After getting my (LATE) first two rounds of vegas in today, it was pretty easy to see that my second round score of 234, (same bow arrows etc) was much better than my first round of 210 (i started cold turkey/no practice shots) and I just felt better after that first round..even later in the first round I picked it up...ie...body/form and concentration etc...I had a few get away from me on that first round just missing the edge of the blue..none on the second round... but it got me thinking and I have felt it before, I really feel like I need a good solid warm-up before I hunt with my traditional bows....Last fall I would shoot about 10 shots before I would hunt, I wonder if this is even enough of a warm up? Or do you guys even do a warm up before you head out into the woods? Does the warm up wear off once you hit the woods and say sit for a couple hours....??? thanks for your thoughts/experiences..
Excellent question Troy!! The warm up before I go hunting Is absolutely critical to me, I need to do It every time before I hit the woods. I'll even sometimes shoot In the dark In the mornings before I go If I really feel I need to. My warm up can be anywhere from 10 to 40 arrows. It really depends on how good my warm up Is going. There's been times where I'm all dressed up and ready to go but can't hit my spot to save my ass so back In the house I go and off come the camo and no hunting for me. I hate them times but I won't go out In the woods If my confidence level Is low, just asking for It otherwise. I've stayed back at bear camp a couple of different times because I couldn't hit my spot, I know It's cost's me at least one bear for not going but that's just me. To finally answer your question, I believe my warm up will never wear off once I'm out there as long as my warm up was done right In the 1st place.
So far I've never really worried about warm ups. Most time my 1st shot out of the gate is my best & I don't want to waste it on foam.
I have an outside light, It works well for this. I know that none are 2 alike but this surprises me some. Never can you have too much confidence going out with a traditional bow In hand.
Yep, It's experience at It's finest. Personal It Is but you will find out that your "effective range" can and will change from time to time. It's just nice to know when It changes. Just trying to give a little tip Is all that's worked great for me, nothing more.
I practice cold turkey. Many times I'll step out my back door and take one shot, be it 20 yards or 50 yards, 1 shot. I occasionally shoot prior to an afternoon hunt but never have I shot in the weee hours of the morn. edit: OOOPps, didn't know it was in traditional when I saw Sheds thread...LOL :d Disregard. Kudos to you Steve.
I don't take any warm up shot on the day I go hunting. I practice on days I don't hunt. I think it a good idea if you want/can though. I shoot so much that if I feel I need to warm up than I better stay home. One thing I will do in the treestand before first light is to draw my bow a few times to loosen my muscles up.
I don't take any practice shots in the a.m. Once I'm in my stand I'll often pick a spot, draw, hold and then let-down. Most times I'll take a practice shot before I get down. Once I get in from hunting I may do some shooting IF I have time.. Also, I like to shoot a few arrows before the afternoon hunt. I'm pretty confident at the distance's I expect to be shooting and I limit my shots to those distance's, no exceptions!! Why?? Because "shoot" happens woodsman
Me as well In the mornings, evenings, afternoon sits, or whatever. It's the 1st thing I do after I get myself situated In the stand. It's always nice to know for sure too that there aren't any new branches that may have fell close to the stand In your area where you'll be drawing your bow.
I don't take practice shots, but I will draw the bow several times to keep my muscles loose. The first shot of every practice session is the most important to me. I make sure its hunting simulated and I challenge myself to see at what distance I can effectively kill a deer when I'm cold.
I never take a practice shots. When I get to where I want to hunt, I draw several times, aiming in the directions I think I might get a shot at. I do this to insure I have nothing in the way of my limbs or arm when drawing.
I don't take shots before I go in the morning mainly becuase it is usually dark still. If I'm in a treestand though, I always take a few before getting out of it usually in the direct path that I'm going to walk out of. If it's an afternoon hunt, then I'll usually take a few practice shots before heading out. I will also pull back my bow a few times while hunting.
