How good do I need to be before taking a shot on an animal?

[RaiderSmoke]

So I'm still new to archery. I've been shooting my bow for a couple years and have gotten to the point where I can group with confidence at 20-30 yards. I haven't taken a shot on anything, because I am nervous about not making a lethal shot. I'm laid up with a back issue right now, but would like to take a shot on a pig soon. Since I've been doing this essentially alone, I'm not sure how to judge myself. Any pointers or advice from all you pros and vets?

[Sit-n-Sleep]

If you can keep a group in a 4" square you should be good. If you plan on shooting from a tree stand, practice in a tree stand (it makes a difference). It's really all in your on confidence of the shot. I personally will not shoot a distance on an animal if I can't hold a group 10 yds. futher than the shot. I will not shoot past 30 yrds. I can group at 40 yds all day long.

[RaiderSmoke]

That's really good info thank you. I don't have any idea what I'll be shooting from as I've never done any hunting without a rifle and have only been focusing on the shooting aspect thus far

[Sit-n-Sleep]

The last few years I have been hunting from a ground blind (crazily brushed in). I enjoy it, but there is a down side when hunting. My shooting holes are so small that I rarely see anything coming. I listen for crunching corn. I try and set up multiple blinds for bow season (different wind scenario's). I like tree hunting but I like to be up about 20'-25' so I have to practice for sure at 25'. Good luck and be confident.

[RaiderSmoke]

Thank you!

[Seacoal]

My advice, do something athletic before you shooot to try to get your heart rate up. And only shoot one shot per setting. If your mowing the lawn or something and it's hot, set your bow off to the side, and go over and shoot a shot every 10-15 minutes. Remember, in the woods its only your first shot that counts, so thats what I focus on. Sure, I can sit there all day and bury arrows at 20 yards, and that's great, but the most important shot to me is the first one, preferably if I can get my heart rate up.

And like said above, confidence. If you think about missing, or making a bad shot, you will. Just draw, and watch your arrow bury itself where it needs to go before you ever shoot, then shoot and watch it do it again

[RaiderSmoke]

I never thought about that. I usually need two shots to warm up , so I definitely need to change that. The confidence aspect sounds doable , but I'm nervous it will all go out the window when the pin is on an animal and not my cube

[gig one]

Trust your eyes they will beat your brain every time . What im saying is believe in your judgement and shoot

[jse0607]

Confidence ! I just picked up my first bow less than a year ago and it was a Recurve got pretty decent with it right away just about 4 months ago maybe less I picked up my first compound and it was a 2004/5 used bowtech from Craigslist I practiced probably everyday because I just got sacked into it hard core. Practiced at a range everyday then decided to practice different shots sitting down on my knees even from the top of my truck lol. A couple of weeks ago I was given the chance by a guy on here to go shoot my first pig i let the arrow fly and bam !lung shot at about 25/30 yards! 5 min later I was given the opportunity to make sure it wasn't luck when a small hog came out ... same exact hit . Practice and have confidence is all I can say yesterday I got a raccoon from a tree stand 15 feet in the air just make sure you know the distance your shooting at and have your pins set and this will bring confidence in your shot good luck !

[Razorback01]

You could also shoot a 3D course, see how you score compared to the rest of the field.

[Buff]

Lean your pig target up against your wife's car.
Walk back to where you are comfortable shooting it.
That would be your max distance for hunting

[RS3]

My advice, do something athletic before you shooot to try to get your heart rate up.

The best way to simulate "buck fever" is to run a 100 yard sprint then grab your bow and shoot while your breathing is uncontrollable.

[BTLowry]

Lean your pig target up against your wife's car.
Walk back to where you are comfortable shooting it.
That would be your max distance for hunting

All replies are good advice

[tjb86]

Lean your pig target up against your wife's car.
Walk back to where you are comfortable shooting it.
That would be your max distance for hunting

Lol that's one way to build confidence.

[popup_menace]

I think ted nugent said it best when he stated that if you cannot consistently hit a softball sized target at whatever distance you're shooting then it is not within your killing range. The best thing to do is practice beyond where you are effective and you'll see your groups shrink. I'm fixing to start practicing at 100 and moving up 10 yards every second group and see what that does at 40 yards