I'm shooting broadheads right now out to 50, (hunting season opens in 28 days here) @ 50 yards, I am really hitting nicely in 3 inch groups with my BH's, @ 40 yards I am stacking them together under 3 inches.. more like 2-2.5, @ 30 yards right now I am stacking them close around 2 inches or less, anything under 30 I am worried about damaging the broadheads so I am shooting just one at time and dead on at that range... anything under 20 or less is gonna be 1 or less, too close to try with multiple broadheads at a time right now. I am at the point right now everything I do is 1 shot and retrieve, treating it like gametime, no second chances.. My old liberty and I get along really well, I guess that's why I can't justify selling her. She's worn, not pretty, but shoots silky smooth and dead on. I am shooting from elevated sets now, off the deck, roof etc, getting back in tune with my treestand angles.. it wont be long
I consider my maximum effective range to be the range at which I can hold all my shots in a 3" circle. We all know a kill zone is bigger than that but we also know that hunting isn't target shooting and "stuff" happens.
That is how I practice during the hunting season...just a few shots one at a time from different ranges
i always put a bottle cap on the deer "target" and try to shoot it. i shoot about 4 arrows for practice, and atleast one of them hits inside the cap. i did this cuz on a movie i heard someone say "aim small miss small" lol
The aim small miss small idea works very good. I always practice at 20yards shooting golf tees instead of trying to shoot regular targets. I can always shoot within 2" of that golf tee, but if I am shooting at a normal 3 face target I am only about 80% hitting the yellow.
3" would be it I guess but I'm more concerned with my bad shots than the good ones. When I get to the distance that the occasional flyer occurs more frequent, I know that's too far.
I also try not to overshoot, meaning shoot for a long period of time especially close to season. Sometimes I may shoot for 10- 15 minutes, if i'm on then I quit, no need to tire yourself out and start being inconsistant!
"too far" meaning for hunting purposes, doesn't mean I don't practice from further back, b/c that's how I get better.
I don't look at it in group size. That can change from day to day.....and based on conditions. I look at it in terms of how I've felt and what's before me. I know when I'm "on" and when I'm not. And, the stark truth of the matter is, we all still miss (the entire DEER). Heck, some do it on film and post it. Did they make a bad shot? Not for me to say. It could have been perfect, and their target moved. If you go into each shot - thinking there's NO WAY you miss......then you've appeased me (not that it's important to do so). Range is irrelevant. There are days/conditions I wouldn't attempt a shot of more than 10yds. Other days/conditions, that might stretch to 20yds.. If I (to 'somewhat' answer your question) started seeing my shooting deteriorating, for no apparent reason, I'd start to question my: 1. Equipment and 2. Preparedness.
This year is going to be a challenge for me in terms of accuracy. In order to stay sharp I will need to practice more than I ever have during the season. I plan on bringing a target with me in the bed of my truck to shoot at between hunts and before hunts if my confidence starts to dwindle.
Good feedback guys! I've been shooting pretty good here lately. The only thing that bothers me (and I guess I need to get over it) is the fact I shot better a few years ago. Trying to determine the reason is killing me. However, I still shoot accurately enough to kill a deer but that confidence level is down from what it used to be.
