Did some one arrow practice...

[jerp]

Most evenings I shoot for about 30 minutes, changing the distance on every shot, from 10 to 25 yards. I tried something different this weekend - some "feeder specific" practice. I was around the house all day Saturday and Sunday so once an hour from about 9:00am to 6:00pm I grabbed one arrow and went to the backyard. I sat in a chair 15 yards from my 3d deer, which is the distance from all my stands that are at feeders. I would make myself sit there for about 5 minutes before taking the shot, imagining that deer was munching corn under the feeder. I then went through my preshot routine and let it fly. The idea was to build confidence on a shot I am likely to take - hopefully on Saturday. I was pleased with the results - I probably got more out of those 10 arrows shot over 10 hours than I do shooting several times that many over 30 minutes.

[Free2Hunt]

Great idea

[SB09]

Nothing can replace real world experience. The closer you get to that situation. The better you prepare yourself for the moment of truth.

[Chunky]

That is an excellent way to practice. I often try and draw slowly, like I will from a stand...or set up one of my pop-ups and shoot out of it at my target.

You can also dress in your camo as well, pretty much anything you can do to make it more like the real shot, should help.

I have heard of guys that run around to get their heart racing to try and simulate the excitment of a big buck or something. I normally don't do this, as I have a aversion to running....but you get the point.

good luck this season.

[Hunter Todd]

That's a real good idea. The "cold" shot is the one that counts!

[dadogg]

Foot Patrol and I did the same thing at the lease - Setting up a 3d target and shooting from the blinds 1 or 2 arrows at each. Left feeling pretty confident about the range, and shooting positions. Now if only the critters will cooperate

[tradtiger]

Didn't have as much time as Jerp, but tried to simulate hunting conditions by shooting each arrow from a different distance between 8 and 28 yards in various stances -- sitting on a camp stool, wide knee-bent stance, one-knee, behind a tree -- all in a full ghilly suit. Will see if it pays off. Knew I would need to trim suit strands to keep from snagging bowstring. A little more time to fine-tune things...but feeling pretty good about ground blind or stalking readiness.

[westtex]

that sounds pretty awesome. I've done that myself and it worked well. I also wore my jacket and gloves that I normally wear just to have the same feeling and make sure I didn't have anything noisy.

[flywise]

Sounds like a great idea

[Slick8]

I've done that in the past but haven't had the idle time this year. I have practiced from a blind using the chair that I'll be in come Saturday morning.

I also shot from my new So Texas tripod after I set it up at the lease about three weeks ago.

[Phillip Fields]

Great way to practice.

[Ron]

That's a great idea

Last night I was shooting and I would position myself or target so that I was shooting through the fork of a tree or bush. This also helps me to focus a bit more and is good in case that's the only ethical shot that you might get.

[Bisch]

Good job, John!

Good luck to you, and everybody else this weekend!

Bisch

[RafterH]

I often shoot from an 8 ft. ladder which is the same height as my primary bow stand. Shoot sitting and twisting in several configurations.