Post by BT on Jan 28, 2008 19:12:23 GMT -5
During the small game Tourney , I got a reminder of why I have a lighted range at my house and why I should always use it as designed 
This subject goes in so many directions I wasn't sure where I should put it as topic related , so....I'll stick it here
___________
I first made my range with the intent of having a place to warm up each day before heading to the stands although it provides other functions....obviously.
The lights were intended to provide me the opportunity to shoot before going into the morning stand and it has proved valuable many times.
This year I neglected to follow my routine and payed for it many times over.....even this past weekend
Skipmaster saw this evidenced prior to an outing at his house.
I decided to fire off a couple before we headed out and on every shot.....I was 12" (at least) to the left
Fortunitly....that allowed me to correct it before heading out.
This weekend , both Spiker and I had tuned our bows to split diamonds prior to the first day but we didn't check the day of
With squirrels you just never know if your missing because of you or the squirrel...it's just that crazy
Although he and I were stinking the place up , we were still oblivious to the real issue
After screwing up again Sunday morning.....we finally decided that something was wrong
Spiker was hitting low and left (consistently) and I was hitting low (consistently).
Spiker got pretty wound up as to the reason but I knew the reason.....things had changed 
This brought it all back
The reason I started (years ago) shooting warm up each day before going to the stand was because things change.....be it personal or equipment.
It doesn't matter why and it doesn't matter how....it matters only that you check it so that you can (if needed) correct it.
I shot 3-D with a guy a couple of years back who would cut his average by 60 or more points because he just wouldn't except that something changed and he would continue to shoot for the mark....hoping that he could correct it.
Generally , he finished with the same errors making a perfect score in light of the errors.
I would always say....just change the sights and move on.
If your hitting 3" low...every time....adjust the sights!!
If my bow is tuned and shoots consistently in any one area...I dont have an equipment issue....I have a personal issue.
If I dont know what I am doing wrong then why fight it?.... it's going to be what it is until it isn't anymore
If anyone wants to add to or debate what I am saying then please do so because this topic needs to breath!....there is alot to learn from it
Secondly...small game hunting....it's important IMO
Why?....because targets are only fun and games....it doesn't teach much more than range estimation and tuning
Small game hunting teaches shooting.
I have gotten away from it and I think it is definitely to my detriment
I point to skipmaster for evidence of this fact
Look at those pics from the tourney...heart shots nearly 100% of the time ..... missess?....nary a one in comparison to his other two com padres
Why?...I think it is simply because he hunts more hours than most people shoot throughout the year
It's certainly not only because he lives in a deer rich area
He shares the woods with alot of shooters who don't take 5% of the deer he takes while only shooting at 1/3 the ranges
Anyone who disagrees or has something to add?....be my guest.
My point is this.....there is a way to become the ultimate killing machine....I truly believe that most people just don't practice or prepare for it.
I used to do everything I am pointing to and over the last two years have neglected to follow through.
That IMO is the only thing that has killed my performance and I think it effects many many more people out there
This subject goes in so many directions I wasn't sure where I should put it as topic related , so....I'll stick it here
___________
I first made my range with the intent of having a place to warm up each day before heading to the stands although it provides other functions....obviously.
The lights were intended to provide me the opportunity to shoot before going into the morning stand and it has proved valuable many times.
This year I neglected to follow my routine and payed for it many times over.....even this past weekend
Skipmaster saw this evidenced prior to an outing at his house.
I decided to fire off a couple before we headed out and on every shot.....I was 12" (at least) to the left
Fortunitly....that allowed me to correct it before heading out.
This weekend , both Spiker and I had tuned our bows to split diamonds prior to the first day but we didn't check the day of
With squirrels you just never know if your missing because of you or the squirrel...it's just that crazy
Although he and I were stinking the place up , we were still oblivious to the real issue
After screwing up again Sunday morning.....we finally decided that something was wrong
Spiker was hitting low and left (consistently) and I was hitting low (consistently).
Spiker got pretty wound up as to the reason but I knew the reason.....things had changed
This brought it all back
The reason I started (years ago) shooting warm up each day before going to the stand was because things change.....be it personal or equipment.
It doesn't matter why and it doesn't matter how....it matters only that you check it so that you can (if needed) correct it.
I shot 3-D with a guy a couple of years back who would cut his average by 60 or more points because he just wouldn't except that something changed and he would continue to shoot for the mark....hoping that he could correct it.
Generally , he finished with the same errors making a perfect score in light of the errors.
I would always say....just change the sights and move on.
If your hitting 3" low...every time....adjust the sights!!
If my bow is tuned and shoots consistently in any one area...I dont have an equipment issue....I have a personal issue.
If I dont know what I am doing wrong then why fight it?.... it's going to be what it is until it isn't anymore
If anyone wants to add to or debate what I am saying then please do so because this topic needs to breath!....there is alot to learn from it
Secondly...small game hunting....it's important IMO
Why?....because targets are only fun and games....it doesn't teach much more than range estimation and tuning
Small game hunting teaches shooting.
I have gotten away from it and I think it is definitely to my detriment
I point to skipmaster for evidence of this fact
Look at those pics from the tourney...heart shots nearly 100% of the time
..... missess?....nary a one in comparison to his other two com padres Why?...I think it is simply because he hunts more hours than most people shoot throughout the year
It's certainly not only because he lives in a deer rich area
He shares the woods with alot of shooters who don't take 5% of the deer he takes while only shooting at 1/3 the ranges
Anyone who disagrees or has something to add?....be my guest.
My point is this.....there is a way to become the ultimate killing machine....I truly believe that most people just don't practice or prepare for it.
I used to do everything I am pointing to and over the last two years have neglected to follow through.
That IMO is the only thing that has killed my performance and I think it effects many many more people out there
