I have hunted whitetails with a recurve for the past 14 years and at the age of 26 have finally bought my first compound. I loved hunting traditional but it takes its toll on the shoulders, elbow and back from holding all of the weight. I'm not giving it up but have always been interested in compounds. I was wondering if you guys had any tips on shooting, especially regarding hunting situations. What should I be practicing and how should I be practicing. My first week of practicing was complete frustration trying to retrain my body to shoot a compound. I kept releasing the second I got anchored, as you would a recurve, not so good when shooting a compound. I must have lost 3 or 4 arrows. After a few weeks I am getting the hang of it and grouping arrows (not watching them fly at 300 feet per second into four foot tall grass.) What I would like to know is what are some of your shot processes? What do you do first? What are you thinking? etc... I know the basics but would like to know what tips some seasoned compound hunters could give. Thanks!

everybody has there own groove they get in when they shoot , u just have to keep at it and find yours . the best advice i can give is , a rushed shot is a bad one . just stay calm and pick a spot

I also shot a recurve and longbow for about 10-12 years before switching back to a compound. The best advise I can give you is what you are doing shoot alot, but when that feeling of releaseing early comes what I do if you have a deck is I get on my deck close my eyes aim down and draw anchor hold and then just sqweeze the trigger slow and keep your eyes closed this whole time and just get the feel of the shot again.. Walt

I don't think there are many short-cuts to shooting well. Shooting with some good compound shooters might help, but most everything is just practice. I think the biggest thing you need to concentrate on is your grip and form. It's probably way different than a recurve. Even the slighest difference changes things drastically down-range.

Are you using a peep sight?

I am using a peep sight, and yes I have found the grip and form are way different than shooting a recurve. I have been practicing, shooting twelve arrows per session so I am focusing on quality of shots and not quantity. The shooting with my eyes closed really seemed to help. Thanks for all the help! I'm off to do a scout.

Good news I am glad that it is getting easier for ya!!Walt