On a trip to South Africa not all that long ago, I drew on an Impala while he was facing dead away from me at a water hole. My thinking was I would draw while he wasn't looking, hold for a bit, and he would turn and give me a shot.

I drew, and held, and held, and held, sweat began to run down my face, down my back, from under my arms, until I finally had to let down. I simply couldn't hold with any confidence any longer. I imagine I held it for maybe 2 minutes.

Being able to let the bow down easily and quietly made all the difference.

I let down, caught my breath, while he continued to drink with his butt in my face. When he pulled his head up (maybe 2 minutes later) I redrew and took a broadside shot at 20 yards. His horns and skin now adorn my small but oh-so-quant trophy room! <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

Likewise, on a hunt last month in Argentina, I drew as a large herd of Blackbuck antelope moved towards me. Crouched down on my knees near a small patch of cover, I was at full draw, holding, as they moved in my direction. I held for approximately 1 minute before taking my blackbuck at approximately 5 yards. Yep, 5 yards.

If you've ever seen blackbuck run and hop, you would understand why there's no way to draw with them close if you are on the ground. I a herd, there's too many sets of eyes to see you and they scatter way too fast. Being able to draw as they were incoming and hold til they were in position was key to my success on that antelope.

Bow hunting takes exercise and a certain amount of physical strength, where rifle hunting takes considerably less. Exercise in between your practice sessions. Some basic exercises with dumbbells like one-arm bent over rows, etc. can really help with a smooth and quiet draw, the ability to hold at full draw longer, and the ability to aim better and more stable.