I can practice in my basement at about 12 yards. If I were to shoot at this distance for the winter, will it do me any good when I can get out to shoot at longer distances or mess me up not being able to vary the yardage? I've heard that it's the same instict whether at 12 or 40 yards, but I've never got good enough for this to be the case with my shooting.

Here's what I'd do if confined to only 12 yards for practice. I would shoot only one arrow and then pull it. Make my form on each shot as absolutely perfect as I can and really concentrate - focusing my complete concentration on the very center of the very center of the spot I want to hit for several seconds before releasing the arrow.

You'll still need to shoot at varying distances when you can, but if you build a solid foundation with good form, then accuracy will follow.

Arthur nailed it, shooting for perfect form from that distance will be tremendous help when you can get outside & can shoot further.

Ok. Let me ask this then. When it does get above 17 outside, that distance I've hit bullseye after bullseye all winter long - how do I transfer that "feel" to longer distances? I am good at 20 yards from a tree stand. When the target goes further than that, I'm lost. My buddy has always told me, "it's the same feel and instinct in picking the small target to concentrate on.". Yeah, ok. I suck outside 20 yards because of this. I have no clue of how to adjust for different yardages. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

If you keep practicing and you cannot get any better than 20 yards you have just found your limits for now.

Which is not a bad thing I have friends that cannot shoot well at 20. But they still get deer you just have to wait on your shot.

KB

I practice at 7 yds in my basement. I pick a previous arrow hole and try to put the shaft in it again. The key to good shooting is a good solid anchor. This can be learned at any distance. Once outside, use the same anchor that you have developed, and start to increase yardage, still picking a previous arrow hole in target. That's the only way to learn distance.

Badshotbob, my point of view is that most traditional archers are overly hung up on the 'instinctive' form of shooting. For most people it works fine out to 20 yards. A few really exceptional people can shoot good to maybe 35 yards. But the average guy, I feel, would do himself a huge favor by learning some form of gap shooting for longer yardages.

I prefer the Howard Hill indirect gap method. Read Hill's 'Hunting the Hard Way' or get one of John Shultz's books or videos to learn it. Basically, you still concentrate on the target, but you're also aware of the tip of the arrow in your peripheral vision. You learn how close or how far to hold the tip of the arrow to the target in relation to how close or how far YOU are, in relation to the target. The further you are, the closer you hold the tip of the arrow. At some point you hold the arrow directly on the target to get it to hit where you're aiming. That is called your point on or point blank distance. And it's different for every bow/arrow combination.

If your anchor wanders and your draw length is inconsistent, you'll never figure out where that point on distance is, because you're putting an inconsistent amount of power onto the arrow. So, that is why the practice in your basement is so important. You MUST develop a consistent anchor and draw length before you'll ever be able to shoot worth a flip at long range.

You get that down and you'll have to change your handle. Everybody will constantly be saying 'GOOD SHOT, Bob!'

Thanks for the info. This syle of gap shooting you speak of - I think I've been shooting this way and didn't even know it. That's how I shoot now regardless of distance to target. I'd like to learn it right though. I know what you're saying about drawing the same every time with anchor point and all that. I find that if I don't pause and breath for a couple seconds at full draw, every thing goes south on the shot. This sets me up for my anchor. That's the cool thing about shooting a recurve - if you can't concentrate 100% every shot, forget it.

Practice at any distance is a good thing if it is" good practice " by that I mean if you are concentrating on improvement ( good form, realese, anchor, and shot placement, ) and in addition it will keep your muscles in shape which you would be amazed how quickly they will go away. Unlike compounds to become really proficent with traditional equipment it needs to become a life style instead of a once in while hobby. In other words shooting year around no matter what the distance is required. As far as your need to draw and hold for a few seconds I think everyone would benefit from this practice there are some people who can draw and release as soon as they touch anchor and hit very very well but they are not the norm and I believe they to would benefit by settling into there anchor.