What do you do to stay sharp in offseason?

Brian K · 12-14-2009, 02:02 PM

I've only got a lane of about 10 yards in my basement. I shoot maybe 20 arrows a week. I've been making up different games, like shooting a paper receipt once, pulling out the arrow, and then trying to shoot an arrow through the hole I first shot, things like that. I live a good distance from video archery, etc, so I'm just trying to stay sharp by making difficult shots at short distances. What's your routine?

cwanty03 · 12-14-2009, 02:30 PM

shoot whenever possible and as much as possible! whether it is in a basement, going to archery shops, or whatever! i late season bow....so i still go outside and shoot w/ low temps.

BGfisher · 12-14-2009, 03:55 PM

I have always liked archery and shot a lot of field, 3D, and target competitions over the last 36 years. I like shooting a bow, trying to get better at mastering my mind and body. Learning how to set up and tune equipment. Trying new things to see if they will work for me.

To that tune I have to say that HUNTING season is the off-season for me. It's when I don't get to shoot as much as I like. In fact, as I get older I don't shoot nearly as much as I once did and I still manage about 8,000 shots a year.

I have always loved hunting. In fact it's one thing stated about me in my high shcool yearbook. But archery is not a sport to me. It's a passion.

rybohunter · 12-14-2009, 04:08 PM

After that post I am going to look like a huge slacker.

I don't do anything in the off season to stay sharp. Shooting a compound aint that big a deal to me.

But I will continue to practice with my longbow, at least having a smooth release. THAT takes a lot of work for me to even remotely have any confidence in shooting it.

sportsman22 · 12-14-2009, 04:10 PM

bow leagues... sharpen my bow skills, but hardens the liver

wis_rifle_hunter · 12-14-2009, 04:15 PM

i usually go to my local pro-shop, im in a video shoot league during the winter, if its a nice day i go outside and do alittle shooting.

IL-Cornfed · 12-14-2009, 05:01 PM

If you don't have access to farther ranges, then atleast the close up work allows you to keep muscle memory.... thats just as important! Keep it up.

bowfly · 12-15-2009, 10:21 AM

video league is cool, a few of my pals and i get together after football season and shoot sunday afternoons 3D outside...it is fun in the snow

i also shoot at least once a week, more in the spring and summer (only when the fly rod is out of reach

)

Mottz · 12-15-2009, 11:08 AM

I don't practice much at all. Go hard on it right before turkey season then again before deer season. Once my sights are on and I'm shooting consistant then I'm ready. Shooting at a target is different than an animal. You never have the heartbeat factor involved.

kickin_buck · 12-15-2009, 11:16 AM

Starting in Feb, I shoot indoor 3D two nights a week and one outdoor 3D almost every Sunday. Between now and then, I will be working on getting my new bow (Alphaburner) setup and ready to go.

I also do a lot of shooting my basement, which is only 13 yards. It is a great distance to do some blind bail shooting to get your release down.