For me I practice in the exact gear I wear, its often quite cold where I hunt so I wear heavy cold weather gear(Which makes me drop my Draw Weight 5 pounds) Also I practice out of a stand because thats what I deer hunt out of. If you can practice in the same setup as you are going to be hunting out of it will help prepare you a lot for when you pull back on that monster.
All the above, and then some. I like to go to indoor ranges as well, not only to mix it up, but to work solely on form. Also, when at home, I like to practice at much further distances. Last night for example I was shooting at 60 yards. Though that was my last pin, I still went back a ways and was shooting somewhere in the 70 yard range. I know it may sound odd, but you really have to focus on the target. If you aim for the same point at 20 yards that you do at 60 yards, that point at 20 yards is HUGE. I will defintely get up in the stand and shoot at my 3D deer but this time of year I'm working on form and getting comfortable with new equipment.
Right now for me it is 90% form work. The other 10% involves me stepping out to ranges that are out of my comfort range so my range increases come fall. I am shooting a good amount from 20-25 yards. I am hoping all the work pays off and that my effective hunting range improves from the 12-14 yard mark to the 17-18 yard mark.
I myself spend about 80% of my time on the ground trying to become more accurate at 40yd. I can hold about a 4-6" pattern at 40. I'm at 2" or less out to 35yd. The other 20% is spent out of my treestand lane shooting at chuck the buck (yes I named my 3D target). I just changed bows. I went from a 50-60lb bow to a 60-70lb bow. So I am having to get my shoulders and arms built up to be more accurate before season opening. I am fortunate enough to own an archery range that is on our land so practice is just 300yd from my house. I still don't understand something though. I am hold a tighter pattern shooting the 3D target from the stand than I am at the bag target hanging on a stand from the ground. I am OK with that I just don't get it. Is this the case with anyone else??
Stick, you are doing the right things. When I used to shoot compounds I held better groups from elevation out to around 25-30 yards. Not sure why but suppose it has something to do with my release (or lack thereof)..not sure.
I shoot mostly year around, I do not change into hunting camo, I do shoot out of the stand a month or two before the season. with the broadheads. But during in the season I shoot 3 or 4 times a week in my hunting gear. mighty hot in ga.
During the off season, the majority of my practice occurs in situations that are most like the situations that I will put myself in during the fall. That means practicing on real deer. I, like others, like to shoot at distances far beyond what I will be shooting at during the hunting season. Putting yourself out of your comfort zone will greatly increase your confidence and skills.
I pretty well have my form down so all I have to do is start practicing about July with a few arrows at 20 then work myself back to about 40 for a couple days. By week two I start at about 40 and work back to about 80. By the third week I'm starting my practice at 60 yards and I'm easily back to about 120 yards for a few shots. By the 4th week I'm always shooting at a minimum of 60 and out to 140 yards consistantly focusing on pure form alone.In my spare time I'll open my trophy room door an shoot across the yard at my outdoor range between chores and playing. Periodically I'll walk out and get the arrows ( long shot 140 yards ). The closer it gets to season opening I start focusing on the details such as shooting from various positions, angles, and heights. I never shoot from the same place/distance twice in a row ( except out of my trophy room) and always use a laser calibrated to my sight. I have a system designed where I can laser, readjust my sight, knock an arrow and get an accurate shot off in under 10 seconds. I don't really practice with my hunting clothes on because I know from multiple past experiences that my string will hit the sleave of a bulky coat at the exact precise time I don't want it to. I always have all of my clothing nicely secured out of the way with arm gaurds or dyed ace wraps; preferably shooting with a light shirt or jacket on. I strictly shoot targets but while I'm hunting I'll usually visit a 3d range several times a week to practice. I'll stick a small block target in the bed of my truck or just pick out a small object to shoot that has a good backstop at least once daily. Don't practice at 20 yards guys, that is like shooting a sitting rabbit at 20 yards with an open choked shotgun off the bench. Try to challenge yourself to do more to become better prepared for the moment of truth.
