I think you make a good point. I usually practice from the ground, just to work on my release, etc. However, the buck I shot this year was from a treestand. I managed to keep it together, had the buck sighted in at only about 15 yards or so, a nice quartering away shot. Right before I let the arrow go, I told myself, "Aim low." So I aimed at where I figured the heart was-- way low-- and let the arrow fly. I tried to bend at the waist, but in the heat of the moment, it's hard to remember exactly what happened. Anyway, when I recovered the deer, I was shocked how high the arrow hit! I was actually afraid that I might miss the deer low because of how I was aiming, but it ended up punching through both lungs. You can bet I'll be practicing from an elevated position this summer!

Thats the way to go,bending at the waist is only good form,but there nothing better than good old practice.IMO you should practice not only how you will be hunting,but also wearing what you will be wearing when hunting,finding out while practicing that your string hits your shirt or jacket is better than finding this out while hunting,I've had jackets,hats,gloves all effect how I shoot but thanks to practicing with them before hunting season started I never had to find out the hard way! And also practice with your broadheads I know alot of guys who will shoot 1-2 shots with there broadheads and hit the woods not me I practice the month before the season with nothing but broadheads,alittle added cost but well worth it! JMO

When the weather turned bad and it was hard to shoot outside because it got dark so early, I'd come home from work and shoot about 4 arrows in my basement with a bulky coat on. It was only about an 8 yard shot, but I think it made a big difference as far as being able to pull across my chest when drawing without running into all the bulk of my coat. I also learned to bend my elbow slightly so the string didn't hit it. Little things like that can really help.

Another thing that can help with string clearance on your arm (and also help you feel back tension) is stand at a slightly open stance.

Good on the arm. I know many archers have double jointed bow arms that actually bend farther then straight and that has to be a challenge to get around.

You are absolutely right about the reason for shooting high out of a tree stand because you have a tendency to drop your arm instead of bending at the waist. Your shooting form changes when you do not bend at the waist. I went to a Timberline No-Peep this year that will show any torque in your shooting form. It forces you to use the same form in a tree as you do on the ground. I love it!

I have shot and placed in state tounaments. Taught and been taught archery! Hunted and in Alaska been hunted (scary)! I have shot more animals with a bow in my younger years, killing more than 25 per year for several years. At that same time shooting state and local shoots. With the exception of Vegas, I have always placed high in the outcome. The one thing that sticks in my mind today, is something someone said to me, "you can shoot the spots off the 8 ball, but how are you at a real target"? He was speaking of live animals, and the first year we hunted together he took 7 deer more than me and 3 pigs more than me. He found out that just because I shot competition didn't mean that I can't take animals, but the lessons I learned from targets applied in shooting deer, and the lessons I learned from him about hunting still applies. No matter what the deer does after the shot, if you didn't aim at the vitals, you are missing a chance to harvest the animal. And if you don't keep the upper torso the same as when you are standing straight, it will be a miss. Archery, all, is a game of consistancy!!!!