Threading the Needle

[AMann]

I lost the wheels and picked up a trad bow 3 years ago. Last year was the first year I’ve had trouble putting my arrow through a shooting lane. I feel like when I shot a compound I had a better understanding of the flight of my arrow. As an instinctive shooter how do YOU account for fitting your arrow through a tight shooting lane while staying focused on your spot?

 

[justinspicher]

I just focus on the spot. Time and practice is the only way to get better.

 

[tater]

Justin has it nailed above.
Focus only on what you want to hit. Ignore everything you don't want to hit. And practice.

The best trad shots i've seen are the ones who practice stumpshooting and roving with no fear of losing or breaking arrows. They practice tough shots in real environments so they can create "mental road maps" to store, just for that purpose.

 

[Ryan K Sanpei]

In terms of "flight of your arrow", I like to use really bright fletching and arrow wraps during practice sessions. It helps me to track and visualize flight.

I also agree with stump shooting in the woods. With a little bit of imagination, you can come up with some pretty cool realistic shot scenarios.

In terms of aiming, My "pre-aiming" part of my shot sequence really helps to give me that "tunnel vision" to the target.

 

[justinspicher]

The biggest thing for me to over come was losing or breaking an arrow. A buddy told me that if I never try the shot, I can't get any better. It's a confidence thing, don't hope to hit the target, shoot to like you can't miss.

 

[LostArra]

The local traditional 3D shoots around here provide some good practice shooting through small windows. Plus, they are a lot of fun.

The shoot organizers may set up some shots you wouldn't normally take on a real animal but you learn the capabilities of your bow/arrow setup.

 

[Elk Dog]

If a skier isn't crashing, he isn't pushing the limits and he isn't learning. Don't fear the crash, fear the not learning. Go out & challenge yourself every day. Find the nastiest shooting challenges you can find and send an arrow down range. The more arrows I break or lose while preparing for hunting the better.