How do you practice??
01-30-2003, 06:11 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Auburn NY USA
Posts: 116
How do you practice??
I have one season of bowhunting under my belt now. I was sitting back reflecting on it the other day. The one thing that sticks out in my mind was the practice. The hours I spent shooting. I practiced like you wouldn't believe. I became obsessed with being a perfect shot.
Then I got thinking. What should I be doing. I shot all kinds of distances, angels, times of day, weather, etc....... But it crossed my mind that shouldn't I be practicing out of a stand shooting at a 3d deer target EVERYTIME I practice. This is about deer hunting. 99% or the time I'm in a stand. 100% of the time I'm shooting at a deer. So why not concentrate ALL your efforts out of a stand at a 3d deer?? Most every sport is all about muscle memory and hand eye coordination. I mean does shooting from ground level at a block on the ground really do anything for you as far as preparing you for hunting? I realize there is an element of developing hand eye coordination by doing any kinda practice. I just think perhaps the more times you can put yourself in as real of a situation as you can..... the same height in a tree that you'll be hunting.......shooting down at a target the size of what you'll be hunting...and of course still mixing up the angles and distances, the more produtive it will be.
Just a thought passing through my brain here, what do you guys think and do you have any other practice tips for a practice nutcase!!!
Genesis 27:3 Now then, get your weapons-your quiver and bow-and go out to the open country to hunt some wild game for me.
Then I got thinking. What should I be doing. I shot all kinds of distances, angels, times of day, weather, etc....... But it crossed my mind that shouldn't I be practicing out of a stand shooting at a 3d deer target EVERYTIME I practice. This is about deer hunting. 99% or the time I'm in a stand. 100% of the time I'm shooting at a deer. So why not concentrate ALL your efforts out of a stand at a 3d deer?? Most every sport is all about muscle memory and hand eye coordination. I mean does shooting from ground level at a block on the ground really do anything for you as far as preparing you for hunting? I realize there is an element of developing hand eye coordination by doing any kinda practice. I just think perhaps the more times you can put yourself in as real of a situation as you can..... the same height in a tree that you'll be hunting.......shooting down at a target the size of what you'll be hunting...and of course still mixing up the angles and distances, the more produtive it will be.
Just a thought passing through my brain here, what do you guys think and do you have any other practice tips for a practice nutcase!!!
Genesis 27:3 Now then, get your weapons-your quiver and bow-and go out to the open country to hunt some wild game for me.
01-30-2003, 06:48 AM
#2
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Fredericksburg Virginia USA
Posts: 13,672
RE: How do you practice??
titleist IMO you are right, if you hunt from a tree stand all the time you should practice from a tree stand. I am a ground hunter and as a result I practice from the ground, I practice behind my backyard fence which is a wooded area with different elevations which allows me to practice shooting level, downhill and uphill, all the while shooting in a wooded area.
The Tazman aka Martin Price
Proud father of a Devil Dog
The Tazman aka Martin Price
Proud father of a Devil Dog
01-30-2003, 07:19 AM
#3
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Acworth GA USA
Posts: 191
RE: How do you practice??
I think you should practice any and everytime you have the opportunity, no matter whether you have a stand to shoot from or not.
I shoot in my basement a couple of times a week. There I can barely squeek out 20 yards (and have busted arrows on concrete:0)). Closer to season I do as much treestand practice as possible. For the most part I shoot about the same from a tree as from the ground.
Jim
Visit me on the Web...
http://www.huntinginga.com
I shoot in my basement a couple of times a week. There I can barely squeek out 20 yards (and have busted arrows on concrete:0)). Closer to season I do as much treestand practice as possible. For the most part I shoot about the same from a tree as from the ground.
Jim
Visit me on the Web...
http://www.huntinginga.com
01-30-2003, 07:22 AM
#4
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 9,175
RE: How do you practice??
I think treestand hunters should devote a healthy portion of their time practicing treestand shots, but not ALL their time. Why devote your entire practice routine toward a goal of making yourself a treestand specialist and a one dimensional hunter?
Lots of guys do all their practicing in the heat and light winds of late summer, then their accuracy goes astray when they put on extra clothes for the cooler fall temps in those cold front winds. Practice in all conditions and in as many situations as you can create so you can be flexible and adaptable in the woods.
Whenever possible, I take advantage of a foggy, drizzly day to go shooting. If I don't get one, I go so far as to take a spray bottle full of water and spritz my bow down. Maybe I'm a little extreme, but I need to know if damp weather is going to cause problems that don't crop up in dry conditions.
Lots of guys do all their practicing in the heat and light winds of late summer, then their accuracy goes astray when they put on extra clothes for the cooler fall temps in those cold front winds. Practice in all conditions and in as many situations as you can create so you can be flexible and adaptable in the woods.
Whenever possible, I take advantage of a foggy, drizzly day to go shooting. If I don't get one, I go so far as to take a spray bottle full of water and spritz my bow down. Maybe I'm a little extreme, but I need to know if damp weather is going to cause problems that don't crop up in dry conditions.
01-30-2003, 07:54 AM
#5
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: crawfordville florida USA
Posts: 1,251
RE: How do you practice??
I used to make the mistake of practicing before the season and
once the season began I quit practicing. I usually start shooting
in June. I use only one or two arrows when practicing. (tend to be
more relaxed when shooting fewer arrows at a time.) I practice from
the ground until a few weeks before the season opener and then I
hit the tree stand in the backyard. Once Im in form and shooting well
I only shoot about 10 shots a session. If I shoot more I tend to get
tired near the end and start shooting sloppy which decreases my confidence. I like to quit while im still hitting the bull. I shoot
a variety of targets but strictly deer target just before and during
the season. When the season starts I might shoot 3 or 4 times before each hunt to stay in tune but thats about it.
I believe its the quality of the practice and not
neccesarily the quantity.
once the season began I quit practicing. I usually start shooting
in June. I use only one or two arrows when practicing. (tend to be
more relaxed when shooting fewer arrows at a time.) I practice from
the ground until a few weeks before the season opener and then I
hit the tree stand in the backyard. Once Im in form and shooting well
I only shoot about 10 shots a session. If I shoot more I tend to get
tired near the end and start shooting sloppy which decreases my confidence. I like to quit while im still hitting the bull. I shoot
a variety of targets but strictly deer target just before and during
the season. When the season starts I might shoot 3 or 4 times before each hunt to stay in tune but thats about it.
I believe its the quality of the practice and not
neccesarily the quantity.
01-30-2003, 08:08 AM
#6
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location:
Posts: 2,540
RE: How do you practice??
I practice all year. I shoot from every position because I hunt many different game animals have to shoot in the field from all those positions.
I also practice in all weather conditions and light conditions but enjoy it the most in early morning or near sunset.
I also practice in my basement, about 15 yrds and like huntinginga I have lost a few to the block that found soft spots in the target.
I continue to practice during the season and at camp. I always take a target stop with me unless packing in to camp. In those cases I take fold up targets and shoot either into a hill or use a judo point.
And Im not sure if it was mentioned already but I'll bet most of these guys practice in thier hunting jackets, with arm guards and head covers or whatever they wear hunting.
Don't want no surprises in the field.
Work hard and be true to yourself.
http://www.hunting-pictures.com/memb...kas/index.html
I also practice in all weather conditions and light conditions but enjoy it the most in early morning or near sunset.
I also practice in my basement, about 15 yrds and like huntinginga I have lost a few to the block that found soft spots in the target.
I continue to practice during the season and at camp. I always take a target stop with me unless packing in to camp. In those cases I take fold up targets and shoot either into a hill or use a judo point.
And Im not sure if it was mentioned already but I'll bet most of these guys practice in thier hunting jackets, with arm guards and head covers or whatever they wear hunting.
Don't want no surprises in the field.
Work hard and be true to yourself.
http://www.hunting-pictures.com/memb...kas/index.html
01-30-2003, 08:18 AM
#7
Typical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Almost Heaven WV
Posts: 649
RE: How do you practice??
I pactice out of a stand and off of the ground..Tell you why...I've shot quite a few deer on my way into and out of my stand sites..like the boyscouts....be prepared.
Oh, and my targets arent deer, they're spots...tiny little spots on the deer...so I shoot tiny little spots on a backstop..
~Will Hunt For Food~
Oh, and my targets arent deer, they're spots...tiny little spots on the deer...so I shoot tiny little spots on a backstop..
~Will Hunt For Food~
01-30-2003, 09:48 AM
#9
Fork Horn
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Tioga, Pa
Posts: 454
RE: How do you practice??
There has been alot of real good advice given here titleist. I do all my bowhunting from a tree stand, therfore I practice from an elevated position with a 3d target. Either from the roof of my house or a ladder stand. Just like benhuntin, I too will only take a few practice shots each time. And I beleive my most important practice shot is my 1st shot. But, there are alot of variables that come into play when the moment of truth arrives. I've seen guys that can split hairs on a 3d target but completely miss a live buck standing 15 yards away.
01-30-2003, 10:17 AM
#10
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Big Sandy TX USA
Posts: 280
RE: How do you practice??
I think another key is not to overshoot everyday. When you get tired that is when bad habits can sneak in on you. When it gets close to season I only take one arrow and make one shot a day.
I want to take up stump shooting too. I hear it is a great way to judge distance in the woods. This would be good to do while doing post season scouting and antler hunting. Does anyone do that? I bought some judo points for that and small game in case I come across a rabbit or squirrel.
I want to take up stump shooting too. I hear it is a great way to judge distance in the woods. This would be good to do while doing post season scouting and antler hunting. Does anyone do that? I bought some judo points for that and small game in case I come across a rabbit or squirrel.