What is the opinion of your own shooting?

[stilllearning]

I ask this question because I have been having a hard time understanding what has been put in the momentum VS KE post and was beginning to think I am not good enough to do this. My mind was telling me that I was and am a well below average quality shooter.

Last night I got a bit of an eye opener and I was talking to Eastern about this today. One of the guys at the club has his own archery supply store we will call it, and shoots a lot of competitions. I always figured that I could never keep up to him in a competition of any sort.
Last night we got out the Archers edge donated burlap small game targets and he says "So do make this into a little competition?"
I say sure thinking I may learn some things from shooting with someone so much better than I am. Well I was surprised out of 9 shoots I would say I was closer to the "eye of the rabbit or the head of the partridge" than he was. I was shocked to see that.

I have to admit and I think eastern will agree I am my worst own enemy when it comes to my self image. I even noticed that BT this last fall said he had all the confidence in the world in my shooting even though after hitting the deer in the scapula I had no confidence in my shooting at all.

So what is your opinion of your own shooting ability?

[smj]

My opinion of my shooting has changed a lot over the years. There have been a lot of phases, which are all rather unique. These days, I don't shoot competition other than among people I know and trust. I find that this really opens the door to enjoyment a lot. I'd say my current opinion of my shooting is that my shooting brings me intense joy. Some days I suck bad! But when this happens I am more enjoying the joy of the companionship of my fellow archers, and find it amusing that I shoot so poorly. Other days, it would seem I can't miss and every shot is pure joy at watching the arrow fly, the joy of feeling the work being done by the bow, basking in the joy of having those around me simply say "wow" at the shot I just made - and saying "wow" back at the shot they make, too. The depth and meaning of this joy has increased an incredible amount over the years, as my appreciation and understanding of my sport has grown.

If there is a second part to my opinion of my shooting, it would have to be that I don't shoot nearly enough...

[Doegirl]

I really miss having a backyard that I can go out and shoot nearly everyday. Now, I'm lucky to get to practice once a week . As long as I keep practicing on a regular basis, I'm "ok". The longer I go without shooting, the worse I get. Hunting wise, I like to keep my shots under 25yds.

[oldgun]

Having just started last May, I was pleased with my progress over the summer months. With -30C and no indoor area to shoot I can't wait to get back into it come the spring!!!

[bowman]

I personally feel I am not a great shot but I know what shot I can make. on a live aniamal;

One thing I always say is that shooting a target and shooting a live animal is totally different. and if you have a miss on an animal or a wound it will haunt you until you have connected on a few.And it takes a few kills to build that confidence.

I really suggest shooting 3-D targets as much as possible and shoot from realistic distance and at difficult angles and through brush you need to be totally insync with your bow .

[stilllearning]

smj your post says alot about why I started the club with our church. There are some nights I don't shoot at all because I love to watch people laughing and haveing a great time shooting.

[oldfarmsblueman]

I have only been shooting for one year this next month,Feb.
I fell in love with my little Mathews Mustang and 26"arrows.
I am self taught with the help of everyone at the Archers
Edge.I am lucky I can walk out my door and shoot in my
yard any distance I want.I also live 4 miles from a great
out door state range with targets all through the woods.
I do most of my things by myself because it's hard to find
people that have the time and same interests as myself.I have
one friend that shoots a X-bow,One that shoots a long bow
and one who is an idiot that I will not shoot with(poacher).
I am very honest with my shooting.I only shoot agenst myself.
I try to figure out if I am doing things right or wrong.If I
think I have a problem I will ask others (you all) and try to
make changes.The bottom line is I think we all know how
good we are,to the point of we have good days and bad days.
When I used to hunt raccoons with dogs there was a saying
that I fell in love with.It's "When the tailgate drops the BS stops"
People would tell you how great there coon hound is but some
were and many were not.When you hunted one dog by
himself you found out just what it could do.I got taken with a very
good looking blue tick coon hound that I payed $1000.00 for.I
checked him with a very good dog that I knew was good.To
make a long story short the dog coulden't tree a coon if you
put it in a telephone booth with one.He was a "ME TO "dog.
He would just follow the other dogs and let them do all the work.
When you got to the tree there he was looking like a great
tree hound treeing with the other dogs.
Whether we are great, good or fair shooters depends on many
things.As long as we have fun and KNOW OUR LIMMITS when
it comes to hunting if we hunt game that should be enough.
Some can take a very long shot and make it work.Others who
can't but know there limits should stick to the distance they
are comfortable shooting at.Every time I shoot I know that
when I do every thing right the arrow go's to the spot I am
aiming at.When I miss it's because I didn't do somthing right.
Am I a good shot how knows.I'm better than some and not
even close to others.Am I happy with my shooting.Yes I am.
Can I get better?yes I can.I will keep at it ,makeing myself
if not better, making it easier and more natural to shoot.I
don't have to thread a needle with an arrow just put it into
the correct area of my game.

[easternhunter]

Jan 22, 2009 0:25:31 GMT -5 smj said:

My opinion of my shooting has changed a lot over the years. There have been a lot of phases, which are all rather unique. These days, I don't shoot competition other than among people I know and trust. I find that this really opens the door to enjoyment a lot. I'd say my current opinion of my shooting is that my shooting brings me intense joy. Some days I suck bad! But when this happens I am more enjoying the joy of the companionship of my fellow archers, and find it amusing that I shoot so poorly. Other days, it would seem I can't miss and every shot is pure joy at watching the arrow fly, the joy of feeling the work being done by the bow, basking in the joy of having those around me simply say "wow" at the shot I just made - and saying "wow" back at the shot they make, too. The depth and meaning of this joy has increased an incredible amount over the years, as my appreciation and understanding of my sport has grown.

If there is a second part to my opinion of my shooting, it would have to be that I don't shoot nearly enough...

AMEN Brother!

[SPIKER]

I just love to shoot. I'm not sure how good I am as I've never even been to a range..well once..no..twice.

I do know that when a live animal is front of me it is a lot different than foam, and the only way to practice for that is experience in the field.

[mobowhunter]

I think everyone goes thru phases with their shooting. From when you first start and the question goes thru your mind can I make this shot when you haven't shot much. To it doesn't even cross your mind that you can make this shot when you shoot a lot. Then come the miss. What happened? How did I miss? Is my bow sight off? Did my bow get knocked around some how? I never gave it much thought until I realized I was doing it, but when the season rolls around and we climb in the tree a lot of guy's stop shooting. They spend so much time hunting that when the shot opportunity comes they question their skills. I try to shoot everyday even when I am hunting. It doesn't take much, just a few shots in a target to reassure your self everything is still on. You are still going to have the occasional miss, and there is no way around that. But the more you shoot and the more your sure of your ability, the fewer of them you will have.