How Often Do You Practice?

[paleoman]

#3166

I read all the time about constant practice. Off season (like now), if there is such a thing, I manage only 2 or 3 backyard sessions a week. Come late Aug and Sept I try 4 or 5 times a week. I have good sessions and some so so but nothing much ever changes! I know no other trad hunters personally to compare with. How often do you shoot and does it make a big difference or do you reach the point of diminishing returns? I think I’m in a rut:)

[Don Thomas]

#17122

Not enough, to be honest. Used to be, it didn’t matter. Now it does. I’m turning over a new leaf. Don

[David Petersen]

#17138

Don — I was just wondering recently the origin of the “new leaf” saying, which I recall as long ago as first grade, when my teacher was always telling me that. (Didn’t work :P).

My practice has been seriously disrupted for months now from falling from a tree. Maybe that’s what’s wrong with my memory too!

[Ralph]

#17262

I shoot some nearly everyday because first, I can being retired and second, because I love to shoot. It may be a problem at times though because I get to playing with different bows, different types of arrow shafts, glove, tab, etc. But closer to hunting season I settle into two bows with hunting set up and stick with that.

The practice sometimes may consist of only 1,2,3 arrows though. A one shot group at an animal is what counts. 105 deg. here today so practice was short and sweet.

I do think one can hit a complacency zone and seemingly go backwards rather than forwards. Then I think it’s good to go somewhere besides your normal practice place if possible and dink around. Go stumping, or something. Environmental change can be helpful (not the glacier melting type).

Just for a difference I might spend a whole practice session shooting from my knees or sitting on a bucket or shooting from off top of my picnic table to break the monotony of same shot, same dot. Never give up!!! Throw a tennis ball out in the yard and tag it with blunts. Variety!

[wildschwein]

#17696

As often as possible. 1 hour a day is what I prefer when I can devote the time.

[gfredasbell]

#17837

I went through a period of minimal practice and my shooting, specifically my strength, went downhill. I am sure, for me, the more I practice the better I shoot. And as I age I can see that a fella has to stay after it consistently or you quickly lose shooting strength, and that it is seeming harder and harder to recover from the layoff. We all talk about going down in bow weight, which I have done, but in fairly short order that seems just as hard to pull as the previous weight did…so I’m fighting hard not to need to go down anymore, and that equates to more practice. gfa

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#17913

I try to shoot at least 4-5 times a week, outside as much as possible, but when weather doesn’t allow for that, I’m inside, in my buddy’s 10-yard basement range. Inside work is to focus primarily on form. Outside is to shoot at a variety of distances, angles, etc. And I always shoot with exactly the same setup I hunt with.

[Raymond Coffman]

#18003

I mostly practice daily – even on the road [ when possible ].

my backyard is a steep canyon. It has 60yds+ of straight range, and I have a number of tgts set in the hills to allow slope shooting and thru trees/between branches in 10 -30yd bracket.

I only shoot one-two arrows, then move my position at least a step or two. Since I am first [and foremost] a BowHunter I practice with my Bows in their Hunting format– as the season approaches I try to shoot twice a day { some kneeling/sitting} and get in some roving “stump” shooting.

Scout

[lyagooshka]

#18028

If I could add another element to the discussion: aside from how OFTEN do you practice, how LONG do you practice? I’m not sure it this is just me or something others have experienced, but I sometimes get a “runner’s high” during my practices (which are about 2 times a week, hopefully more with the new bow). By this I mean that I can shoot e few arrows as a “warm up” and be relatively consistent and then follow that with a short practice with equal results. Then, everything goes south and I wonder if I am just tired or have shot a bit more than I should have. Lately, I have “worked through” the inconsistencies and noticed there is a point (at times) when I get back to my original consistency. So, how much is too much and how much is not enough, and how can you tell what works for you?

Alex

🙂

[Raymond Coffman]

#18056

iyagooshka —

for me – that depends.

if I am having a good day and on [ in the zone]I may shoot for an hour or so, doing different drills.

If I am off [for whatever reason -feeling poorly etc] I will only shoot a few from about 15yds and stop. I prefer not to ingrain bad habits if having a poor day.

most ups & downs are caused by lack of concentration/not staying focused on the shot.

The first shot from any distance/position is what you would do in the field! – most important — when you can guaranty that shot! 1st time from any position you would shoot at game in the field [ haha] your practice regimen is perfect. A continuing work in progress for me.

I shoot my last shots of the day from 15yds as perfectly as I can, for form.

Scout

[lyagooshka]

#18069

Scout,

Great point about the first shot. I never really thought of it that way. Definitely gives me something to think about each time at the range. Thanks!

Alex

🙂

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#18076

If I’m shooting poorly, I usually try to differentiate between whether it’s because I’m truly tired, or if my form is getting sloppy. If it’s the former, I’ll just put the bow away and go do something else. But if it’s the latter, I try to slow down and problem solve, rather than quit. When I can figure it out, and get my shooting back up to where I want it, I’ve learned (or re-learned) something, and it feels good to have figured it out.

[Raymond Coffman]

#18086

Iya —

For me 1st shot is most important, but I will, a lot of times shoot a 2nd or third from the same position, especially if a difficult shot/problem, to make sure it wasn’t just luck [haha] and hopefully get the synapes to memorize that set up–

Smithhammer –

you bet on the problem solving — I try to do the same — however at least in my case the problem– usually ends up being failure to hold a steady bow arm and /or poor release [plucking]

Scout

[paleoman]

#18186

As far as how long, if I’m where I want to be in the 1st few shots I tend to leave it right there. That helps my confidence to do well “cold” since it’s the reality out in the bushes.

[ksbowman]

#18251

I shoot every day unless I’m sick. Somewhere between 25-35 arrows. Mainly just to keep the muscles toned and to make sure I in tune.

[WICanner]

#18865

Off season, I try to shoot every other day. During hunting season, it’s a struggle to get myself to shoot, as I instead try to get out hunting. I can deer/rabbit/squirrel hunt right out my back door, so a 1/2 hour hunt after work or before is possible.

[skifrk]

#19058

Since I am not where I can shoot everyday I try and practice form with a stretch band to groove the correct form in my muscle memory

[Wexbow]

#21307

Not often enough but about 3 times a week. Sometimes form practice on the back lawn or sometimes roving through the fields surrounding my house.

The other evening I was working really hard on my form and everything was feeling right but my shots were drifting – I was so concentrated on form that I had switched off the target! Once I started boring my eyes through the dot again everything came together – repeat after me, PICK A SPOT, STUPID!!! 😛

[David Coulter]

#21431

I shoot almost every day unless it’s a downpour. I’m lucky, my dog has to have a nice walk in the woods early before the rest of the family wakes, so I’m out stumping along the way. Physically, I’m getting more consistent. My shots are tighter. The big hurdle for me it more mental. Picking a spot, a really small spot, and sticking with it. It’s much easier to think, shoot the center of that stump, and let it fly. It’ll hit near the center, but not necessarily the spot I didn’t pick. The more I concentrate on a point, the better I shoot. But that’s the hard work of archery, at least for me. dwcphoto

[Author]

Posts