Accuracy standard before taking to the woods?
12-04-2005, 05:37 PM
#1
Fork Horn
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Botetourt County, VA
Posts: 203
Accuracy standard before taking to the woods?
I'm new to bowhunting and I just want to know what is YOUR standard before you take to the woods in the hopes of scoring a kill? I've only been practicing a few days now and now I'm wondering just exactly I should be trying to accomplish as far as accuracy is concerned. At 12 yards, inside the house at ground level, I can move my hits to all 5 dots on the block target at will. I havn't tried any 20,30 or 40 yard shots yet, but I'm just wondering what type of accuracy I should be striving for. It wouldn't be fair to the deer if I didn't make a killing shot and I'd be pissed if I missed as well. Your thoughts please.........
12-04-2005, 05:51 PM
#3
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Pac NW
Posts: 224
RE: Accuracy standard before taking to the woods?
Well....for me it's the ability to put 3 arrows in a group
of no more than 6" at 45 yards. Of course this is in the vital area,
not the gut! For me aiming low cuz it's usually farther than I guess.
Some guys can nail tacks and ruin arrows/nocks, but I just dont get
out to the range enough. I'm going to make it a point to shoot more this next year and
get that group tighter.
of no more than 6" at 45 yards. Of course this is in the vital area,
not the gut! For me aiming low cuz it's usually farther than I guess.
Some guys can nail tacks and ruin arrows/nocks, but I just dont get
out to the range enough. I'm going to make it a point to shoot more this next year and
get that group tighter.
12-04-2005, 05:54 PM
#4
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 7,208
RE: Accuracy standard before taking to the woods?
Keeping all your shots in a 4" circle at your maximum distance under simulated hunting conditions. (hunting clothes, with broadheads and in the positions you will shoot from) Even though I practice out to 50 yds I won't shoot past 30.
12-04-2005, 05:56 PM
#5
Spike
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 65
RE: Accuracy standard before taking to the woods?
It just depends on you. I went out many times w/ my bow just to geta feel for the tree stand and the environment. I also practiced shooting from my stand at a 3-D target. I think it helped me alot. Your confidence is the most important thing. When you feel confident, go for it. Bowhunting is going to change your life forever.
12-04-2005, 06:03 PM
#6
Fork Horn
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Botetourt County, VA
Posts: 203
RE: Accuracy standard before taking to the woods?
The reason I wanted to get into bowhunting in the first place was because of the longer season, buck or doe is legal and the weather is more comfortable so I don't have to worry about freezing my hands and feet in the stand. I will admit that I should have done this a long time ago, but then again I should have moved out of CA a long time ago also
. The only thing that concerns me is that deer shot with an arrow always run a distance before they drop. That is why I'm so concerned with the accuracy thing. I don't want them running THAT far. I want that broadhead to cut both lungs up.
. The only thing that concerns me is that deer shot with an arrow always run a distance before they drop. That is why I'm so concerned with the accuracy thing. I don't want them running THAT far. I want that broadhead to cut both lungs up.
12-04-2005, 07:00 PM
#8
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Ohio
Posts: 114
RE: Accuracy standard before taking to the woods?
I started bowhunting when I was about 13. My dad told me I wasnt allowed to actually hunt until I could put all 6 practice arrows in a 3 inch group from 10, 20, and 30 yards. Needless to say after some time I needed new nocks every other week. I was determined to go hunting with a bow.
12-04-2005, 07:19 PM
#9
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location:
Posts: 260
RE: Accuracy standard before taking to the woods?
I'd have to agree with some of the others on this forum. I wouldn't go out until you are confident in your shots. This is only my second year of bow hunting. I practiced for about 3-4 months before I went out my first year. I agree with needing to have a min. of 3" groupings at 20-30 yards, perferably further. After practicing a lot both from the ground and from a tree stand, I can group my shots at 20 yards in the size of about a half dollar piece and not much different at 30 yards. At 45 yards they are all within about a 4-5" circle (all in the kill zone), but I probably wouldn't take a shot at 45 yards unless all the conditions were just perfect and I was sure of the distance and everything. I like to get them in 30 yards or closer. I've only killed one deer so far with a bow and he was about 20 yard mark. He only ran 30 yards from the place I shot him and I watched him go down. There's nothing like bow hunting and it's a great feeling to get your first deer with a bow. Good luck and practice, practice, practice!
12-04-2005, 07:36 PM
#10
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location:
Posts: 75
RE: Accuracy standard before taking to the woods?
I don't like to shoot at the same bullseye because I've destroyed several arrows like that. So, I make sure I can hit 3" circles / squares consistently out to about 35 yds. At 40 yds I shoot at a deer sized paper target with styrofoam backing and ensure I can consistently hit vitals.
