. I'm working on my consistency now.

 

[Flashmo]

I'm limited to 20 yards in my backyard and I just started shooting again a few months ago. But I shoot 3 groups of 4 arrows. I think yesterday in between breaks from my English homework, I shot flung nearly 60 arrows. On post they have an Archery range that goes to about 60 yards which I'll start hitting a couple days a week. Hopefully I can start hitting 3D shoots here soon.

I'm also interest in practice routines. I'm working on my consistency now.

You can still train well at 20yds.

Line up to shoot 5yds left or right of your target and twist at waist to hit target.

Shoot from your knees.

Shoot with a 2x4 or 4x4 or big rock under one foot. Or shoot from a small ramp sloping front/back or left/right(chunk of plywood over that 4x4).

Shoot slightly twisted with one foot resting on a 5 gallon bucket.

The real world is rarely flat, and stuff moves.

Basically, once you get good form, train to shoot with proper upper body form while messing up the lower body form.