One shot, everyone knows the rules!

[gcr0003]

Well the only rule is: take one shot in the morning before work or daily activities or after work to get ready for hunting season to open!

Our hunting season doesn’t start until October 1st for part of the state and October 15th for much of the rest. I thought I’d start a little thread where you wake up in the morning, get a cup of coffee and take one shot at your target cold before work. My shot is 17-18 yards from the target. I might do a first shot from the saddle in the evenings. I’m going to post my first shot each time to keep it honest.



It got down to 53 last night here in Alabama and though it might be 90 opening day, I’m starting to get a real bad itch to be in the woods.

Traditional or Compound I won’t stereotype! Y’all have a blessed morning.

 

[CooterBrown]

Its still dark when I leave home so I have to shoot in the evening.

 

[gcr0003]

Its still dark when I leave home so I have to shoot in the evening.

Fair enough, that was short sighted of me, evening works too! Just one shot though (first shot).

 

[Red Beard]

I been doing this for some time now cept I leave the arrow in the target each day to show progress over time. Think I'm getting better and better!

 

[Weldabeast]

Question....when u guys are shooting at live action animals do u aim where the animal is currently in space and time or do u compensate for "string jump" and adjust aim point for where u think the aim point will end up....

Personally I compensate ....quick rabbit deer and slow projectile so I aim below where I want to hit.

I don't know if that's correct thing to do or not but based off my misses in the past and the ones I have managed to hit that seems like the right course of action

 

[GCTerpfan]

Question....when u guys are shooting at live action animals do u aim where the animal is currently in space and time or do u compensate for "string jump" and adjust aim point for where u think the aim point will end up....

Personally I compensate ....quick rabbit deer and slow projectile so I aim below where I want to hit.

I don't know if that's correct thing to do or not but based off my misses in the past and the ones I have managed to hit that seems like the right course of action

On a completely relaxed deer, especially one with its head up I will aim where the deer is currently. If the deer is on edge or has it's head down, I will lower that aim point slightly to lower third of deer. I have shot over the backs of a few deer though.

 

[DB4x4]

I been doing this for some time now cept I leave the arrow in the target each day to show progress over time. Think I'm getting better and better!
View attachment 71193

Going for that lucrative femoral artery shot, eh?

Also, for the record, this is a Bush League way to get yourself a "Robin Hood".

 

[cville_bowhunter]

For those of you shooting on animal targets, do you find that it makes a noticeable difference over shooting at your normal block type targets? I've only ever shot block targets, and I'm wondering if I'm missing out on the realism aspect

 

[MN_Bowhunter4]

For those of you shooting on animal targets, do you find that it makes a noticeable difference over shooting at your normal block type targets? I've only ever shot block targets, and I'm wondering if I'm missing out on the realism aspect

I find it helps for the actual sight picture, but I’m a recurve instinct shooter. I’m too cheap to get an actual 3D target so I put my block on a bucket to simulate vital height.

 

[gcr0003]

For those of you shooting on animal targets, do you find that it makes a noticeable difference over shooting at your normal block type targets? I've only ever shot block targets, and I'm wondering if I'm missing out on the realism aspect

It has made a huge difference to me. In the woods the first couple years I struggled finding a place to aim on the deer in the moment. The target helps me work off of different features of the deers anatomy such as coming up from the front leg etc. it’s not difficult to do but being able to see it every time I shoot helps. I work on my angle of penetration depending on where I am at quarter away, quartered to, broadside, up in a tree with the same. I also work on slow draws and platform movements. Generally, it seems more realistic to me as well since it’s about the right deer height and size. That said, I need to get a smaller deer target. The one I have has to be the biggest target they make and it’s not as realistic to the does, nor the smaller bucks I’ll have the opportunity to shoot in the area im hunting this year. I focus on the heart with my mainly broadside shots from the ground for point of aim since it’s a smaller target, but that changes when I’m in the tree. The target I have has a cube vital section and they have vitals outlined differently for a treestand shot as well as a broadside shot that you can change depending on what you’re shooting or practicing. Take all of that and add it together shooting awkward shots from a saddle and platform and it really makes for fun shooting and good practice.

 

[Horn]

The target I have has a cube vital section and they have vitals outlined differently for a treestand shot as well as a broadside shot that you can change depending on what you’re shooting or practicing.

Do you know what target that you have?

 

[Weldabeast]

For those of you shooting on animal targets, do you find that it makes a noticeable difference over shooting at your normal block type targets? I've only ever shot block targets, and I'm wondering if I'm missing out on the realism aspect

I can't speak for these other peeps and it's just my opinion, but I think it does.....why train ur brain to spot at dots? Excluding butternuster shooting at the spots on fawns hehehe....none of the animals I'm trying to kill have dots...legal deer can't have spots here.
Also helps to practice for the ¼ to and ¼ away shot angle and shooting for the exit on elevated shots...
When tuning the bow and tuning the arrows I shoot block but for sighting in the sight and practice for hunting the 3d is more realistic of what it's really gonna look like.

Maybe it doesn't actually help but it's more fun....I can't stand shooting at set distances like at a range

Edit: oops too slow @gcr0003 beat me to it

 

[gcr0003]

Do you know what target that you have?

I have the Glendel buck. The center target portion has been great but the deer body that holds the cube is thin and tore apart pretty easily. I have a Strap holding everything together right now. Not sure if I would recommend it. I like it but I don’t think it holds up the best.

 

[Horn]

Thanks

 

[Blacksmith]

For those of you shooting on animal targets, do you find that it makes a noticeable difference over shooting at your normal block type targets? I've only ever shot block targets, and I'm wondering if I'm missing out on the realism aspect

For an instinctive shooter, I think it makes a difference, at least for me. A target on the ground is easier for me to judge distance. A critter standing seems harder to judge distance, if that makes any sense at all. For a sight shooter, I don't think it makes any difference out to maybe 25 yds.

 

[GCTerpfan]

For those of you shooting on animal targets, do you find that it makes a noticeable difference over shooting at your normal block type targets? I've only ever shot block targets, and I'm wondering if I'm missing out on the realism aspect

Yes, as others have said it’s a completely different site picture. As an instinctive shooter it makes a big difference in my shooting when I practice with a 3d target.
There are basically two ways that I practice. I wil kick a soccer ball around the yard and shoot at it with a rubber blunt or I shoot’s at 3d targets. If I shoot at the ball only for several weeks and then go back to a 3d target it takes me a couple shots to start shooting to my potential. But for whatever reason, I can shoot the 3d targets for several weeks, then go back to the ball and not have any issues.

 

[cville_bowhunter]

Yes, as others have said it’s a completely different site picture. As an instinctive shooter it makes a big difference in my shooting when I practice with a 3d target.
There are basically two ways that I practice. I wil kick a soccer ball around the yard and shoot at it with a rubber blunt or I shoot’s at 3d targets. If I shoot at the ball only for several weeks and then go back to a 3d target it takes me a couple shots to start shooting to my potential. But for whatever reason, I can shoot the 3d targets for several weeks, then go back to the ball and not have any issues.

The soccer ball with blunt tips is a neat idea. I'll have to try that out when I have some more space. Right now, I'm stuck going out in the last ten minutes of light, to the only kinda hidden corner of my yard, in order to be as discreet as possible. No privacy fence + living in the city = potential for upset neighbors

 

[gcr0003]

I can't speak for these other peeps and it's just my opinion, but I think it does.....why train ur brain to spot at dots? Excluding butternuster shooting at the spots on fawns hehehe....none of the animals I'm trying to kill have dots...legal deer can't have spots here.
Also helps to practice for the ¼ to and ¼ away shot angle and shooting for the exit on elevated shots...
When tuning the bow and tuning the arrows I shoot block but for sighting in the sight and practice for hunting the 3d is more realistic of what it's really gonna look like.

Maybe it doesn't actually help but it's more fun....I can't stand shooting at set distances like at a range

Edit: oops too slow @gcr0003 beat me to it

I think GC is right about it depending on the deer. If they have already smelled traces of you or are cautious and feeding they are likely to jump. If they are just strolling in slow and not aware that you are there I really think you can get away with a lot more. I’m not proud of it but I shot 2 deer starting out because so many people told me to shoot low to avoid them jumping the string. Neither even flinched and my arrow went right under their chest lol!

I’m curious how it’ll work out with this being my first year hunting full on traditional. I plan to be closer to the deer but I’ll be shooting a slower and heavier arrow. Probably aim for bottom 1/3 at an angle from a treestand.

 

[Jtaylor]

I been doing this for some time now cept I leave the arrow in the target each day to show progress over time. Think I'm getting better and better!
View attachment 71193

I'd probably have to send one over to the clown fish on the jumper just for fun..

 

[NMSbowhunter]

Question....when u guys are shooting at live action animals do u aim where the animal is currently in space and time or do u compensate for "string jump" and adjust aim point for where u think the aim point will end up....

Personally I compensate ....quick rabbit deer and slow projectile so I aim below where I want to hit.

I don't know if that's correct thing to do or not but based off my misses in the past and the ones I have managed to hit that seems like the right course of action

I think the safest shot to go for is a low heart shot. That way if they drop you should get them through the lungs. If they don't drop you get a heart shot. I had a buck broadside at 12 yards and looking at me when I hit full draw two season's back. I was on the ground, and he was looking dead at me, and I just knew he would drop the instant I let the string go so I aimed under his armpit behind the front leg. I assumed this is where his vitals would be when the arrow got there. He didn't twitch and the arrow sailed right under his body, just where I was aiming. You just never know.

I have also had seemingly calm deer swap ends so fast you wouldn't believe it.