Aldeer.com Forums Alabama Deer Talk Aldeer Bow Talk Practicing with ur bow?

For those that continue to bow hunt. How often do u practice during the season? Wanting to continue to use my bow during the rest of the season. I am kinda limited with daylight limited when I got off work it is not as easy to find time.

thats what flashlights are for!!

For real. I get in front of the flood lights and throw a big flash light on the target when its too dark

x2

By shooting deer.

What Shaw said

During the season, I will "blind bale" 5-7 shots in the garage most nights just to keep my release consistent. Also, during this time of year I usually only hunt evenings. So, before jumping in the truck, I will take one shot at the 3d target. Concentrating on the "perfect" shot. In my mind, it trains you to have that mindset when the moment of truth arrives. Practice does not make perfect...Perfect practice makes perfect.

I rarely practice. When I do it's about 4 shots to check my sights.

X3

If I do shoot during the season, it is at the TechnoHunt at AU.

I've shot at least twice a week year round for the past 5 years.

I shoot year round cause I just like to shoot.

I shoot year round

Given enough time and shooting space, why would you not continue practicing during deer season?

I agree you need to practice during season. I was just wandering what everyones routine was that continued to bow hunt in gun season when it gets dark earlier. I also enjoy shooting my bow and did several times a week up until the time changed.

I shoot after my a.m. hunt, if I am not able to shoot during the week.

Take your target and put it in the back of your pickup. I shoot a couple times at my truck after a morning hunt, or at camp house, or right before walking in for the evening... I find it is very easy to shoot while at the lease. I am in the woods and taking a couple minutes to let an arrow fly just seems right while i am there.

I shoot competitions from late February through August, then I start work on my hunting rigs. Once they are tuned and ready to go, my practice sessions consist of shooting one arrow a day until the season starts.

Keep target in my truck bed. Let a few fly before or after a hunt , with all your gear on.

Shaw,
I have heard this idea discussed previously, here, and also seen it written in some hunting publications. Can you explain the main idea of a one shot practice session? I'm thinking, if it's me doing the shooting, there's no opportunity for making a correction if I only take one shot. What thought process are you using, if you need to make any corrections? Doesn't seem like we're applying the same logic to the act of shooting.
Just wondering.

your not very confident if you feel that you need to make last minute corrections. Knowing your bow is the best way to make corrections. I like to hit a shot as I walk out the door sometimes to. I have not made a bad shot in quite a while but I mainly do it for form. not speed or target acquisition. I close my eyes, draw the bow, look through the peep, and make the shot. I agree with shaw on the one shot method because you are just keeping the subconscious motions of your routine fresh.

It makes you focus more on that one shot because you rarely get a second opportunity. Say for instance I shot to the left yesterday, that's going to eat at me all day, much in the same manner as making a bad shot on a deer or missing one. I know the bow is tuned and sighted in, so any variation is due to bad form or lack of concentration. If for some reason I shoot to the left or right for 2 or 3 days in a row, I'll make an adjustment to the sight after that one shot and put the bow back up til the next day.

This method isn't something you start a week before the season starts. At a minimum it should be started a month prior to the opening. Change your shot distances and angles everyday. The only hunting gear I'll wear is the cotton gloves I'll be wearing when I'm on stand because it does effect your bow grip and how your release fits your hand.

Every now and then I'll pull out a 5 gallon bucket and take my one shot from a seated position because you can't always stand to get that shot. My biggest buck to date was shot from a seated position because he slipped in from behind me and was 15 yards to my left before I could raise my bow. Come up with every possible scenario you can and practice them. Take shots in the bright sunlight, in low light, while having to twist, leaning out from behind a tree or whatever, because most of the time you're not going to get that "perfect" standing shot.

I use a one pin adjustable sight. Most of the time I have it set on 25 yards while on stand. I go as far as practicing shots out to 40 yards with it set on 25 so I know where to aim in the event I don't have the chance to move it prior to a shot. Doing this has paid off for me on numerous occasions.