oldgun
Board Regular
Posts: 516
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Post by oldgun on Jul 18, 2008 12:03:16 GMT -5
I just started in the later part of April with any kind of a bow. I love my recurve and shot it every day. Now my ? if you were shooting and are able to stay within an 8 inch area with 7 at 30 yards would you go out deer hunting? It is always my first that is out side the area, the rest are fine. I know that buck fever hits me hard even with a rifle but I am able to over come it when I'm hunting. The real ? is what kind of groups are you people that have been shooting for years getting? I'm going anyways and will not shoot unless I feel good just wanted to know how others do. Thanks Oldgun
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Post by trap4life on Jul 18, 2008 21:34:36 GMT -5
oldgun I have been shooting a compound bow for about 25 years , I just started this year using a long bow. I havnt hunted with it yet , but I would suggest not taking shots over 20 yards to start out with , untill you get used to how a deer usually ducks when shot at and the mistakes one makes while all nerved up for the 1st time shooting at a live animal . I dont have any experience with live game with longbow but I do know how much slower it is than my compound so my first shot wont be more than 15 yards. That is just my opinion , but with 8" groups a deer can move just a tiny bit and you would be outside of the kill area. I would bet at 15 to 20 yard you would have much tighter groups.I am not saying that you are a bad shot by no means because that is about how accurate I am at 30 yards with long bow but I dont even practice much at that distance . I am just to nervous because of how slow my longbow seems , and I have seen deer duck a long ways with my compound shooting about 280 fps.
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oldgun
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Post by oldgun on Jul 19, 2008 4:54:44 GMT -5
Thanks Trap4life it was the reason to not wound an animal that I asked how everyone does is shot placement. It makes me nervous to think that I would cause an animal to suffer. I'm confident that I can shoot within 20 yards as long as everything goes well, ie. no ducking or jumping the string. As a new person to this sport I have not seen deer react as most of you say they do. Hopefully I,ll get a dumb one and will make a clean kill. Wish me luck!
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royden
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Post by royden on Jul 19, 2008 11:19:18 GMT -5
oldgun - that first shot is really important  have you tried a practice regime of only 1 shot for your session ( a few per day) for a couple of weeks to dial you in for that first shot? |
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Post by lockmaster on Jul 19, 2008 12:24:30 GMT -5
As I ALWAYS teach folks when helping them with the bow....you only have ONE CHANCE to make a good first shot! I practice it myself too. I ALWAYS make my very first shot the best it can be when going out to practice! A good group means your bow is well tuned, and you are shooting well but you shoot ONE...not a group at your trophy.A lot of times, if that first shot is off more than I think it should be, I will put the bow up after that one and go back for another one later. Teach yourself to be disciplined and it will become second nature to you to ALWAYS concentrate on the first shot...and you will take that discipline and concentration to your stand with you, and it will be there every time you draw back on a deer or other game animal. If you KNOW (and you should know and be certain) that your bow is well tuned and sighted in well, just always make it standard practice to concentrate on that FIRST SHOT...and not just go out and start "slinging arrows". A lot of people I have witnessed will say to me when an arrow "goes wild"...."It don't matter, I'm just warming up". To me, theat is ENTIRELY wrong. Every shot you make shoud be with the same precise form and concentration that you will be using when you draw back on your "trophy".  |
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smj
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Post by smj on Jul 19, 2008 15:29:02 GMT -5
Hi oldgun! I have to agree as well, it is the first arrow that counts. I have known some who shoot 50 arrows to get "ranged" and on target. This does no good for hunting, it will never happen.
So, if you place a 1 inch dot on the target, how many of your first arrows are within 3 inches of the dot? I would shoot the range that will allow you to place the arrow tightly to the dot every time on that first arrow off the bow. As to distance, yeah a deer can seem to jump a string, and other things can go wrong as well. All to true. But keep in mind that the first arrow should find the animal about as calm as it will be for you, and the odds of a good hit as high as they come for any hunting situation. Where you can put that first arrow is what it is all about. In my opinion, more so than what distance you can shoot at the target range. (Although, being able to place a nice group is the best indicator that form and equipment are honed up nicely and ready to go hunting!) Actually, try this - Go out and shoot one arrow every hour or two, every shot at a different distance - but within the distance you think you'd be able to deliver a good arrow. You must wear full hunting clothes. Over the course of the day, you should be able to shoot about 12 arrows. Measure and record the distance and how far off the mark the arrow is for each shot. It should be very clear very soon if you can really shoot the distances you think you can. Also, don't measure the length to the target before taking the shot. Although, try to pick some distances that will force you to shoot odd lengths as well as common range distances. Try to make it as real as you can. I think that will answer your question!
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Post by CopperHead on Jul 25, 2008 8:35:03 GMT -5
Oldgun,
I just started again with the recurve and longbow about 3 years ago. I still can't bring myself to hunt with either yet. Maybe this year. But if I do I am planning on chosing my stands that will give me a 10 to 15 yard shot as I an confiednt at those distances. But as of yet I am still on the fence. So you are not alone.
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red
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Post by red on Jul 25, 2008 16:46:29 GMT -5
Oldgun, I just started again with the recurve and longbow about 3 years ago. I still can't bring myself to hunt with either yet. Maybe this year. But if I do I am planning on chosing my stands that will give me a 10 to 15 yard shot as I an confiednt at those distances. But as of yet I am still on the fence. So you are not alone. Make that 3 of us. |
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arwin
Junior Member
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Post by arwin on Jul 26, 2008 17:32:28 GMT -5
Inside circle on a paper plate at 20 yds has been the standard for most I know. Most of my shots are less than that.
Try taking a shot as soon as you wake up each morning. I think it resembles early morning hunts when your body is still half asleep and your motor skills are off a bit. If you can hit the mark 95% of the time doing this, you'll be ready. The only reason I say 95% and not 100% is because we all miss no matter how much practice we get,LOL!
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red
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Post by red on Jul 26, 2008 21:06:23 GMT -5
Inside circle on a paper plate at 20 yds has been the standard for most I know. Most of my shots are less than that. Try taking a shot as soon as you wake up each morning. I think it resembles early morning hunts when your body is still half asleep and your motor skills are off a bit. If you can hit the mark 95% of the time doing this, you'll be ready. The only reason I say 95% and not 100% is because we all miss no matter how much practice we get,LOL! Good advice, arwin and SMJ...I can live with that. |
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have you tried a practice regime of only 1 shot for your session ( a few per day) for a couple of weeks to dial you in for that first shot?
