Enclosed/Pop-up Blinds, Depth perception and Instinctive shooting

[txtrophy85]

Question for the experienced trad archers:

Shot and missed a pig today out of my Phantom Blind (very similar to a Krivoman) and missed him big. Like shot a foot over his back at 15 yards. I haven’t been able to practice a whole whole lot but what practice I’ve got in has been quality, and I shot well yesterday and today at the block target. I almost never miss high, right, left or low, sure, but high is very rare.

I’ve noticed that when I’m in an enclosed blind setup it’s very hard for me to judge distance compared to when I’m in a tripod. With a compound and pin setup it’s no big deal, but it seems like I’m struggling to focus when I’m inside a blind, and short distances seem much farther than they actually are. My last miss out of a tripod, I shot low, but the shot still felt good, when I’m shooting from an enclosed blind it seems I have much less control over the shot. Hunted out of a tripod yesterday and was very confident taking a animal at 15-18 yards.


Am I imagining this or do some of y’all have the same thing going on when hunting from an enclosed blind in regards to depth perception?

[Bisch]

I don’t have any depth perception problems out of blinds myself, but I know of several folks who get all screwed up when shooting thru mesh.

Bisch


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[txtrophy85]

well that doesent make me feel any better!

[RickBarbee]

Out of a blind, no problem.

Out of a blind, and trying to look & shoot through a mesh screen, I just can't do it.

Rick

[DRT]

Out of a blind no sir. Do it often as those are the types of blinds on our ranch.
The shoot through mesh gives me some grief though so I don't use it.

I practice shooting out of a pop up at home to simulate blind hunting.

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[txtrophy85]

Well y’all are not making me feel very good. Maybe I need to practice out of it on occasion…the batting average is real low out of the blind. The 1 vertical window that’s open throws me for a loop, and it didn’t just start with the trad bow, but like I said with a pin sight it’s a moot point.

Hopefully I have got all of my misses out, this is getting frustrating.

[Smokeater]

Have to say I'm in your camp. Just seems a bit off like it's messin' with my depth perception. Stuck two pigs yesterday with the compound and like you say...non issue. Last one I shot at with the longbow..went over. Let down a few times b4 releasing cuz it seemed off. I'm just thinkin' I'm not focused on my "aim small" target enough..? I may try opening the next window for a bit wider view. I have to stay back from the window as well or bow will hit top of blind. Makes a hale of a racket and most certainly will shoot high....and scare the chit outta yourself! Good luck!

[JayBay3405]

As a relatively new Trad bow hunter, I feel your pain TXtrophy. I shot high out of a treestand the first couple of times I released on critters a few years back. The thing that has helped me work through it is practicing out of the scenerio I will be hunting in. I live in a subdivision and practice sometimes in my back yard off of my roof, my wife was mortified but she has not left me yet. I practice like Gary said out of popups, and enclosed structures also to get the feel. I can honestly say since I have done these things, I have not missed anymore, I also wait for the perfect shot and if I dont get it the animal walks. Some of the really seasoned guys on this site say they prefer shots on animals at 12 yds or less relaxed. Your probably a lot better shot than I am, but I would not feel comfortable taking a shot on anything, at my experince level at 18 yds. That being said a lot of the guys on here can be succesful at that distance, In my trad journey and experience level that distance leaves to much margin for error for me. Just my 2 cents.

[Brushybowman]

I think when you shoot out of a Ground blind it’s
Louder than being in a tree. Plus your on the deers level .. Maybe aim lower to compensate more for the deer duck..

[Trumpkin]

I've never shot out of a pop-up... but I have sat in one once, and that thing really messed with my depth perception! 12 yards looked like 20.

[jerp]

I'm with you txtrophy85. It was never a problem in my compound days but I struggle with depth perception shooting trad gear from ground blinds. It may be seeing the walls in my peripheral vision makes it harder to focus or something. What has helped me is in the weeks leading up to the season I will shoot at a bag target at various distances from all my ground blind set-ups. It builds confidence for the real thing.

[RickBarbee]

I think when you shoot out of a Ground blind it’s
Louder than being in a tree. Plus your on the deers level .. Maybe aim lower to compensate more for the deer duck..

It is louder "to you", because you are trapped inside with the sound.

Outside the blind, the noise is actually softer/quieter, because the blind is muffling it some.

Rick

[txtrophy85]

I've never shot out of a pop-up... but I have sat in one once, and that thing really messed with my depth perception! 12 yards looked like 20.

Exactly!

[txtrophy85]

I'm with you txtrophy85. It was never a problem in my compound days but I struggle with depth perception shooting trad gear from ground blinds. It may be seeing the walls in my peripheral vision makes it harder to focus or something. What has helped me is in the weeks leading up to the season I will shoot at a bag target at various distances from all my ground blind set-ups. It builds confidence for the real thing.

That’s what I think it is…my peripheral vision is confused.


Didn’t hunt this morning, walked outside and flung an arrow at the block target at 20 and drilled it.


I love pop ups for Concealment but I’m probably gonna convert every spot to a tripod.

[DRT]

A little practice might go a long way. If you ever decide to hunt a ranch somewhere or go to Africa you're going to be shooting out of blinds.
IMO it's better to learn and expand your capabilities then to throw up your hands in frustration and admit defeat.

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