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One shot, everyone knows the rules!

Bumping this one... Going to start shooting a single "cold shot" a few times a week, separate from my regular practice sessions. Here was tonight's shot from about 15 yards kneeling, in fading light, with my Saint Patrick Lake ASL. Not where I wanted to put that arrow, but September is a long way away...

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One thing that I want to incorporate this year is taking my one shot and many more shots from the tree, in my saddle, just like I’m hunting. There’s no good substitution for shooting elevated from a tree saddle. In past years I’ve shot some from the tree some but far less than I would have liked. I’m not sure what the easiest, safest, and fastest way to do this would be. Getting the saddle and platform out and hauling up the bow every time will be a hassle but Im convinced it will do me better than the flat shooting I currently do, especially with a traditional bow.
 
One thing that I want to incorporate this year is taking my one shot and many more shots from the tree, in my saddle, just like I’m hunting. There’s no good substitution for shooting elevated from a tree saddle. In past years I’ve shot some from the tree some but far less than I would have liked. I’m not sure what the easiest, safest, and fastest way to do this would be. Getting the saddle and platform out and hauling up the bow every time will be a hassle but Im convinced it will do me better than the flat shooting I currently do, especially with a traditional bow.
Build a ladder into your shooting tree.
I'm using my daughters old tree house just 10' up and my cousin/landlord allowed me to cut a few branches on our 1 spruce tree in the yard so I can take 30 yard shots.
It really is a different feel with balance, vertigo, and branches in your way.
 
Bumping this one... Going to start shooting a single "cold shot" a few times a week, separate from my regular practice sessions. Here was tonight's shot from about 15 yards kneeling, in fading light, with my Saint Patrick Lake ASL. Not where I wanted to put that arrow, but September is a long way away...

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That's a great idea for a mobile target
 
One thing that I want to incorporate this year is taking my one shot and many more shots from the tree, in my saddle, just like I’m hunting. There’s no good substitution for shooting elevated from a tree saddle. In past years I’ve shot some from the tree some but far less than I would have liked. I’m not sure what the easiest, safest, and fastest way to do this would be. Getting the saddle and platform out and hauling up the bow every time will be a hassle but Im convinced it will do me better than the flat shooting I currently do, especially with a traditional bow.
I set up a 20 foot ladder stick and a ring of steps above it out back for elevated practice. I have a tether and everything set aside just for that purpose.
 

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One thing that I want to incorporate this year is taking my one shot and many more shots from the tree, in my saddle, just like I’m hunting. There’s no good substitution for shooting elevated from a tree saddle. In past years I’ve shot some from the tree some but far less than I would have liked. I’m not sure what the easiest, safest, and fastest way to do this would be. Getting the saddle and platform out and hauling up the bow every time will be a hassle but Im convinced it will do me better than the flat shooting I currently do, especially with a traditional bow.

I have an old ladder stand permanently set up with a furniture bracket ROS set up above it. I picked up a Notch saddle when they were super cheap and keep it and a tether hanging in my garage. It makes it pretty effortless and quick to grab everything and climb up to take a few shots a couple times a week.
 
That's a great idea for a mobile target
Thanks. Inspired by a buck I missed last October from embarrassingly close, on the ground with my compound after putting him on high alert trying to get him to stop. The way my shot process works with a compound kind of requires a stationary target... Next time one comes slow walking by at 7 yards, the plan is to have a longbow in my hands and shoot him walking.
 
Thanks. Inspired by a buck I missed last October from embarrassingly close, on the ground with my compound after putting him on high alert trying to get him to stop. The way my shot process works with a compound kind of requires a stationary target... Next time one comes slow walking by at 7 yards, the plan is to have a longbow in my hands and shoot him walking.

Another fun way to practice shooting moving targets is to duct tape a balloon in the center of a car tire and roll it down a hill. It's even better when you have kids you can make carry it back up to the top and roll it down again. :)
 
One thing that I want to incorporate this year is taking my one shot and many more shots from the tree, in my saddle, just like I’m hunting. There’s no good substitution for shooting elevated from a tree saddle. In past years I’ve shot some from the tree some but far less than I would have liked. I’m not sure what the easiest, safest, and fastest way to do this would be. Getting the saddle and platform out and hauling up the bow every time will be a hassle but Im convinced it will do me better than the flat shooting I currently do, especially with a traditional bow.
I dont disagree but for me personally with the stickbow, a good bit of flat shooting with absolute focus on clean shot execution is just as if not more important. I feel all I really get out of elevated shooting is the sight picture from that position. That is important but to me not more important that consistently executing a clean shot with as good of form as I can muster. Kind of a 1a and 1c for me.
 
I dont disagree but for me personally with the stickbow, a good bit of flat shooting with absolute focus on clean shot execution is just as if not more important. I feel all I really get out of elevated shooting is the sight picture from that position. That is important but to me not more important that consistently executing a clean shot with as good of form as I can muster. Kind of a 1a and 1c for me.
Marksmanship practice and scenarios both have a huge amount of value. There's no either/or. Scenarios might be more fun but you can't ignore the fundamentals.
 
I dont disagree but for me personally with the stickbow, a good bit of flat shooting with absolute focus on clean shot execution is just as if not more important. I feel all I really get out of elevated shooting is the sight picture from that position. That is important but to me not more important that consistently executing a clean shot with as good of form as I can muster. Kind of a 1a and 1c for me.
Fair enough but what I’m saying is shooting on flat ground with excellent form doesnt mean a hill of beans if I can’t maintain that form while twisting like a pretzel, while swinging from the saddle, while pivoting on one leg. What I found is my form and shot struggled when I got in certain positions. Even the elevated shooting I had done in the past were at seemingly simple and comfortable positions that mimicked ground shooting posture if that makes sense. I need more time to iron out all the positions we find ourselves in while saddle hunting. I’ll still do plenty of ground shooting because it’s quick and easy but I know that I need to greatly improve on elevated shooting since that is where the money shots happen for me hunting.
 
Especially getting closer to season, one cold Turkey shot in the morning from the saddle from hunting height is about as real as it gets. It’s gonna be the difference for me folks. You can take that to the bank. Lol
 
One thing that I want to incorporate this year is taking my one shot and many more shots from the tree, in my saddle, just like I’m hunting. There’s no good substitution for shooting elevated from a tree saddle. In past years I’ve shot some from the tree some but far less than I would have liked. I’m not sure what the easiest, safest, and fastest way to do this would be. Getting the saddle and platform out and hauling up the bow every time will be a hassle but Im convinced it will do me better than the flat shooting I currently do, especially with a traditional bow.

Eat your hat and get a ladder stand.
 
Eat your hat and get a ladder stand.
I found 6 screw in steps so I’ll probably just pick up a couple more and use them. I did want to use my actual saddle and actual platform to get the most accurate foot placement but that fix will probably tear up a tree after repeated use. I digress, I should be back to shooting soon. It ain’t gonna be pretty.
 
Fair enough but what I’m saying is shooting on flat ground with excellent form doesnt mean a hill of beans if I can’t maintain that form while twisting like a pretzel, while swinging from the saddle, while pivoting on one leg. What I found is my form and shot struggled when I got in certain positions. Even the elevated shooting I had done in the past were at seemingly simple and comfortable positions that mimicked ground shooting posture if that makes sense. I need more time to iron out all the positions we find ourselves in while saddle hunting. I’ll still do plenty of ground shooting because it’s quick and easy but I know that I need to greatly improve on elevated shooting since that is where the money shots happen for me hunting.
100% agree. I have certainly been caught in bad positions trying to make a shot and took some of those early on. Luckily they were clean misses. Before I really had a good understanding of getting in proper body alignment, I tried a couple shots where I was at anchor but I was in no where close to good alignment. I could tell from muscle tension that something was off but I was at anchor and let the shot fly. The result was shots that were short drawn even though I was at anchor. Because of body position being out of alignment I was not reaching my full draw. I just dont take those shots now. That is where the practice you are talking about matters. Learning how to position on the tree with the saddle so that you can get your torso in proper alignment is imo key to making those less than perfect shots. It's a great point you brought up and one folks should definitely consider and practice. You dont even have to shoot an arrow on every draw and in reality probably shouldnt. Pick a spot around the tree where a shot could occur, get into position and then draw. Evaluate if you are in good alignment and can reach full draw not anchor. If not play with positioning for that shot until you get there, then take the shot.
 
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