Let’s talk about your shot process…

[jpc01101]

While I was in Africa I had an opportunity to shoot a lot at animals. Just not something we really get here in the states. One thing I noticed is that the more excited I get the larger an area I aim at. I am very robotic about my draw and setting anchor points but I feel like I am worse about “aim small miss small” with a bow than I am with a gun even though I am way closer. I wonder if it is maybe because it’s close and I’m thinking “well how could I mess this up” and, honestly, it’s not like it cost me animals but it did cause me to hit way back in the lungs on an impala requiring a 2nd shot. What are some things you do to bring down the intensity and find a hair to focus on?

 

[kiwi hunter]

A white hair on a black animal or vice versa.
My last one wasnt the best effort either.

 

[Nick87]

While I was in Africa I had an opportunity to shoot a lot at animals. Just not something we really get here in the states. One thing I noticed is that the more excited I get the larger an area I aim at. I am very robotic about my draw and setting anchor points but I feel like I am worse about “aim small miss small” with a bow than I am with a gun even though I am way closer. I wonder if it is maybe because it’s close and I’m thinking “well how could I mess this up” and, honestly, it’s not like it cost me animals but it did cause me to hit way back in the lungs on an impala requiring a 2nd shot. What are some things you do to bring down the intensity and find a hair to focus on?

For me when I have those type of shots i chalk it up to the adrenaline especially when they're close and I've had to wait a long time for a shot and get a little more rattled. In which case its been a clean miss, thankfully.

 

[jimh406]

Practice on targets that don't have an aiming spot or any other mark. You can make your own out of cardboard or brown paper.

 

[JustinsDad]

I’m fairly new to archery, been a rifle hunter all my life. I have an archery range in my pasture and I’m getting good at 20, 30, and 40 yards with a compound bow. I don’t see me shooting at anything beyond 45 yards or so. It wouldn’t be ethical at this point. Do I just suck at archery?

 

[kiwi hunter]

I’m fairly new to archery, been a rifle hunter all my life. I have an archery range in my pasture and I’m getting good at 20, 30, and 40 yards with a compound bow. I don’t see me shooting at anything beyond 45 yards or so. It wouldn’t be ethical at this point. Do I just suck at archery?

Youre good to go, some day im tight and then all over the bloody place. As much as i want to go back to the rifle the old bow has me trapped, love it.

 

[jpc01101]

I’m fairly new to archery, been a rifle hunter all my life. I have an archery range in my pasture and I’m getting good at 20, 30, and 40 yards with a compound bow. I don’t see me shooting at anything beyond 45 yards or so. It wouldn’t be ethical at this point. Do I just suck at archery?

Sounds like you are making the right decisions. Too many people on YouTube shooting 80-90-100 yds at an animal and then trying to justify it. 45 is absolutely a fair outer limit for a good archery shot.

 

[cgasner1]

I try to think about where I want my arrow to exit the animal to help with a pass thru works well for me

 

[R.K.]

If you want to lock in on a single point, smaller than hell, then focus on your follow through.

Focus on every detail of your shot process- good footing, draw setup, draw, front arm/elbow, anchor point, second anchor point, back tension and rear elbow check, center sight housing in peep, release position. Then you lock in- everything is where it needs to be, so don't move it. And once everything is locked in, you can move it to background focus and start aiming.

Focus on the exact spot you want to hit, and then exit. Really focus on that spot. Imagine the follow through of your shot process- try to stay on target with your bow until the arrow hits. Watch the arrow with the intention of remembering exactly where the hit is, and at what angle.

 

[rogerthat]

I’m fairly new to archery, been a rifle hunter all my life. I have an archery range in my pasture and I’m getting good at 20, 30, and 40 yards with a compound bow. I don’t see me shooting at anything beyond 45 yards or so. It wouldn’t be ethical at this point. Do I just suck at archery?

This is normal. I don’t doubt and have seen the good shooters at distance but the reality for 99% of archery shooters are the ranges you describe and honestly for further shots GET A DIFFERENT WEAPON. You’re not an archery hunter. I’m sure that will ruffle some feathers but the truth hurts sometimes

 

[JustinsDad]

This is normal. I don’t doubt and have seen the good shooters at distance but the reality for 99% of archery shooters are the ranges you describe and honestly for further shots GET A DIFFERENT WEAPON. You’re not an archery hunter. I’m sure that will ruffle some feathers but the truth hurts sometimes

I don’t disagree with that. I’m going to keep practicing and see if I can reach out further but at this point I will stick to under 50 yards.

 

[JustinsDad]

Another couple of questions. I find that just for me personally I don’t like using practice arrowheads. I have to reset every pin anyway when I switch to broadheads. Their impact spot is several inches different than practice arrowheads so it’s a waste of time to me. Y’all have that outcome too? Both are 100 grain but broadheads land low and to the left where practice ones were spot on.

And I don’t think the hay bales I’m using are the best to back up your target. What do you guys use?

 

[Nick87]

Another couple of questions. I find that just for me personally I don’t like using practice arrowheads. I have to reset every pin anyway when I switch to broadheads. Their impact spot is several inches different than practice arrowheads so it’s a waste of time to me. Y’all have that outcome too? Both are 100 grain but broadheads land low and to the left where practice ones were spot on.

And I don’t think the hay bales I’m using are the best to back up your target. What do you guys use?

What broadhead are you using?

 

[shannerdrake]

I tend to blackout and punch the trigger.



BUT…..if I’m doing things right I repeat to myself “float and pull” for float the pin and pull through the shot.

 

[rogerthat]

Another couple of questions. I find that just for me personally I don’t like using practice arrowheads. I have to reset every pin anyway when I switch to broadheads. Their impact spot is several inches different than practice arrowheads so it’s a waste of time to me. Y’all have that outcome too? Both are 100 grain but broadheads land low and to the left where practice ones were spot on.

And I don’t think the hay bales I’m using are the best to back up your target. What do you guys use?

You need to tune your bow. For the distance your shooting, your broadheads, field points, and practice heads should impact at the same point with a proper tune. Look up broadhead tuning and follow the procedure very carefully as you will move your rest and possibly your nicking point to get to a proper tune. I like to do it with a big large fixed head when I do it as than I know everything else should be good to go

 

[R.K.]

Another couple of questions. I find that just for me personally I don’t like using practice arrowheads. I have to reset every pin anyway when I switch to broadheads. Their impact spot is several inches different than practice arrowheads so it’s a waste of time to me. Y’all have that outcome too? Both are 100 grain but broadheads land low and to the left where practice ones were spot on.

And I don’t think the hay bales I’m using are the best to back up your target. What do you guys use?

You need to broadhead tune your bow- paper tuning only gets you so close. Essentially your arrows are currently coming off the bow crooked, then grab air and plane off target. Broadheads grab more air than field points before the vanes can correct the flight, and travel further off target.

This is assuming that A- your nock point is properly centered and not moving, B- your arrows are properly spined, and C- your broadhead is spinning true.

Shoot a broadhead, then a field point (or two). Move your rest from the broadhead to the field point. Tiny amount. Very tiny. Like, mouse whisker thickness. Yes, you will have to sight in again unless you have a big enough target to not matter.

Then you shoot again. I start at 10 yards to make sure I don’t send one into the dirt, and sight in again. If they’re close, then start increasing distance. When you notice a difference in impact, then move the rest again.

This is one broadhead and two field points at 45 yards at the end of the process. Actually hit a nock on one of these.

 

[JustinsDad]

What broadhead are you using?

I’m shooting Wasp Drone broadheads

 

[JustinsDad]

You need to broadhead tune your bow- paper tuning only gets you so close. Essentially your arrows are currently coming off the bow crooked, then grab air and plane off target. Broadheads grab more air than field points before the vanes can correct the flight, and travel further off target.

This is assuming that A- your nock point is properly centered and not moving, B- your arrows are properly spined, and C- your broadhead is spinning true.

Shoot a broadhead, then a field point (or two). Move your rest from the broadhead to the field point. Tiny amount. Very tiny. Like, mouse whisker thickness. Yes, you will have to sight in again unless you have a big enough target to not matter.

Then you shoot again. I start at 10 yards to make sure I don’t send one into the dirt, and sight in again. If they’re close, then start increasing distance. When you notice a difference in impact, then move the rest again.

This is one broadhead and two field points at 45 yards at the end of the process. Actually hit a nock on one of these.

View attachment 382955

Dangit. You guys are surely right. That makes sense. The bow guy at Turners tuned it for me but he must have been off.

 

[R.K.]

Dangit. You guys are surely right. That makes sense. The bow guy at Turners tuned it for me but he must have been off.

Tuning is a personal thing, so nothing against the shop guy. Measurements get you part of the way there. Paper gets you closer. But broadheads reveal all.

Everybody has a different form and hold that effects arrow launch a bit. You’re tuning the bow to YOU, not just to factory suggestions.

And perfect arrow flight gets you better groups and better penetration- it’s never a bad idea to chase it. Good luck!

 

[JustinsDad]

Tuning is a personal thing, so nothing against the shop guy. Measurements get you part of the way there. Paper gets you closer. But broadheads reveal all.

Everybody has a different form and hold that effects arrow launch a bit. You’re tuning the bow to YOU, not just to factory suggestions.

And perfect arrow flight gets you better groups and better penetration- it’s never a bad idea to chase it. Good luck!

I found the right guy. Y’all were absolutely right. This guy got the broadheads landing right where the practice tips land. Like they should be. Now it’s just me that needs to get better. I have an elk hunt in Utah next week. Wish me luck and thanks you guys for all the advice