Off season Practice regiment

[SAJ-99]

Anyone have thoughts on how to develop a good practice regiment? Typically mine looks like this
20yds - 4arrows
30yds - 4
45yds - 2sets x 4
35 yds - 4

If I am at the range I move from 45 to 60 then down to 50. 35 and 50 are between pins, so I like to practice to gauge how high over I need to adjust. I start getting tired at about 30 to 40 arrows and get a little itchy on the trigger. I wonder if it is better to mix it up and start at 45. then go to 30, 20, and 35. It is not like you get to practice before the money shot on an animal, so I have been thinking about varying it up to get comfortable shooting cold at different distances. Might be overthinking it. Any thoughts?

 

[El Jason]

I like to start with a cold shot at longer ranges. Also different positions.

 

[golfer]

Once my pins are set and sight tapes are figured out I start most days at 60 or 70. Practice shooting the longer distances so 60 and under are easier.

 

[2rocky]

A Field and Hunter Round are 112 arrows on 28 targets. So there is something to be said for developing some endurance.

You can recreate the distances on your target butt at home.

I like uneven range practice to work on my pin gap aiming. Like the Hunter round distances.

Another option is the Redding Shoot Dot Sizes for the Distances

 

[JohnCushman]

I usually do 1 arrow at each pin set for my compound with the arrows numbered to see where I need to work more. Then I'll concentrate on that distance for a few arrows. I don't take very many shots because when you get a shot in real life on an animal you're not going to be all loose and ready after a dozen arrows. So, I try to stick to a more realistic muscle memory situation. For my recurve I go back in 5 yard increments in different positions back to 20. 20 is my self imposed shot limit on an animal with it, so I do my shots and then shoot a few at my 3D target to end the day. I swap every other day from compound to recurve so I'm not shooting too much in any given day.

 

[dgc1963]

Im very boring I shoot abt 6 arrows at different distances 20 to 50 yrds daily just to keep the muscle memory
a bit later in the yr I start only shooting 50 ,60 or 70 yrds still only 6 arrows then some 90 to 100 yrd shots
Imo no need to shot any more just enought keep muscles loose and keep my shooting mechanical

 

[Bob-WY]

I have a block with spots on it and a 3D deer. 3 arrow groups, working 20-60 on the block, then 60-20 on the deer.

 

[2rocky]

If you have the room, I like having 2 targets on opposite ends at the max distance and shoot both directions. It maximizes my shooting time and in the evening gives me cross winds and light from both directions.

If you have a hill you can add a third target to make a triangle to get up and downhill as well.

In the winter I would set up a Vegas 3 spot in the calving barn with a worklight shining on it and shoot Vegas rounds after dinner. The hardest thing to do is shoot a perfect 3x round time after time after time. Good mental practice.

 

[SAJ-99]

Great stuff. Thanks for the opinions. I think I am definitely going to switch it up and shoot longer first. I am a little surprised by people who only shoot 5-10 shots. It takes me 5 to get warmed up. First five are warmup, next 15-20 are for form and aim, and the last 5-10 are for focus because I'm a little tired. When I hunt I bring one of those rubber band workout pieces and stretch out while the jetboil heats my water, just to get the blood flowing. Maybe father time is catching up with me on that aspect.
I also shoot the local archery course which might be 3 x 20, so more time, varying distances, and just more realistic. Later in the summer move to non-traditional shots like kneeling. The offseason is just sooooo long.

 

[buck137]

I shoot everyday, first arrow is almost always a longer distance shot, our range is 10 to 100 yards. I'll start out at 60, and shoot probably 12 arrows at that distance, then I'll vary the distances from there, all total, probably shoot at least 50 arrows a day. During the winter though, I'll shoot in the basement or at the local archery shop, and I try to shoot 25 arrows a day.

 

[JohnCushman]

I still shoot outside all year, even in the winter. I'll put on my normal winter gear and shoot to see if anything needs to be tweeked. I also like to see my arrow deflection in the wind to see my max distance in different velocities.

 

[SAJ-99]

I still shoot outside all year, even in the winter. I'll put on my normal winter gear and shoot to see if anything needs to be tweeked. I also like to see my arrow deflection in the wind to see my max distance in different velocities.

Have you found any difference in your bow in cold weather?

 

[JohnCushman]

Have you found any difference in your bow in cold weather?

Not so far. I keep my bow in my mud room that isn't insulated really well, so I'm not 'shocking' the bow coming outside from 70 to 40 degrees. Plus, my weather is crazy all winter. One day will be 45 and then the next day 70. So I find keeping the bow close to the outside weather helps tremendously. I will say the bow seems a bit louder when it's in the 30's and 40's. I also put a tad bit of graphite on the rest moving parts on my drop down.

 

[GlockZ]

I try my best to shoot every other day, depending on my schedule, which usually ends up being once or twice a week. I use various distances and positions to shoot , ( standing, seated, etc.). Nothing fancy, just 3-6 arrows and I'm done. Then I analyze my shooting, and try to make improvements next time out. I also shoot a few local 3-D tournaments, don't care for points, or winning anything, just care about shooting form, from different positions. I can honestly say doing this has improved my shooting, much more confident at longer ranges as well, typically my shots while hunting are between 20-30 yards, but I have successfully made shots out to as far 45 yards. I've scouted a some new hunting ground, with some wide open shots, so maybe I'll see a personal best longest shot yet.

 

[AggieHunter]

I am starting to get into a more consistent regiment, but just still focusing on building strength after upgrading my bow. When it was open I had started doing a 3d course every weekend, but then that kinda got shut down.

 

[2rocky]

Where was the thread talking about a "Cold Shot Challenge?" I've started doing a single arrow shot on my 18-1 as I head to my home range. Gotta really bear down at 60!

 

[golfer]

Where was the thread talking about a "Cold Shot Challenge?" I've started doing a single arrow shot on my 18-1 as I head to my home range. Gotta really bear down at 60!

That was on Rokslide.

 

[2rocky]

This picture from the other night really explains why I like practicing shooting between the pins.

Left side was gap shooting between 50 and 60 yards..Like 53 I think.

Then I backed up to 60 and stacked 3 arrows. All because i had a point to solidly aim at. Those were 10 CM dots

 

[Ajax2744]

I shoot 100-200 arrows a day. Especially during quarantine. If it's a day of target or 3d I'll start at 20 for 2 or 3 ends. Then go shoot. If I'm just practicing then ill move out to 60 or 70 and shoot most of my practice at that distance and then end the day at 100 for a few ends. But I will also spend 1 or 2 days a week without a sight just blank bail shooting in the garage for a few hours while I have the TV on. Good way to focus on your shot process without worrying about aiming.