Keeping it fun!

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#4688

Stumping in the woods is by far my favorite form of practice – every shot can be different, there are no ‘set’ distances and the targets are always changing.

But sometimes I just want to get a quick backyard practice session in, and since I’m someone who tends to get bored doing the same thing all the time, I’m always looking for ways to mix it up and challenge myself.

So here’s a little vid of a few of the things I do to break out of the static rut of, “stand in front of the target at “x” number of yards, in a perfect practice position, and shoot the same shot over and over.”

In the 1st segment, I’m doing something that I just started playing around with today for the first time – draw on a target about 45 deg. off of the actual target, hold at full draw, rotate my upper body only and then shoot. Obviously good practice for hunting shots where you need to rotate without moving your feet, also good practice for acquiring a target quickly and making the shot happen. 2 out of 3 shoots were ok…8)

2nd segment – I’m standing on a stump just big enough for my feet, and not all that stable. I like this for the focus and balance I need to have when the stump is moving underneath me, and because it gets me out of my typical foot stance.

3rd segment – shooting between two obstacles in front of the target. Really good practice for focusing on what you want to hit, rather than what you want to avoid.

http://youtu.be/2ZsCyeNx9Yc

So what do you to keep break out of static target practice and keep it fun?

[Col Mike]

#32940

Bruce

Great video and nice shooting. Like you stumping is my favorite–across the street got 850 acres of county land (where we run the dogs) lots of hills so good workout in addition to the shooting fun. In our back 6 acres have some straw bails placed on the trails that make for some fun shooting. Plus a nice backstop that allows for some long range shooting without spending time looking for arrows.

Also use that hammock seat just like when your hunting, you need to practice from it.

I usually do my yoga poses on the stump then shoot standing on one leg in a “swan” pose.:D And Just to keep it fun there is a cold beverage at the finish:lol:

Mike

[Ralph]

#32953

You know this yoga pose yet? 😀

Cool video Bruce.

[Col Mike]

#32987

R2

Wonder what she uses for an anchor point and where does she get that toe tab–being a glove man myself think I’ll pass on this alternative.8) Where the heck do you get these?

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#32990

colmike wrote: R2

Wonder what she uses for an anchor point…

I was wondering the same thing, but not sure if I should ask. 8)

My only critique of her form is that she has a bit of a high knee – not in line with the arrow…

[Col Mike]

#33015

Smithhammer wrote: [quote=colmike]R2

Wonder what she uses for an anchor point…

I was wondering the same thing, but not sure if I should

My only critique of her form is that she has a bit of a high knee – not in line with the arrow…

High knee–what about low sight picture:lol:

[Stephen Graf]

#33537

Listen boys, I want you to lay that pistol down! I mean it, I am not kidding. No really, lay that pistol down now! Pistol down, down pistol… Now I will have that crap in my head all morning…

As for the girl with the bow, well I’ve seen that floating around before. I’ve been trying to come up with some good fatherly advice for my son as he enters his late teens. I wasn’t making any progress advising him about what sort of women might make a good mate. So I showed him the picture and told him if he could find a girl that could do this, to try and keep her 😀

[bruc]

#33786

Great video !!

Really like that tune !!

Bruce

[Ralph]

#35204

Weren’t we speaking of shooting in the wind on another thread?

I can see a definite problem for that young lady.

Where’s her quiver:lol:

[Ralph]

#36409

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rP4tVwPa9M

Whoops on first shot, filmed myself yesterday and discovered me throwing bow arm at times like first shot here, not after that.

Trying to “dot” the eyes on the last two.

You Tube stuff interesting to play with. I hope!:D

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#36454

R2 wrote: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rP4tVwPa9M

Whoops on first shot, filmed myself yesterday and discovered me throwing bow arm at times like first shot here, not after that.

Trying to “dot” the eyes on the last two.

You Tube stuff interesting to play with. I hope!:D

I’d say that’s one very unhappy coon, Ralph! Good shooting.

I find that video’ing myself shooting is immensely helpful, and I frequently do it whenever my form seems to be lacking. There’s nothing like seeing yourself shoointg from an observer’s perspective, and I pick up on things that way that I wasn’t even aware I was doing.

I was actually thinking the other day about starting a separate thread where folks could post a short vid of their shooting form and invite constructive feedback. Whaddya think?

p.s. – if you use the “Share” link in the menu below your video on YouTube, it will automatically embed in your post here.

[Ralph]

#36463

Thanks, been sitting here trying to figure out how to keep extra off of things. Was gonna pm and find out.

Good idea on constructive critique idea.

You saw what I sent ya. Gotta quit throwing arm didn’t know I was uh.

[Col Mike]

#36786

R-2

Nice shooting, but the double tap starts with the head shot and then one to center of chest:D

Great video

Mike

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#36843

colmike wrote: R-2

Nice shooting, but the double tap starts with the head shot and then one to center of chest:D

[James Harvey]

#37098

R2 wrote: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rP4tVwPa9M

Whoops on first shot, filmed myself yesterday and discovered me throwing bow arm at times like first shot here, not after that.

Trying to “dot” the eyes on the last two.

You Tube stuff interesting to play with. I hope!:D

Great shooting Ralph! Love the audio you got in that too… fffffffffff…. thunk. Such an awesome sound 😀

[Ralph]

#37964

Who’d of thunk about the efficiency of 47# bow, 516 gr. arrow with only 245 gr. up front?

Maybe a 30 mph wind blowing across and catching the feathers like a sail would do that too? 😆

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#37968

Ha! Playin’ around with some wee fletching there, are ya? 8)

[Ralph]

#37976

They’re working good with carbons. Seems my 5″ work better with my wood shafts. Maybe because one can mess with more finesse dealing with spine when using carbon. Wood has limits and that’s why fletchings were invented.

[wojo14]

#38509

Cool thread guys.

Smith, I do the same thing at my place. I am not a stand at the target and shoot kinda guy!

I shoot different angles, elevated….you name it.

I love stumping as well, but unlike you guys, I have to drive at least 30 min to my hunting grounds to do so.

Unfortunately, I live in suburbia right now, but the little Miss and I are thinking of selling and moving away from people a little and having a little more property.

Mike, I cannot wait to do some stumping with you soon! I love the exercise, shooting practice and good company!

Do I need to get a hunting license to stump on public land?

You do in PA.

See ya Sunday at 0830.

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#38872

R2 wrote: They’re working good with carbons. Seems my 5″ work better with my wood shafts. Maybe because one can mess with more finesse dealing with spine when using carbon. Wood has limits and that’s why fletchings were invented.

Interesting observation, Ralph. I’ve never experimented with reduced fletching on wood shafts, so I’d never really thought about the fact that there might be a difference in how they behave in that regard, as opposed to carbon.

[Ralph]

#39111

Not really scientific Bruce but the added stability helps not only in archer error but in the nature of the beast for wood arrows.

Some seem to do fine with 3-4″, but since no two pieces of wood truly “flex” the same, to me the 3- 5″, if nothing else, is a confidence factor. If an arrow, or me, seems iffy with 4″ fletch, put 5″ on and be happy.

I’ve never been a big fan of 4 fletch, just me, but they’re working OK on the carbons. Why???

If you’re just an old bow shooter and have a system that works, have confidence in it, go for it.

But, I’m never too old to experiment and play with y’all youngn’s toys. 😀

[wojo14]

#39345

I am a wood arrow junkie!

I play and experiment with different cuts of feathers.

I am liking a 4″ trad cut feather with my woodies.

I chop a 5 1/2″ high back shield cut feather and cut 1″ from the rear.

It gives me a 4 1/4″ trad cut. Stabilizes the arrow very quick and cuts some weight in the rear.

But of course the arrow needs tuned good first. I bare shaft each wood arrow before Fletching. I make sure they fly great before the are feathered up!

I wish I could upload some pics, I would show you guys how they look.

They look pretty cool!8)

[ChumpMcgee]

#40122

I was trying to keep in fun in my backyard last night shoot my bow. I wanted to try out my GoPro for a few different shots, I put the GoPro right next to my target. As I drew my bow back my mind says “don’t hit the GoPro” what happens next…..I totally smoke the GoPro 😆 Sucks Yes…Funny HECK YES! Just a bummer that I lost a GoPro that is only a few months old…no way to repair it. Once I am able to get the video from it I will see if I can post it on here for everybody to laugh and enjoy 😀

[Ralph]

#40231

Can we giggle while we wait to laugh?

That’s tough man. We ought a be cryin.

[ChumpMcgee]

#40308

R2 wrote: Can we giggle while we wait to laugh?

That’s tough man. We ought a be cryin.

As soon as it happen I had the Oh **** moment, followed by a giant smile and laughter….I laughed when I realized that the thing was ruined and was not going to turn on every again….yes I was bummed too but no crying over split milk. I would have been more upset if I would have broken my arrow!

Lesson from last night….I need to shoot more arrows and focus more on the target. But on a positive note the GoPro is only a couple of inches long and tall….maybe it was a heck of a shot!

[Ralph]

#40421

Too bad you can’t salvage the pic of the last moments of it’s life.:) Or can you?

[Bruce Smithhammer]

#40426

T-roy wrote: I was trying to keep in fun in my backyard last night shoot my bow. I wanted to try out my GoPro for a few different shots, I put the GoPro right next to my target. As I drew my bow back my mind says “don’t hit the GoPro” what happens next…..I totally smoke the GoPro 😆 Sucks Yes…Funny HECK YES! Just a bummer that I lost a GoPro that is only a few months old…no way to repair it. Once I am able to get the video from it I will see if I can post it on here for everybody to laugh and enjoy 😀

[ChumpMcgee]

#40826

R2 wrote: Too bad you can’t salvage the pic of the last moments of it’s life.:) Or can you?

Smithhammer that is exactly how it went ha ha!

The memory card is still intact which is good. I can view all of the videos that were on the memory card except for the last video that recorded unfortunately. I have one more chance to view the video but it will require another GoPro.

I have my fingers crossed that I will be able to get that video….it was the first arrow that I shot so the video will not be very long

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