How many arrows per day?

[bobcat]

For you archery experts out there, how many arrows do I need to shoot per day to be ready for hunting season 5 months from now? I'm not a real experienced archer, hunted archery for a couple years but that was over 10 years ago now. Then I gave it up and traded off my bow, due to shoulder issues I was having at the time.

So now I've got a new bow that I bought 2 years ago, a 60 pound bow this time instead of the 70 pound bow I had before. I've been shooting it sporadically the last couple years, but now I've got to get serious since I've decided to go with an archery elk tag this year.

I'm finding that I can only shoot 20 arrows before my arms get tired. I don't want to overdo it since that's how I messed up my shoulder before. Will I be okay with only 20 shots per day for a while until I can gradually increase that? Or should I drop the poundage down to about 50 so can take more shots before I get tired?

[jackelope]

I think you'd be better off shooting less at the same weight than more at a lighter weight. 10-12 shots a day is good I've heard. It will be interesting to see these responses as I'm in the same boat.

[Alan K]

You certainly don't want to over do it.  When you get tired, the only thing you're doing is building your strength, not improving accuracy.  Stick with the draw weight you plan to hunt with IMO.

I wouldn't get stressed about about having the strength to pull your bow back for the 100th time in a day and make an accurate shot.  You'll rarely take more than a couple shots a day during hunting situations.

When I go out and shoot, my first shot of the session is the one that I put most stock in and believe is most telling.  When hunting you won't have 10 practice shots right before the real deal to get warmed up.

Quite honestly, you're the only one who can answer the question as far as how many shots per day to be 'ready'. When you're satisfied with your groups, you're ready. For some, that's a 5 inch group at 30 yards, others it's a 3 inch group at 60 yards.  (Let's skip the ethics arguement on this thread!)

If you've got a good back yard or some timbered property, I'd be more concerned with shooting from different positions and from different angles (up/down).  That'll prepare you for what you'll experience in a real situation more than sitting back and shooting a target in an open yard standing comfortably.

[jburkett]

You certainly don't want to over do it.  When you get tired, the only thing you're doing is building your strength, not improving accuracy.  Stick with the draw weight you plan to hunt with IMO.

I wouldn't get stressed about about having the strength to pull your bow back for the 100th time in a day and make an accurate shot.  You'll rarely take more than a couple shots a day during hunting situations.

When I go out and shoot, my first shot of the session is the one that I put most stock in and believe is most telling.  When hunting you won't have 10 practice shots right before the real deal to get warmed up.

Quite honestly, you're the only one who can answer the question as far as how many shots per day to be 'ready'. When you're satisfied with your groups, you're ready. For some, that's a 5 inch group at 30 yards, others it's a 3 inch group at 60 yards.  (Let's skip the ethics arguement on this thread!)

If you've got a good back yard or some timbered property, I'd be more concerned with shooting from different positions and from different angles (up/down).  That'll prepare you for what you'll experience in a real situation more than sitting back and shooting a target in an open yard standing comfortably.

You nailed it!    The first shot of your practice is the one that matters. In may and June I shoot till I can't draw my bow in one fluid motion then I take it easy for the rest of the day, and I repeat this process every day and the spend the rest of the summer shooting from farther then my max hunting range, usually 60-70 yards.  If your shooting good groups at those yardages then your 50 and under shots will come easy.

[hughjorgan]

IMO quality over quantity. I would drop weight to around 50 pounds and get the proper spined arrow for the poundage and work on your form and execution. Over time you will build endurance. Do that for a couple months then crank it up to the weight you want to hunt with and build your strength and endurance.

[JLS]

A lot of that depends on the quality of the arrows you're shooting.  20 perfect shot sequences is worth a lot more than 40 garbage shots to try and build strength.

Can you draw your bow while sitting flat on your butt on the ground, without pointing at the sky and "dropping in" to the draw?  I.e. can you hold your bow out straight and smoothly draw it back from the sitting position?  If you can't, then your draw weight is probably too high.

FWIW, I may only shoot 5-10 arrows on a lot of days.  Some days it's 20.  Some days it's 40, but I can't just shoot all 8, retrieve them, and repeat 5 times.   Take a few rest breaks.

[kentrek]

like most things quality is the key,not quantity....i like to shoot one or two arrows at a time....make every shot count...

practice doesn't makes perfect...perfect practice makes perfect

id shoot one or two arrows at a time until you notice any amount of fatigue

leave on a great shot,not a good one...after your done you want to focus on what you did perfectly and not be kicking your self in the rear for a sloppy shot (even if it hit its mark)

shoot with your eyes closed,feel the shot




also practice like a hunter and not an archer,unless your wanting to be a target shooter


just some thoughts

[kentrek]

sorry bout the redundancy of my post compared to whats said above but it prolly cant be said enough


have fun 

[norsepeak]

I usually try for around 50 a day now and don't worry too much about group size in an effort to get the muscles in shape and ready for action, then as the season gets closer, I shoot less arrows, but put much more emphasis on accuracy.  Like was said before, I think the first group and the last group are the most important for accuracy.  I try to make my best groups in those two sets.  That being said though it should be fun, so when you get to the point of not having fun, stop, go grab a beer and relax on the back porch and dream about that big bull.

[JPhelps]

When I go out and shoot, my first shot of the session is the one that I put most stock in and believe is most telling.  When hunting you won't have 10 practice shots right before the real deal to get warmed up.

   I only shoot until I become tired. Fatigue can form bad habits quickly.

In the same note you want to shoot enough so that it becomes instinctive.  There is no way to simulate your nerves with a live animal in your sights and you want that shot to be automatic.

[jrebel]

Shoot quite a bit early to biuld up your muscles, then start working on accuracy regimen with fewer shots.  I like doing drills like pulling my bow back and holding it for 30, 60, 90 seconds before shooting and sometimes longer.  I like shooting from different stances and absolutely love taking my target camping with me and shooting through brush, up and down steep angles and using real life scenarios as the season gets closer.  Remember.....you will be hunting not shooting competitions so a perfect stance is not always possible.   

[SniperDanWA]

When I go out and shoot, my first shot of the session is the one that I put most stock in and believe is most telling.  When hunting you won't have 10 practice shots right before the real deal to get warmed up.

   I only shoot until I become tired. Fatigue can form bad habits quickly.

In the same note you want to shoot enough so that it becomes instinctive.  There is no way to simulate your nerves with a live animal in your sights and you want that shot to be automatic.

I shoot about 20 arrows at 20-45 yes with 60lbs.  I'm with these guys, less is more.  Don't stress out the muscles too much or you will mess up your form.  That said, I'm good at targets but yet to get an animal with the bow.  Keep it up.

[dreamunelk]

Not about shooting lots of arrow.  Go 6 - 12 for perfection than try some holding the draw longer.  Unless you are shooting competition you don't need to be able to whip out 50 shots.  If you can drill your first few arrow every time you are in the money.   As mentioned above think hunting shots.  Sometimes you have to hold the bow at full draw for a long time.  So practice it.  Switch it up.  Throw a ladder on the roof and shoot your 6 - 12.   Shoot while kneeling.  Just think what may I run into hunting.   In 5 months you will be deadly.

[Fowlweather25]

Getting a lot of good advice from this thread!

[jrebel]

I think I need to prefice the muscle building comment made earlier.  You don't need to build muscle to be accurate, but you definitely want to be able to pull your bow without any struggle in any situation.   I have watched many of people struggle to pull their bow in cold weather or in a sitting position.  I have also watched people spook animals while attempting to pull their bows.   You should not struggle to pull your bow....ever.  If this is the case you need to shoot more till it is easy in all different situations.