• The SH Membership has gone live. Only SH Members have access to post in the classifieds. All members can view the classifieds. Starting in 2020 only SH Members will be admitted to the annual hunting contest. Current members will need to follow these steps to upgrade: 1. Click on your username 2. Click on Account upgrades 3. Choose SH Member and purchase.
  • We've been working hard the past few weeks to come up with some big changes to our vendor policies to meet the changing needs of our community. Please see the new vendor rules here: Vendor Access Area Rules

Practice routine

Jay_Disarray

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Joined
Oct 7, 2019
Messages
1,950
Location
MN
Does anyone have a routine that they practice to improve and maintain archery skills?

I don't have set days I do them but I shoot 3 arrows 4 times at 20, 40, 35, and 30 yds (my maximum shooting range is 40yds)

I take breaks in between sets and when I start to notice wobble or difficulty holding
 
I've been shooting bows for over 45 years now. My form is what it is now, good or bad, but at least its consistent. I don't shoot anywhere near what I used to shoot but I try to shoot 16-20 arrows three days a week at my 25 yd target as much to keep my drawing shoulder loose and in shape as anything else. I really don't take shots much over 30 yds anyway so that should keep me in shooting shape and help bolster my confidence for the season.
 
My typical routine is 3 arrows at a time at 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, and 100 then go back down and shoot 10 more or so at 30 or 40. My sight is calibrated out to 100 and I've noticed practicing consistently at these distances that the 20 to 30 yards shots that I take at whitetails seems second nature. Aim small miss small. This is just me and not for everyone, but I've found it helps my concentration and steadiness.
 
In addition to range practice, I have really enjoyed working on my release execution with a homemade shot trainer while working at my desk. Mine is simple—string, 550 cord, and a handmade bow handle (fashioned after Nock On’s bow trainer). I’ve found that to be very helpful and a nice mini mental break throughout the work day.
 
I try to shoot my bow everyday year round. I can shoot 20 yards in my basement so weather is never a factor. When I shoot outdoors in my yard I try to stay between 15 to 30 yards. I try to shoot 3 to 12 arrows every day. The closer it gets to opening day I like to do a single ”cold shot” 5 to 10 times a day. The “cold shot“ process is taking a single shot at various yardages with no warm up. After the shot I wait at least an hour before taking another shot. I feel it simulates the hunting situation.
 
Not as diligent as I used to be but I will try to shoot point blank, eyes closed 5-10 shots concentrating on anchor, release, and follow through once a week. Every other weekend I'll climb up and shoot 1 shot.....I figure that all I'll get while hunting... gotta make it count.
I'm over just hammering arrows from known distance standing on the ground.....I kinda equate shooting the bow to riding a bike...once u got it, it's always there.
Maybe I just lazy but when its 95 degrees with 100% humidity it's hard to get motivated.
The last couple weeks before season opens I'll fully gear up and climb and shoot like a little mock hunt to make sure the whole systems still running smooth....also go over all the gear making sure everything in good condition....check over ropes, look for unraveling stitches, tighten bolts, etc.
Another thing I like to do is shoot into cover....most every shot I've ever had while on the ground at an animal it's in thick cover...I'll make it to were the vitals on the target will be covered up by palmetto and I have to visualize the aim point and shoot through stuff.
 
I run a league that combines known and unknown distances on 2d and 3d animals. It is fun but only shot 1 time per month and averages around 30 yards.

So weekly I shoot a sequence from 70 down to 20. Doing it that way makes every shot a focused shot. The long ones I am focusing on form, the later (closer) shots I am focusing on overcoming fatigue.

I am looking to add an element of "buck fever" into the league or practice by doing some physical activity between ends. Maybe pushups or jog in place? Does anyone do something like that?
/Stags

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk
 
I run a league that combines known and unknown distances on 2d and 3d animals. It is fun but only shot 1 time per month and averages around 30 yards.

So weekly I shoot a sequence from 70 down to 20. Doing it that way makes every shot a focused shot. The long ones I am focusing on form, the later (closer) shots I am focusing on overcoming fatigue.

I am looking to add an element of "buck fever" into the league or practice by doing some physical activity between ends. Maybe pushups or jog in place? Does anyone do something like that?
/Stags

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk
25 yard sprint down and back 10 push ups then shoot a arrow is how I do it when prepping for Canada trips. As summer goes I make my sprints longer and shots farther

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk
 
I try and shoot at least twice a week at 40 yards, shoot until my form suffers or I tire out. If I can't get out I blank bail in the basement but I also throw not releasing an arrow, just letting down. This helps me get over release jitters. Sometimes I get like a kid at a lego store.
 
I spend the summer shooting my recurve. It keeps my ego in check and my basic archery skills sharp. Very easy transition back to the compound in the fall. Similar to shooting rimfire all summer so you are a better shot on your deer rifle. Saves my shoulders on both occasions.
 
I kill nuisance animals for green houses and farms i live around. Anything from squirrels to kill permits for deer. I get to arrow groundhogs in the middle of town. Other than that I'll let a few fly in the evenings anywhere from 35 to 110yards. If I leave the arrows in the target that evening I will collect and sling a few in the morning
 
So I always hear the saying "practice like you hunt"

If i have no intention of shooting at a deer past say 30, what advantages are there to practicing at beyond like 40?

That would give me a bit of leeway with my distance if i do stretch it out a bit beyond 30 even if i have no intention of shooting that far
 
So I always hear the saying "practice like you hunt"

If i have no intention of shooting at a deer past say 30, what advantages are there to practicing at beyond like 40?

That would give me a bit of leeway with my distance if i do stretch it out a bit beyond 30 even if i have no intention of shooting that far
Shooting at longer ranges really brings even the most minor form/execution flaws to light, and it also makes the 20 and 30 yard shots feel like chip shots instead of “edge of my range” shots. 35-40 yards is my max shooting range for an animal (and even then the conditions would need to be perfect), but I practice out to 65, which is the farthest I can shoot at my house. I mostly practice at 30-40 yards, but I stretch it out to 50+ every few sessions to test myself.
 
I haven’t shot a bow since January. Once I start shooting it will be almost every day from an elevated position. Usually just a dozen shots from a single distance but I’ll work my way around a ring of steps shooting at one target. Next day I’ll repeat with the target at a different distance. If there is a shot that I’m struggling with I may shoot an extra dozen arrows but rarely climb down them up again in one session.
 
Blank bale in my basement three times a week on the really cold "off" months and at least once a week during hunting / practice season. Since I use an index release, the blank bale not only helps with maintaining the consistency of my shot procedure, but when I close my eyes prior to release and practice pulling through the shot it tends to reinforce better form and helps reduce target panic. I try to hit the 3d range at least once a week, varying the distances and angles. I also try to hit a flat range maybe once every two weeks, shooting 4-8 arrows at 20, 30 and 40 yards and using the same broadheads I'll hunt with. I'll start to incorporate shooting from the saddle / platform within the next week, about 6 weeks out from our opener.
 
I shoot intermittently when I feel like it or have the time. In the winter I shoot a little bit in my basement to tune and just practice my form and shot execution. I also like shooting my recurves instinctively because its more fun (at the limited distance in my basement) then the compound and keeps some of my relevant shooting muscles in check. I agree that shooting from double your "typical" hunting range during your outdoor practice routines makes the 20 and 30 yard shots seem like child's play. You really begin to understand how important your form is from draw, release and the ever important follow through. It really helps me with tendencies toward target panic as well. Sight pin movement at smaller, longer distance targets is exaggerated and so you truly begin to rely on visualization and proper form to make decent shots. I strongly suggest incorporating longer distance shooting into your regular practice routine. Shooting out of your saddle at hunting height is also important if you're imparting new gear into your hunting setups. Try them out long ahead of season. If you can attend a few 3D shoots at unknown distances AND "DART" Indoor video scenario shooting practice, these are also excellent hunting season prep. For newer archers I really like how the video shooting helps with shot timing. There is no better practice than simulated live animals in terms of when you see the animal and get ready, aim and then prepare for the shot. It creates a hurried atmosphere much like the deer woods. Now, this does nothing for range estimation training but if you practice at a few 3d shoots and a few of these video league type places a few times before season these do really help with many of the issues you will face in the saddle but cannot replicate just shooting known distances at a target face. Finally, get some judo points or blunt tips the same weight as your broadheads and go "range roving" in the woods. I like to do this in the summer on woodchucks but they usually win that game. An old rotted stump, a clump of dirt, a leaf turning red or yellow, just any soft target at unknown distance helps a lot with range estimation too. Finally, if you have one, take your rangefinder out with you when you're going on these "woods walks" with your bow. But, don't use it to take your shot, practice range estimation at the unknown targets, then shoot your shot what you estimated it to be and then test the range you estimated with your rangefinder. This really helps build range estimation skills. This is a fun way, especially for newer bowhunters getting into the sport to build your archery skill sets.
 
Back
Top