Your practice routines
 

I have been shooting more than I ever have the past year. I lowered my draw weight to 60 lbs. I start with whatI would consider longe range 50 yds, I shoot only three arrows then retrieve 9-12 shots at 50, 9-12 shots at 40, 9-12 shots 30, and last finish off 3 shots at 20.MY accuracy has greatly improved by shooting longer, I never practiced over 30 in the past, I don't believe i'll ever have a use for 50 in the field but 30 yds and under seems like such chip shots. How do some of you guys practice I'm really interested to see how we as a group vary. I also occasionally shoot from my ladder stand in my back yard to practice form at elevation w/ shots ranging from 5 to 40yds

RE: Your practice routines
 

I spend probably 75% of my practice time shooting from 20 and 30 yards. BUT, when I'm shooting close range I aim small. I stick a golf tee in the target and shoot at that. The remaining 25% of my practice varies from 40 - 70 yards. Just kind of whatever I feel like at the time.

Long range shooting is great for several reasons. You can really see your arrow flight, possibly giving a clue as to a possible tuning issue. It also makes the close shots "easy" as it were. On top of all that, it's just plain ole fun! There's something about being able to say "Hey, I just hit a 2" square at 60 yards!" that's lights my fire. It's a blast.

RE: Your practice routines
 

I spend 75% of my time at the longer ranges. I started last night at 50, too. 16 shots to different targets.......then moved to 30 for 4 shots....and 20 for 4 more (and no....I didn't do the math to see if that's 75%).

OK....66.666 percent;)

RE: Your practice routines
 

I enjoy shooting out to 50 yrds it real builds myconfidence. As the season gets closer I find that getting off the ground (in a stand) and shooting with my gear on, facemask and jacket at least really helps as well.

RE: Your practice routines
 

I never practice past 30 yards. If I'm not going to take a 50 yard shot in the field, I don't see the sense in practicing it(JMO).

I have a ladder stand setup at work. First thing I do when I get to work is grab my bow and only one arrow, set up a 3d target (20-30 yards), climb the ladderstand and go through my routine just as if I were hunting. Then I'll get up, grab my bow, draw, and shoot going through all the motions as if a 150" buck was standing there. I do this every single day before work. It really gets you into practicing the real deal mindset. It's different than standing on the ground and shooting a few dozen arrows. You have simulated a hunting situation and you have ONE shot only just like hunting.

I'll also practice shooting a lot of arrows as it gets closer to hunting season to work on form, tuning etc.... But my little one shot drill with a simulated hunting scenario really works for me.

RE: Your practice routines
 

Hey NY....no wrong answer....but would you take a 34yd shot at a deer?

My self-imposed comfort zone is about 30 yds, myself......but by practicing from 2X that distance.......adding 4 yds to it in an ideal situation would leave me with NO doubts (knowing I'd practiced from that distance).

Just another point of view.

RE: Your practice routines
 

Compound practice-anything from 20-60 with the majority being 40+
Then as the season nears, its 5-30 yds from a tree at only deer targets with broadheads, and wearing gloves, jacket, & facemask.

Longbow practice- everything from unknown distances (usually 8-20 yds) 1st shot out is at a deer target. Then I go to shooting leaves, grass clumps, apples or whatever else is laying in the yard. A few more shots at the deer target to close. Some days I switch it up and shoot varied positions(kneeling, behind trees, awkward footing).

RE: Your practice routines
 

I do the same thing in the mornings. That way, if I do something inncorrect, or make a semi poor shot...I have ALL DAY to sit and dwell on what I did wrong, and what I need to do to fix it next time. Really lets it sink in.

RE: Your practice routines
 

I do 90% or more of my shooting from 50 yards to 60 yards.My hunting range limitation would be 35 yards,preferably less.
The advantage to shooting at longer distances is it will show form flaws much more readily.If you are shooting well at 50 and 60 yards or further,anything from 30 yards and in is going to be a chip shot and the precise point you are aiming at will appear much larger because of the aiming focus necessary at the longer distances.
Bottom line if you are good at 50 yards,you will be awesome at the typically shorter hunting shots.

RE: Your practice routines
 

To answer your question, no I won't take a shot at 34 yards. I am pretty strict with myself of not shooting a yard over 30. Just knowing that my margin for error increases with any yardage over 30 yards makes me set that as an absolute maximum yardage.

However I can fully understand what you're saying andagree with the philosophy behind it. A perfect situation dead broadside at 34 yards I'm "pretty sure" I could make a good shot more times than not. Problem I have is I may be 90% sure than 100%. If you are 100% sure you'll make the shot 10 out of 10 times than it's a no brainer. I can't say that so I draw the line at 30. Just a personal preference thing I suppose. Something I've always stuck with. I've had a LOT of nice bucks cruising by me at 35-40 yards. I just blame myself for not setting up to get a 20 yard chip shot [8D].

RE: Your practice routines
 

Same here. I can shoot 70 yards at my range, and do so quite a bit. I also like to start and end each shooting session with a couple of long range shots- and do what little close range shooting I do somewhere in the middle. Also, I like to shoot only four or five arrows in each segment and then go pull them from the target.Seem to get better concentration than trying to shoot a whole quiver full in an extendedstring.Once I start feeling a little fatigue or target panic, time to take a long break.

RE: Your practice routines
 

I do about 80% of my shooting beyond 40 yds. Up to 70 yds. I have gotten to the point where I can consistently group 40 yd. shots in about a 4-5 in circle. Kill zone every time. At 70 I can keep them in a 7-8 in circle. I do step up and practice from at 20-30 sometimes, but I have to shoot 1 arrow groups as I smack the shafts to much at that range.I have shot and practiced "form" more this year than ever before, and it is paying off big time. I am more confident than I have ever been with a bow. Hopefully it will pay off come the moment of truth this fall.

Shane

RE: Your practice routines
 

i practice pretty regularly out to 40yds. i actually do most of my shooting at 35yds. my max in my backyard is 40. just today i shot 15 arrows from 35 and 6 at 25 and a couple at 15 and 20. but i will go back out in a bit and do more shooting at 35. my shooting at 15-25 is solid...now its to shrink the groups at 35+ so thats where i'll focus...and thats what i did last year...but i always shoot a couple at 30 and less just to do it.

as the season draws near i shoot from my stand once a week or so...and i'll have the broadheads tunes and shooting with fieldpoints and for a good month+ i will shoot nothing but broadheads...and will quit shooting from my marked yardages...i will shoot angles, move the target, move my position, sitting, kneeling etc etc...i will wake up like NY does and fire one arrow and walk away...sit at work all day and think how i smoked that 12pt P&Y buck...or missed him...etc etc...(added just now...new for this year but i know myself....i can really eat myself up and learn from doing that)

aside from my backyard stuff i just this week got into 3d shooting and techno hunts...both of which will help...but dont make up for poor and the lack of practice...still gotta shoot....when that buck steps out you dont think to check your sight level or shoot with a loose grip or bend at the waist or what pin to use....thats where perfect practice comes into play...let your body take over...your mind is stupid and will screw you up...let your body do what it did all season..block out your mind and make the shot...think about it and its gunna overload, confusion, rushed shot etc etc..