How long can you shoot?
09-13-2006, 07:29 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 10
How long can you shoot?
I am shooting a 70# bow with an 80% let off. Today I was shooting groups of 5 arrows at a 10yd target. After about 6 or 7 groups, my shoulder was fatigued to the point I could no longer hold steady on the target and I quit for the day. Granted, I was holding on the target for 20 seconds before each shot to simulate real hunting situations.
Is my bow too heavy for me or is this normal?
Is my bow too heavy for me or is this normal?
09-13-2006, 08:26 PM
#2
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Oct 1998
Location: Hughesville, PA USA
Posts: 18,322
RE: How long can you shoot?
Estimate that your shooting about 30-35 arrows. Keep that up and you'll build into being able to shoot more. It's not the quantity of arrows you shoot, it's more the quality of each shot ie, form, release, concentration, execution and mental well being. Some nights I shoot a couple dozen shots, some nights I shoot 1, some nights 5. It's quality and at times, it's one, that's usually all you get when the buck steps out.
The other Saturday I visited a good friend in his hometown and got a chance to shoot an indoor pop up 3D out to 40 yards, we warmed up, shot two rounds which amounted to around 100 shots.
Indoors paper shoots require 60 shots, 3D shoots can be 40 targets or 30 targets. It comes down to what you want from your shooting. Work into more and more, the stronger you are, the better, the easier it will be to pull the bow in cold weather, the better you'll be able to hold steady.
When endurance shooting, shoot close and don't worry about point of impact as long as your hitting the target, remember your strength training and you don't want to develope bad habits, concentrate on shot execution rather than bulleyes.
The other Saturday I visited a good friend in his hometown and got a chance to shoot an indoor pop up 3D out to 40 yards, we warmed up, shot two rounds which amounted to around 100 shots.
Indoors paper shoots require 60 shots, 3D shoots can be 40 targets or 30 targets. It comes down to what you want from your shooting. Work into more and more, the stronger you are, the better, the easier it will be to pull the bow in cold weather, the better you'll be able to hold steady.
When endurance shooting, shoot close and don't worry about point of impact as long as your hitting the target, remember your strength training and you don't want to develope bad habits, concentrate on shot execution rather than bulleyes.
09-13-2006, 08:32 PM
#3
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: PA
Posts: 9,085
RE: How long can you shoot?
dont over do it. once you feel it stop for the DAY. im a strong guy..i used to be a hardcore power lifter. my bow is 67lb draw 75% let off. its easy to pull back and i can hold it back well over a minute. the first week alone i shot atleast 1000 arrows. the next week i was laid up and couldnt even draw it back. i never felt it hurting..but it just built up and killed me. keep shooting and building the muscles..but dont over do it. youll get stronger...
09-13-2006, 08:34 PM
#4
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Albany, NY
Posts: 4,679
RE: How long can you shoot?
ORIGINAL: Rob/PA Bowyer
Estimate that your shooting about 30-35 arrows. Keep that up and you'll build into being able to shoot more. It's not the quantity of arrows you shoot, it's more the quality of each shot ie, form, release, concentration, execution and mental well being. Some nights I shoot a couple dozen shots, some nights I shoot 1, some nights 5. It's quality and at times, it's one, that's usually all you get when the buck steps out.
The other Saturday I visited a good friend in his hometown and got a chance to shoot an indoor pop up 3D out to 40 yards, we warmed up, shot two rounds which amounted to around 100 shots.
Indoors paper shoots require 60 shots, 3D shoots can be 40 targets or 30 targets. It comes down to what you want from your shooting. Work into more and more, the stronger you are, the better, the easier it will be to pull the bow in cold weather, the better you'll be able to hold steady.
When endurance shooting, shoot close and don't worry about point of impact as long as your hitting the target, remember your strength training and you don't want to develope bad habits, concentrate on shot execution rather than bulleyes.
Estimate that your shooting about 30-35 arrows. Keep that up and you'll build into being able to shoot more. It's not the quantity of arrows you shoot, it's more the quality of each shot ie, form, release, concentration, execution and mental well being. Some nights I shoot a couple dozen shots, some nights I shoot 1, some nights 5. It's quality and at times, it's one, that's usually all you get when the buck steps out.
The other Saturday I visited a good friend in his hometown and got a chance to shoot an indoor pop up 3D out to 40 yards, we warmed up, shot two rounds which amounted to around 100 shots.
Indoors paper shoots require 60 shots, 3D shoots can be 40 targets or 30 targets. It comes down to what you want from your shooting. Work into more and more, the stronger you are, the better, the easier it will be to pull the bow in cold weather, the better you'll be able to hold steady.
When endurance shooting, shoot close and don't worry about point of impact as long as your hitting the target, remember your strength training and you don't want to develope bad habits, concentrate on shot execution rather than bulleyes.
Anyhow, as Rob said your muscles will condition to the point that you are able to shoot more than that. I don't hold for 20 seconds as I can only think of one situation, however my sessions are usually 60-200 arrows all depends on the time I have. I practice form on the blank bale for probably 25% of my practice sessions still as well to keep in touch with what the perfect shot feels like.
09-13-2006, 08:42 PM
#5
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Grain Valley, MO.
Posts: 3,030
RE: How long can you shoot?
you guys are lucky, I got arthritis in both shoulders, more in my left, I'm right handed, I do about 30 to 40 arrows before the pain gets too much, my bow is also set low at 55lbs. I'llhunt untill I can no longer pull the string tho. live to hunt, hunt to live!
09-13-2006, 08:53 PM
#6
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Lone Star State
Posts: 804
RE: How long can you shoot?
At least you knew when it was time to stop, and if you ever think "Hey! I dont think i should shoot anymore arrows today," 9 times out of ten you should just stop and pick up again the next day.
09-14-2006, 11:47 AM
#7
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 10
RE: How long can you shoot?
Basically,I'm justtrying tofigureoutif I need to back the weight off on my bow. I'm a pretty big guy and am plenty strong but I don't know howphysically difficultit should be for me to shoot. Shooting a bow used completely different muscles than most other strength exercises I've done. Should it be almost effortless or should I have to work at pulling the string and holding full draw for awhile till I get mymuscles more used to it?
09-14-2006, 02:50 PM
#9
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Eastern Shore MD
Posts: 2,487
RE: How long can you shoot?
Saturday I shot for over an hour, and still was grouping fairly well out to 50 yrds. I think its just conditioning, ive been shooting 4-7 days a week since may and shoot a minimum of 25 shots each session and upwords of 200 at some times.... Just keep up the practice, when hunting you only shoot once. If your concerned about your draw weight being to heavy, try drawing from your knees and pull straight back, no cheating by raising the bow up in the air to pull down. If you cant do that then you might want to lower your weight...
09-14-2006, 07:12 PM
#10
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Blissfield MI USA
Posts: 5,293
RE: How long can you shoot?
I can shoot for hours at a time. The most I have shot was about 8 hours. I love to shoot my bow Its addictive to me. I keep saying "just a few more arrows then I will quit. ". Then a couple of hours have gone by.
For indoor spots you need to be able to shoot around 60 arrows in an evening. At least if you shoot two rounds of vegas spots. Plus practice arrows.
Paul
For indoor spots you need to be able to shoot around 60 arrows in an evening. At least if you shoot two rounds of vegas spots. Plus practice arrows.
Paul