Need help on my shooting.

[Dahmer]

I have been practicing with my recurve everyday for the last 3 months. What group size does everyone believe is acceptable to hunt with.

I am shooting 6 arrows into a 5" group at 20 yards. Is that good enough to hunt at 20 yds? At 10 yards my groups are around 3". I know that I am capable of making a kill shot at 10 yards, but is a 5" group aceeptable hunting accuracy?

[glen]

Go ahead and take it in the woods and keep your shots at 15 or less for the first year or two. I just started hunting with a bunch of longbow shooters and I learned to just shoot alot at unknown yardage and stump shoot instead of always shooting targets.

[LostHawg]

I think you are better able to answer that question than anyone else as far as you are concerned. Do you feel confident that you can hit the kill zone 100% of the time at 20 yards? If you have the confidence then you have the answer within yourself. Like the old Clint Eastwood quote, "A man's got to know his limitations". I personally have no idea if you're capable or not.

Sounds like you're doing real good to me...

[Bill]

I learned 30+ years ago that the maximum distance to hunt is where you can shoot 5 arrows into a 6" paper plate.

I found that taking 2, 1 hour trad lessons from the local archery shop owner (Level 5 USAA instructor and a heck of a bowhunter too) made a major improvement in my shooting. Form, release, anchor point, and learning to gap-shoot in 2 lessons. I paid $30 for both and it was really worth it. Does not need to be a bowhunter teaching you, just somebody who knows traditional shooting and coaching. My 2 cents.

[Wildman]

So, Justin, you are doing better than you do with your compound and hunt with your compound..........

Seriously, the only way to know if you can hit the kill zone is to shoot at a kill zone. GO HOG HUNTING!

[Bill]

.....or ask Wildman. Should have thought of that first.

Write on the back of your bow so you see it when you shoot, "WWWD?"


What Would Wildman Do? Maybe we'll made silicon wrist bands with that on it- it could become a cult fashon statement!

[muddydog]

For hunting practice you might try shooting 1 arrow flights with various distances. Try shooting a 3D target this will tell you your effective range. Shooting a group isnt the best way to judge range. only when you can put every arrow in the vitals every single time can you put a limit on your personal distance. Also this 1 arrow flight will make you a better instinctive shot and will help prevent some bad habits you may pick up from group shooting, such as snap shooting and muscle memory. Also remember there are other factors to consider before shooting at an animal, like how nervous they are and the wind. Good Luck with your practice sessions, These tips have worked very well for me.

[Wildman]

Muddydog has a GREAT tip too. The single arrow idea is the BEST way to make yourself shoot a perfect first arrow.

[LostHawg]

I can't disagree with either of the above posts.

You'll need to practice in a varied environment too. Trees and other obstacles help you to adapt to different terrains. Practice from a stand or the roof of your house. A ladder and kneeling. Not just standing in one position taking the same shot over and over and over and over and over and over and... Well, you know...

3D tourneys help with this.

[bradtex]

Has anyone read any of the shooting books, that Ferguson, Asbell and others have written. Are they helpful?

[stikshooter]

I started my trad shooting with Asbell's book,and it helped get me on the right track with form and follow thru.Then all I had to do was practice,practice,practice,practice and then practice some more.
Justin,the best practice you can get is going to 3D shoots with other trad shooters,I shoot at Bullis with other trad shooters once a month,and every Tbot shoot I can go to.You are more than welcome to come along anytime,I will help as much as I can.Just PM me if you are interested.

Eric

[Caddo]

bradtex, They can be helpful if taken at face value. All they are is "This is how I do it" books. They are not gospel and they are certainly not the only way to shoot. But, taken in the context of maybe you can pick up a tip that will work/help you, great, go for it. Archery and Golf are very similar. There is a million ways to do either, you just have to find what works for you. Bottom line is whatever you need to do to put the arrow where it needs to be. Good Luck!

LD

[Matt2006Martin]

8inch area and youre ok ;;;;;;;------------>