Post by: bobcat on April 08, 2013, 08:10:41 PM
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?
Post by: jackelope on April 08, 2013, 08:13:03 PM
Post by: Alan K on April 08, 2013, 08:23:32 PM
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.
Post by: jburkett on April 08, 2013, 08:34:05 PM
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.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.
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.
Post by: hughjorgan on April 08, 2013, 08:35:42 PM
Post by: JLS on April 08, 2013, 08:36:25 PM
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.
Post by: kentrek on April 08, 2013, 08:38:18 PM
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
Post by: kentrek on April 08, 2013, 08:42:19 PM
have fun :tup:
Post by: norsepeak on April 08, 2013, 09:10:03 PM
Post by: JPhelps on April 08, 2013, 09:21:18 PM
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.
:yeah: 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.
Post by: jrebel on April 08, 2013, 09:23:01 PM
Post by: SniperDanWA on April 08, 2013, 09:30:03 PM
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.
:yeah: 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. :tup:
Post by: dreamunelk on April 08, 2013, 09:30:12 PM
Post by: Fowlweather25 on April 08, 2013, 09:34:10 PM
Post by: jrebel on April 08, 2013, 09:40:02 PM
Post by: dreamunelk on April 08, 2013, 09:42:43 PM
Post by: demontang on April 08, 2013, 10:03:24 PM
Post by: Jellymon on April 08, 2013, 10:09:31 PM
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.
:yeah: 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.
This is true. On my first elk I was so focused on his vitals that I dont even remember choosing my 35yd pin gap, a perfect shot just automatically happened. If I didnt practice a lot like I do the outcome may have been different.
Set the poundage where its comfortable, be honest with yourself, dont worry about speed and poundage numbers, and just have fun. :tup:
Post by: earlmarne on April 08, 2013, 10:50:21 PM
sometimes i will shoot for an hour,sometimes more,and often less.
if i start pulling shots i pack it up.
Post by: pianoman9701 on April 09, 2013, 07:26:35 AM
If you don't have access to a range with targets up to 60 yards or so, take your bow target to a field and use a range finder or pace off marked distances to get used to different yardages and make sure your bow is sighted for the correct yardages. To gain proficiency in judging distances in the woods, do as many 3-D shoots as possible before the season - at least 2 or 3. Be prepared to lose some arrows. You can also use a Judo tip to stump shoot while scouting.
Although I agree that shooting tired doesn't accomplish much if you're losing control, I also believe that you gain muscle memory and consistency through repetitious training. The more arrows you can shoot by the time the season comes around, the easier and more instinctive the shot will be when it's time to drop the string on an animal.
Post by: boneaddict on April 09, 2013, 07:27:43 AM
im not any kind of expert but i let my shooting tell me when ive shot enough.:yeah:
sometimes i will shoot for an hour,sometimes more,and often less.
if i start pulling shots i pack it up.
Post by: JamesK. on April 09, 2013, 10:50:15 AM
Post by: Bean Counter on April 09, 2013, 10:53:54 AM
I'd rather do 10 shots five times a week than 50 shots once a week. :twocents:
Post by: bobcat on April 09, 2013, 02:46:41 PM
I can shoot in my back yard, up to about 100 yards if I wanted. But I've only been shooting at 20 yards for now. I'll move it out to 40 yards max. Any further and I'll need a bigger target. Otherwise I'm afraid I'll lose some arrows.
Another question- what's a good, but cheap, broadhead target? I only have a target for field points. I've seen Cabelas has one fairly cheap. I think it's yellow and it was around $40. Is that one worth the money?
Post by: h20hunter on April 09, 2013, 02:48:58 PM
Post by: bobcat on April 09, 2013, 02:54:02 PM
Post by: Smossy on April 09, 2013, 02:55:55 PM
I've been using a can of "tire shine" on my arrows. I spray some on a rag and wipe my arrows down with it. They pull out of the target so much easier. When it wears off, wow! Pulling those arrows out an be really hard on the back! (It sucks getting old)I use a rubber arrow puller. It makes it muuuch easier. I have a hard time myself being able to grip arrows without bending them.
Post by: h20hunter on April 09, 2013, 02:57:00 PM
Post by: JLS on April 09, 2013, 03:03:42 PM
Post by: dreamingbig on April 09, 2013, 03:13:56 PM
Post by: et1702 on April 09, 2013, 04:19:31 PM
Another question- what's a good, but cheap, broadhead target? I only have a target for field points. I've seen Cabelas has one fairly cheap. I think it's yellow and it was around $40. Is that one worth the money?
BUY some of the expandable insulating foam (i.e., two part mix). I have a refrigerator box that I lined with visqueen and filled w/foam. that thing has lasted me over 5 years and thousands of arrows of mine and my buddies all shooting it. Both BH's and field points. It's just now getting to the point of being loose in the center and my arrows will bury to the fletches. time to find another refrigerator box!
As many have already said, shooting with good form is MOST IMPORTANT right now. You want to build muscles that you use for drawing and holding steady. You will also build muscle MEMORY, which will help with instinctive shooting while in the field. If you drop poundage to start, muscles will build rapidly and you can just give the bow limbs 1/2 a crank each week or two and you will be back up to hunting weight long before the season arrives. Once you are at hunting weight, tuning is important too. make sure you shoot w/somone who knows how to tune bow, arrows, etc. and you will see a big increase in accuracy. Properly tuned bow means that your field points and BHs will have same point of impact. I've been doing this for 33+ years. If you fling 20 arrows a night with proper form, quality is much better than quantity. As you probably already noticed, once you get tired, your form suffers, which greatly reduces accuracy.
If you are ever in the Duvall, WA area, let me know. I have a big horse pasture and we can shoot any distance you like. I can also help you w/any tuning issues.
Above all, have fun!
ET
Post by: Bean Counter on April 09, 2013, 05:30:57 PM
Another question- what's a good, but cheap, broadhead target? I only have a target for field points. I've seen Cabelas has one fairly cheap. I think it's yellow and it was around $40. Is that one worth the money?
I have used my Block target for mostly field points but broadheads as well. I have the older model that uses the layered white friction foam. I haven't tried out the now more prevalent black, foamy type targets. I don't know if it fits the cheap part of your requirement costing $100 but I've been using mine for four years and I still haven't gotten a pass through yet. Seems cheaper to me than the thought of spending $30 every year.
Post by: shorbino on April 09, 2013, 08:53:36 PM
Post by: sakoshooter on April 09, 2013, 09:18:52 PM
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.
Agreed. Only I like to shoot a lot of arrows. 100 every other day is pretty easy to do. 200 on some tourney days and days I'm just having a good time shootin w/buddies. I agree with the first shot theory but it's hard to make that first shot count when you don't have good form and shooting technique because of too little practice. Practice will increase your strength and accuracy. Don't be afraid of it.
Post by: sakoshooter on April 12, 2013, 11:26:55 PM
Post by: pianoman9701 on April 12, 2013, 11:36:07 PM
Post by: sakoshooter on April 13, 2013, 08:20:18 PM
If your bow matches your strength and if you can shoot 100 arrows a day four times a week, shooting becomes instinctive. Being over bowed can hamper this. I think that if you're shooting a bow that will match to your strengths, this technique of muscle memory is extremely effective.
Looking at it from a mostly hunting standpoint you're right on pianoman. I like to shoot the highest poundage I can accurately shoot. Accuracy is key. Heavy clothes, backpacks, cold weather, sitting/kneeling and steep hills affect what you can draw smoothly. Practicing with your hunting draw weight often makes all of the above much easier.