three days of great shooting, then it falls apart

[elkboy]

Hey everybody-  Just wanted to reach out for some insight. 

I shot a lot this weekend in my backyard range (0-23 yards).  I have really been working to perfect a smooth release using back tension and allowing the bow to fall away from my bow hand in the follow through.  And it has been working pretty well.  So well, in fact, that I shot an awful lot this weekend, just because it was so fun to shoot better than I normally do. 

So then I come home after work today, and shot 3 or 4 good, solid shots, even though my archery muscles were kind of sore and unsteady (I could feel it).  Then, I just have the worst release possible, jerking the bow wildly to the right on the release.  Absolutely smashed an arrow in the hillside behind my target, and it shook my confidence.  I moved up to fifteen yards, and shot a few more shots, just focusing on form and release.  Felt good after that, but definitely went and hung the bow up for the night. 

So here's the question.  How much does this reflect my actual archery ability?  Should I worry, or will I get back to that "solid shooting feeling" once I rest up for a few days?

Thanks in advance, archery gurus. 

[lord grizzly]

Stop thinking about it so much. Once you learn how to shoot initially I firmly believe 90% of archery is mental. With regular shooting of course. You didn’t lose all ability to shoot overnight. You shot a little tired, jerked your release and got in your own head. Next shot, don’t think if anything other than watching your knock all the way in. The rest takes care of itself

[pope]

What equipment and for how long (months/years) have you been shooting? I've jerked a few shots but typically only when my form was off, meaning I didn't expand my chest and didn't have my elbow back far enough. Short drawing causes variability you don't want, and mistakes are compounded when your back is tired.

[DaveMonti]

Probably a combination of fatigue and loss of focus.  Just keep shooting, your conditioning will increase, and you will be able to shoot more shots per practice session in due time. 

The first shot in hunting is the one that counts, although many will tell their tales of having a second or third shot after misses!

[3dvapor]

Try shooting the target close up and with your eyes closed focus on just the release.  This will help with your target panick and improve your funfamentals.

[elkboy]

Thanks everyone.  I really appreciate the thoughts and the perspective!

I did struggle with target panic last year.  It took a lot of "blind bale" shooting, like 3dvapor pointed out, and gradually increasing yardage to get over it.  Also, learning to use back tension and a surprise release while focusing on aiming. 

I have to travel for work for three days.  Think I will try again after that when I am fresh and rested. 
 

[Skyvalhunter]

Might look at trying a shot gun 23 yards will be good practice for your turkey hunting this spring

[tgomez]

Try a thumb release instead of a back tension release. I have never been a fan of back tension releases. Even try a wrist strap/trigger style release as well.  I think you will like those more. The accuracy part is in your bow hand and tunning of your bow. A consistent anchor point is also necessary. Make sure you pull a comfortable poundage that you can pull straight back. Best of luck and keep at it.

[W_Ellison2011]

Try a thumb release instead of a back tension release. I have never been a fan of back tension releases. Even try a wrist strap/trigger style release as well.  I think you will like those more. The accuracy part is in your bow hand and tunning of your bow. A consistent anchor point is also necessary. Make sure you pull a comfortable poundage that you can pull straight back. Best of luck and keep at it.

I would also recommend shooting while a little fatigued. I don't mean only your muscles used for you bow. I mean grab a pack and go walk a couple miles carrying your bow then shoot a single arrow at 15-20 yards at the target. Or even better, if you know of a archery walk through then grab your pack and archery gear and go do that. I never really put much thought into the walk throughs until last year when my buddy forced me to go. The reason I am saying to do these things is because most of the time when you are going to be taking a shot at an animal, you are going to be at least a little tired. Unless you are lucky and find one close to where you parked or as you are driving to different trails hunting.  Also as stated, make sure you can do a smooth straight pull back and hold the full draw. Some people say a minute is a good amount of time to hold your draw. Reason for this is because sometimes you have to wait for an animal to step out from behind cover. Too many guys have watched people on TV that can barely pull their bows back and then gone out and bought a bow that was too much weight. Just my 

[idaho guy]

Stop thinking about it so much. Once you learn how to shoot initially I firmly believe 90% of archery is mental. With regular shooting of course. You didn’t lose all ability to shoot overnight. You shot a little tired, jerked your release and got in your own head. Next shot, don’t think if anything other than watching your knock all the way in. The rest takes care of itself

  overthinking it creates most issues for people

[elkboy]

Thanks again for all of the input, everyone.  I shot again this afternoon, with fresh eye and fresh muscles. Much better, no hint of a twitchy or jerky release.  I also stopped long before I started to tire the bow muscles.

Have a great weekend!

[W_Ellison2011]

Thanks again for all of the input, everyone.  I shot again this afternoon, with fresh eye and fresh muscles. Much better, no hint of a twitchy or jerky release.  I also stopped long before I started to tire the bow muscles.

Have a great weekend!

You do need to practice fatigued though. As I stated not so much your bow muscles but the rest of your body. Unless you plan on just stepping out of the truck and shooting an animal then you will probably be hiking with a pack and the rest of your gear. Another thing would be to practice shooting from positions that you could see yourself being in while hunting. IE sitting on the ground or at odd angles. Also if you have a quiver for your bow shoot with the quiver on and with arrows in it, if you aren't already. It can change things. Keep at it and have fun!

[Bullkllr]

Randy Ulmer used to practice running around or working out in his yard then getting his bow and shooting a shot. Just one shot at a time to replicate hunting situations. I have tried to replicate this approach into my own shooting and can say it is good practice. This approach is obviously after extended time shooting groups to build consistent form, tuning, and execution.

[Redstar]

I agree with the stop thinking about it so much comments. But sometimes it's hard to do...

For whatever reason, archery and trap shooting seem to be similar for me.

When I just relax and shoot things usually click and I'm hitting (almost) everything. When I start to over analyze things I shoot like crap.

And yeah - not really the greatest advice, I get that, but it's hard to explain in words. When you're not caught up in your own head you kinda feel it and you just shoot.

[W_Ellison2011]

Randy Ulmer used to practice running around or working out in his yard then getting his bow and shooting a shot. Just one shot at a time to replicate hunting situations. I have tried to replicate this approach into my own shooting and can say it is good practice. This approach is obviously after extended time shooting groups to build consistent form, tuning, and execution.

Yup. Another good person to check out that does a similar thing is Cameron Hanes. Dude is a MONSTER!

[elkboy]

Great advice all around!  Thanks guys. 

I have shot in the past after a day of working in the woods, when the whole body is pretty tired and I have been going uphill and down.  You're right, it definitely makes it realistic.  What I might do is a few sprints up and down the street to get the heart rate up and then see if I can keep good form.

[elkboy]

Might look at trying a shot gun 23 yards will be good practice for your turkey hunting this spring

I wish!  Work is killing me this April.  I think the gobblers are safe from me this year, unfortunately.  Going to save my time off for chasing elk and deer around this Sept and Oct.  Good luck to you, though, if you are going out with shotgun and calls in hand!

[D-Rock425]

Watch some John Dudley videos.  Just don't go out and shoot shoot with a purpose always working on something. 

[MR5x5]

That's why they call it golf, err, archery....

[elkboy]

That's why they call it golf, err, archery....

   That's what it feels like sometimes...

[elkchaser54]

100% I used to golf a lot then picked up archery and its like the exact same emotional roller coaster.  You hit a great shot perfectly straight then the next one is off and you're left reeling and trying to figure out what happened.  That damn brain if I could just shut it off some times haha