Bob: I shoot pretty much year round. Is this necessary no, is it me just loving to shoot and wanting to be as prepared as I can be on opening day YES. I'm not saying that if you don't shoot 100 arrows a day every day that you're unethical but I can't see how you can feel comfortable getting your bow out a slinging a few arrows a week before season starts. How can you accurately judge the distance? Just my opinion but I feel that more practice is needed before archery hunting.