It’s a known fact that the more you practice the better you become. This was never so true as when it applies to bow hunting. But it’s not just practicing that matters, it’s how you practice. If at every practice session you shoot standing, with your target broadside at 20 yards, you will be very good at shooting a broadside target at 20 yards from a standing position. But, as anyone who has spent any amount time in the hunting woods knows, this perfect scenario doesn’t always happen.
First, Warm Up…
Nothing can end your archery season more quickly than a muscle injury. Just an any other athlete will stretch and warm up their muscles prior to an event so should an archer. Arms, shoulders and backs need to be limber prior to shooting to avoid injuries such as torn muscles, strains and sprains. Make sure you stretch those muscles before practice or heading out to your hunting stand.
Standing, Sitting and Kneeling Positions…
You never know what the shooting situation will be, so besides standing, try shooting from a kneeling position, then try from a sitting position. As you change your shooting stance, even though you use the same muscles, you apply those muscles differently and this could greatly alter your ability to draw your bow. The change in shooting position could also cause you to hold your bow differently (albeit subconsciously) which could greatly affect your point of impact. The first time I tried shooting from a sitting position, I found it harder to draw my bow and I was bringing my arm too far across my body causing my shots to go far right. My practice sessions always include shots from a standing, sitting, and kneeling position. This practice paid off one day when hunting one of my stands best utilized for a standing shot out in front of the stand. A buck came in downwind on the backside of the stand, and while I did have a shot, I had to kneel down to take it. Because I had taken the time to practice shooting from a kneeling position I felt very comfortable and confident and was able to harvest this buck
Angle of Shot and Shot Placement…
You also need to address and practice the angle of your shot. As the angle of your target becomes greater, the aim point, or point of entry, will change accordingly. The point of entry on a deer standing broadside will be significantly different than the point of entry on a deer quartering away at a 45-degree angle or a 90-degree angle. When aiming at a quartering away deer, a good rule of thumb is to place the pin in line with the off leg, which is the leg that is on the opposite side of the deer from you. While the sight pin would be just behind the shoulder on a broadside shot, as the angle becomes greater your pin would move back further on the near side or the side of the deer closest to you. You can easily visualize this. Take a pencil (think of it as your arrow) and a statue of a deer or a box with a deer drawn on it and place the deer broadside to you. Point your arrow to your point of entry for a broadside shot. Now without moving your arrow slowly rotate the deer away from you and watch how the position of your point of entry changes as the angle of your target changes.
The height of your tree stand also affects your arrow trajectory. The steeper the shot, the greater adjustment you will need to make. My tree stands are usually 12-15 feet high and there is no significant difference. However start getting higher and you might shoot over your target or hit your target too high up. There is a range finder on the market that will calculate this difference and give an accurate reading, but this investment might not be affordable to everyone. Practicing prior to hunting season allows me to be aware of possible situations and make adjustments accordingly.
If possible, I try to mark my yardages prior to hunting season, and getting back to my stands to practice is a good time to get this done. Using colored ribbons that correspond to my sight pins I’ll mark the shooting lanes in advance of hunting season.
Tree Stand, Ground Blind and Pop-up Blind…
Another area to focus your practice sessions on is shooting on the ground, from a tree stand and from a pop-up blind. Each of these situations will affect your shooting stance, angle of shot, and even how much room you have to adjust your shooting position. While I personally prefer hunting from my permanent tree stands, there are times when I have to adjust to wind direction, weather conditions and deer movement and use an alternate stand. My pop-up blind is small, easily portable and sets up quickly but only allows for a kneeling or sitting shot. In the early bow season it seems quite roomy, but add several layers of heavy clothing in the late bow season and it gets a little tight. My permanent tree stands are large and allow for a lot of movement to adjust for a shot; however my portable tree stand and ladder stands are quite a bit smaller and movement is limited. Practice shooting in all these situations and be prepared the next time that big buck steps out.
Clothing…
Another consideration to address in your practice sessions is clothing. While most of my practice, especially in the heat of summer, is done in jeans and tank top, as hunting season draws closer, I dress as I would out on my hunting stand when I practice. Bulky jackets, long sleeves, face masks and gloves change the feel of shooting and you need to be aware of these changes and adjust to them prior to hunting season. And don’t forget that safety harness. Adjust it to fit before heading out to the tree stand. Make sure once you are in your stand that the tether is properly set and positioned so that it doesn’t interfere with your shooting yet still serves the purpose of keeping you safe.
15, 20, 30 Yards and More…
Don’t limit yourself. Even though at the present time you don’t think you would ever take a shot passed 20 yards, practice the longer shots. Not only will you find that shooting at the longer distances will make you a better shot at the shorter distances, as you become more accomplished and confident at the longer distances you will see your shot opportunities out on the stand increasing as well. Those 30-40 yard shots you used to pass up now become a realistic possibility.
I always work under the theory of ending my practice sessions on a good note. That means I always start with the shots and distances that are more difficult for me and end with the easy 15-20 yard shots. This gives you a mental advantage and makes it easier to get out there again the next day.
Have fun…
Add some fun to your practice sessions and you’ll find it easier to fit into your schedule. My husband and I incorporate a little game we call “Hunter and Guide” into our shooting sessions. One of us is the hunter and the other the guide. The guide sets the decoy (or target) and leads the hunter on a walk through the yard. The guide decides when the “deer” is spotted, the direction it is approached from and the angle of the shot. The guide also dictates a standing, kneeling or sitting position. The hunter then takes the shot. This usually turns into a competition for my husband and I as we compete to see who places the best shot, and, yes, we do try to make it as difficult as possible for the hunter in an effort to outshoot each other.
Mistakes happen, learn from them…
Inevitably the day will come when for any number of reasons your shot isn’t true and the result is a wounded animal. It’s frustrating, disappointing and disheartening. The best thing to do at this point is learn from the experience. Review your actions to try to determine what went wrong and make corrections. Go back to your practice sessions to correct any problems with your form or equipment. Check your stands and make sure there is no small brush or branches that may interfere with your arrow’s trajectory. Accept the fact that an animal can move at just the wrong moment or jump the string when you shoot causing a miss or poorly placed shot. Then put it behind you and get back out there and enjoy the experience
How much practice…
Just how much time to commit to practice will depend entirely up to each individual archer. I personally shoot at least 4-5 days per week and will shoot anywhere from 12 to 60 arrows at each session. But that’s just me. I know very accomplished archers who only shoot a few arrows here and there. Don’t overdo it at first. If you haven’t shot for awhile, start out slow and build from there; it’s just as unproductive to continue shooting when you’re shaking from fatigue and missing the mark than it is to not practice at all.
If you’re just starting out it may help to have someone there to critique and advise you, at least until you have the basics down. Again, this depends on the individual. Your husband, significant other or boyfriend may be experienced and willing to help but may also be a bit intimidating; sometimes it’s easier to work with someone totally removed from your personal life.
As to when you have practiced enough and how you determine that is up to you. When I pick up my bow and it becomes an extension of my arm; when I can raise the bow, draw, aim, release and follow through, with no conscious thought and the arrow hits the mark, then I know I have practiced enough.
