Archery, fatigue misses

[Stein]

I did some research online but couldn't come up with a satisfactory answer.  I have noticed that after about 40 arrows my impacts start drifting to the right.  I shoot left handed.

Research points to shoulder or bow arm problems, but they seem to be missing right for right handers and I'm the opposite.

Any advice on what is breaking down in this situation?  I was focusing on my grip every shot, so I'm fairly confident I can cross that off the list.

[vandeman17]

When my arms are tired, I tend to miss high and left. I am right handed. Not sure the reason so curious what others have to say as well

[KFhunter]

I drift left and low, which stands to reason as I've dislocated my left shoulder so many times it just pops in and out if I lift it too high, torn up the ligaments and rotator cuff, its a mess in there.

[Rutnbuxnbulls]

I try to keep my shooting to a minimum, maybe 16-20 arrows per session. 

My focus is to try to make sure my first shot is going to be a lethal, ethical kill. 

I haven't had a lot of second chances archery hunting.

[SuperX]

you're probably flapping your arms a little at release.  check to see if you feel yourself pushing a little bit more on your bow arm.  My best guess without seeing you shoot

[D-Rock425]

I haven't touched a bow in over a month I should shoot great on the opener.

[Magnum_Willys]

I over-practiced with a 65# recurve back in the 70's.  Developed left elbow issues that have flared up at times in the 50 years since. 

How much better are you getting if you keep going after the first 40 shots?   

[Jpmiller]

I would stop shooting when you get tired. No sense practicing bad habits. If you're just trying to nail down form what I was told was to either dial my draw weight down or practice that with a lighter weight bow.

[fishngamereaper]

 

Your a better man than I...if I shoot 6 good arrows I'm done...
Lots of fatigue issues set in at 40
Heck they probably set in at 20. At least for me.
Holding steady in follow through is the biggest issue...
Don't overlook eye fatigue as well. Lazy/ tired  eyes make for lazy aiming..

[carpsniperg2]

I agree with the guys. Shooting that much can create bad habits. One thing to do a 3d shoot but to much practice is almost a bad thing.

There is a saying practice makes perfect. That statement isn’t very true.

Perfect practice makes perfect. Is a more accurate saying in my mind.

If your practicing and doing bad habits like rushing because of fatigue your going to be doing some bad habits that can carry over.

I shoot around 20/30 shots a night building up to season. When I switch to my broadheads I shoot around 6/12 a night. Everyone does things different but this works for me. That way I’m never tired or trying to force a shot to break rather then letting it pull through.

[huntnnw]

I rarely shoot more than 1 arrow at a time. It’s not natural or even close to real situation shooting multiple arrows at a time.

[salmosalar]

I try to keep my shooting to a minimum, maybe 16-20 arrows per session. 

My focus is to try to make sure my first shot is going to be a lethal, ethical kill. 

I haven't had a lot of second chances archery hunting.

I have adopted this strategy. I try to shoot 3-9 arrows every time I leave or arrive at the house. The first one is the most important. I shoot before work, at lunch (I work close), after work and then after dinner. Less arrows at a time. Try to be perfect every time. Since I started doing this, I have improved a lot.

I had been having frustrating and long shooting sessions. I think it was due to being tired. I am not a super strong guy. I would rather practice the correct form less, than incorrect form more.

[KFhunter]

I shoot long sessions, takes a lot for me to feel it

Did a 60 target 3d shoot, barely felt it. 

Stack up 2 doz arrows and fling 4 at each dot

I think a heavy poundage for your ability leads to target panic, being strong for the bows poundage leads to better form and better releases

Shoot till your tired, shoot more, shoot heavy, just before season back it way down to 6 shot sessions, focusing on shooting from a stand, shoot up or downhill

[KFhunter]

I used to shoot 90lb bows, wouldn't mind having one again, just for strength

Grab a 70lb bow and it woyld be cakewalk

[Jake Dogfish]

I can’t imagine taking 40 shots.  I only shoot a few at a time and move on to something else.

[vandeman17]

I can’t imagine taking 40 shots.  I only shoot a few at a time and move on to something else.

Me too 6-12 shots is about my average

[blackveltbowhunter]

At the OP.... 40 shots in a day? Or 40 shots in a session and how long is the session?

Would also depend on the goal in your process whether or not you are shooting too many or not enough.

I agree with most that for hunting the ability to shoot 40 arrows in a row extremely accurately is not an applicable skill.  But if through the shooting of those 40 in practice, you increase the chances of the ONE in a hunting scenario then its worth it.

[dilleytech]

Nothing wrong with shooting a bunch for strength training. But if you start feeling tired don’t worry so much about aiming just keep focusing on good technique. My guess is you are either torquing the bow and not knowing it or your bow is tilting to the right and you aren’t focused on your bubble as much.   

[Stein]

Once a week I shoot the course at Silver Arrow.  I usually shoot 2 arrows per target, sometime only one and shoot 25 or so targets.  I carry a ruck with 30# of iron plus water and junk, so about 40-42 pounds total.  I take plenty of time with each shot and try to make each as perfect as possible, but hustle between targets to get a good leg and lung workout at the same time.

The other days I try to shoot 15-25 arrows in my garage at 20 yards.

I figure if I can build the strength and endurance to be accurate on my 40th shot at the course I will have what I need for the first shot. I'm not trying to practice for 40 shots at an animal, just practicing good reps to build my skill as well as strength required for holding long draws as well as practice shooting fatigued, high heart rate, etc.  I don't think I can get that by just doing short garage sessions.

Anyway, my endurance and bow strength are building, I felt much less fatigued this week than the first week I could barely get through.  Just wondering what was breaking down resulting in the poi shift so I could focus on improving that in the later part of the course.

[boneaddict]

I shoot very few reps, like 6 to 10 per session max.   If I shoot more than once or twice  per hunting session I’d probably think about hanging up the bow. 

[SuperX]

Stein, that's an awesome training regimen!  Wish I lived closer to Silver Arrrow!

[hughjorgan]

Once a week I shoot the course at Silver Arrow.  I usually shoot 2 arrows per target, sometime only one and shoot 25 or so targets.  I carry a ruck with 30# of iron plus water and junk, so about 40-42 pounds total.  I take plenty of time with each shot and try to make each as perfect as possible, but hustle between targets to get a good leg and lung workout at the same time.

The other days I try to shoot 15-25 arrows in my garage at 20 yards.

I figure if I can build the strength and endurance to be accurate on my 40th shot at the course I will have what I need for the first shot. I'm not trying to practice for 40 shots at an animal, just practicing good reps to build my skill as well as strength required for holding long draws as well as practice shooting fatigued, high heart rate, etc.  I don't think I can get that by just doing short garage sessions.

Anyway, my endurance and bow strength are building, I felt much less fatigued this week than the first week I could barely get through.  Just wondering what was breaking down resulting in the poi shift so I could focus on improving that in the later part of the course.

Follow through issue maybe? Peaking to see where your arrow hit.

[KNOPHISH]

Hoo boy now I know what it feels like to shoot 40. Been shooting about a month 5-10 most days. Went to a walk through yesterday and can sure feel it. Started out 2-3 per target then down to 1-2. Didn’t count but had to be over 40. Can kill an elk from 55 yds if he’s broadside standing still and I’m not shaking too bad. 

[jasnt]

When I start feeling fatigued I stop shooting and just draw and let down a few more times for strength building

[dreadi]

I think the key is, stop shooting before fatigue. Shoot some good groups and pack it up. Or unless you’re shooting a walk through course, shoot one course and see how you feel.

[TriggerMike]

If you're shooting while fatigued then the only thing you're accomplishing is cementing bad habits. Shut it down when you start feeling fatigued. If that's only after 5 arrows, then start shooting earlier in the year if you wanna shoot longer sessions. I used to shoot a ton, and now I only shoot 10-15 at a time and I'm more accurate then I've ever been.

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Lots of great tips! One I picked up from Chuck Adam's in Bugle was to stand close to target  if big enough. Draw and shoot with your eyes closed. This will train your body without focusing on a target. Probably Google it and find more indept reasoning for this type of practice.

[KFhunter]

Just shoot at a big backstop with no target at all, fully focused on mechanics of the draw, release rather than hitting the X

[boneaddict]

I shot last night and irritated some "muscle" in my shoulder.   Hurts like a mother!   Only with certain movements.   Hopefully when that big buck walks out, I can ignore the pain. 
This getting old garbage ....

[Jpmiller]

I shot last night and irritated some "muscle" in my shoulder.   Hurts like a mother!   Only with certain movements.   Hopefully when that big buck walks out, I can ignore the pain. 
This getting old garbage ....

Well if you need a trigger nab to tag along with you....

Seriously thought, been there. In the back of your mind hoping you don't come across anything to shoot, wondering why you're even out there. Unwilling to go home still because it's hunting season and I'd something does come you'll do whata needed, but ...

Good luck, hope you're back at it at full strength soon.

[2MANY]

Now is the time to head in and get your Doctors note for your crossbow license.

[OutHouse]

I shoot only enough times to know I am on or I am off. Before third weekend of archery, I took one shot on a 3d target that was excellent from about 25 yards and then stopped entirely because I felt my mojo was working. Next shot was on my buck. I used to shoot a ton but then when I started winging them I would get frustrated, shoot some more, and just get more frustrated. Right handed and my shots definitely start going left and high when tired.

[salmosalar]

I continue to shoot every day. My groups have proceeded to get smaller and smaller.

One key is to not shoot after you are tired IMO.

I have noticed that since I have only been shooting for the last 5 months or so, I am getting stronger. I am not a super strong guy and I have had impingements in both shoulder when I did physical repetitive work. So Where I would notice hat my groupings would change after 8 or 10 arrows when I stated, I can now shoot many more times prior to being tired.

The other improvement is changing grips. I have a Mathews outback and that old wood grip was awful and seemed to magnify any torque. When I am tired, I notice that he torque is what gets me.