Situational practice.
 

How many of you have been practicing as if you were in a hunting situation? Since last season ended most of my practice has been from on the ground and standing up, with a few sessions from a tree stand both standing and sitting.
With the season getting closer I have been spending more time in the backyard treestand. I vary the distances by moving my targets around. I have also started shooting my trad gear from a kneeling postition since I plan to hunt with it from a natural ground blind. I have also been shooting broadheads from both bows. I'm just over 2 months out from my opener here in Tx. Its time to start thinking and practicing more like a hunter and not so much like an archer.
Last but certainly not least, is low light practice. What with temps breaking 100 the past few days getting out in low light conditions is not only more realistic of possible hunting scenarios it is also much more comfortable. I've been going out about 15 minutes before sunset and shooting until I can no longer see my pins well enough to make the shot.
As the season gets closer and temps cool a bit I'll start wearing a mask and long sleeves to make my practice even closer to hunting conditions.
Above all I have fun!

RE: Situational practice.
 

Good work!!!!

I can out shoot anyone in the dark[:-]

RE: Situational practice.
 

Great reminders TX, I've been fine tuning my setup and am just about ready to shoot from my treestand almost exclusively.

RE: Situational practice.
 

I try to every time I pull my recurve back when practicing. I pull it back nice and slow just as if I was shooting at a deer. Practice how you will be hunting- Hunting clothes on, different positions, in a tree, on the ground, hat on, broad heads on, etc.

Good thread Tx!

RE: Situational practice.
 

I have been practicing in my hunters safety system and coat. With 80 degree days it sure gets hot.

RE: Situational practice.
 

Greg....

I'll shoot some from atop my building before the season starts. With the gradation in my field behind the house.....I can reconstruct treestand height pretty easily.

In all honesty, though......I find VERY little difference in POI from ground to tree.

I don't go full bore on the hunting gear to start out practice.....because as our temps get cooler here......I layer up. So what I'll be wearing opening day is FAR from what I'll be shooting in in December. I just go up on the roof about once every 2 weeks during the season.

It's great practice, though....and the No. 1 bit of advice I'd give is.....If you're gonna wear a mask and gloves (to hunt).....practice with them on before going afield. It almost cost me a deer, once......my first.

RE: Situational practice.
 

I missed a fox 3days ago. I was kneeling and put my 30yd pin on him and he was maybe 25-26. Went an inch over his back, right where I was aiming . I have been after him4 days (actually late evening, very low light). I am also practicing in some of other ways mentioned but it is fun practicing with some critters too :D.

RE: Situational practice.
 

I agree. Tomorrow I'm meeting a friend that has a feral hog problem on his land. I'll be trying real soon to help him solve that problem!

RE: Situational practice.
 

I hunt just about year round (except the hot months)for various different animals, keeps me in good "hunting practice" and keeps me sane...Journeyman,all the points you made weregood points!!!! I practice a lot and I am always changing up the way I shoot, elevated, sitting, ground, etc...etc... I just recently bought one of the little practice targets that you throw so that you can shoot at various unknown yardages....It is good to break it up and not get into a routine with your practice sessions....

RE: Situational practice.
 

Everytime I go shooting.Me and a couple buddies shoot together and we all pick a shot at each target--kneeling,thru brush,uphill,downhill,differant distances,pluspick out roving shots along the way