So I'm still new to archery, have been shooting for around a year now. Just recently branched out to shooting 40,50,60 and 70 yards full time. It makes my short "game" feel like I'm at 6 feet. The only issue is when I have a wild shot or a low miss on my 3D targets, I'm out an arrow. Ive been shooting every chance I get. I've lost 3 in the past month. What is everybody's monthly loss of arrows. Guess I'm just curious. Almost 90% of the people I know hunt use a rifle or a crossbow. Taking a shot in the dark here.
Welcome to archery and bowhunting! With all due respect, it might pay you to keep practicing at the shorter ranges and work toward tight groups. The farther out you get, the more drop in trajectory means a slight change in aim and a lost arrow. I shoot a low DW and see that between 15 and 25 yards, there is a big difference in trajectory with the position of the two pins. Our local gun club used to have 3D shoots. A couple of the guys who helped take down the targets would go behind the target butts with a metal detector. The next meeting would see several arrows on the coat rack. Complements on your determination to practice. Be nice if all bowhunters took that attitude.
I usually "lose " an arrow or bolt at the rate of one to two a year. I have learned to keep a very close eye on them and then I follow the "trail or part" they leave in the grass. Also I have access to a metal detector.. All are eventually found for I shoot from the ground near a food plot, disc pops them up and they become plant stakes. This is a very good reason to practice how you hunt. So most of my practice is out of a stand. Great exercise.
I usually lose them when I’m shooting long yardages and then move up and use the wrong pin or forget to set the yardage on my sight. I’ve lost three or four shooting outside out in the yard, then came back into the basement and shot the concrete wall bc my sight was still set on 60
Make a bigger backstop to put behind the 3D target. I have a 4 foot square box target full of shrink wrap that I made to stop loosing arrows. Sent from my iPhone using Bowhunting.com Forums
I don't use sights, so I practice at random angles and distances a lot when on the ground and the stand. When changing distances after a good grouping I have shot high at times. It is absolutely amazing how far and where a ricochet off the back off a 3D target will travel. I found one such arrow 80 some YARDS dangling off a tree branch. Why I cringe seeing back yard set ups in tight neighborhoods.
I dont lose too many anymore, but I break 4-6 arrows a year. But I do stupid things like shooting swinging targets, or random objects in the woods. I have 3-4 of those cheap foam blocks that are 3'x3' that I use as a backstop if I am shooting longer distances. Its hard to miss with those guys set up.
I have an 8X8 fence as a backstop. Haven't lost any arrows but some get between the boards and are hard to pull without bending. I can't shoot over 35 yards or I would have to stand in the middle of the street.
Being a roofer.. I use 4x8 1/2" sheet of OSB for a backstop out at the farm when shooting distance shots. The wind can be a real peckerwood here so occasionally I miss my 2x2 target and hit the osb.
If your not winging one now an again your either not shooting much or you only taking creampuff shots
I like that attitude. Its fine men such as yourself that still give me hope for humanity, that ain't no bull either.
You cut the 2 hangers down to the longest straight line on the bottom approximently 9" straight wire. Bed a 3 " section in a 90 degree elbow. Hold them in your hands pointing out, when you go over the hollow arrow shafts the wire from the hangers will swing in your hands parallel over where the arrow shafts are. Works for any buried like and also aligns with over head lines.
My yellow lab has found a lot of my lost arrows. All grass and sage brush behind my targets. She doesn't fetch them but I noticed when she is sniffing around while I'm looking, she will stop and smell them when she finds them . So I watch her and if she stops, I check.