Author Topic: how do you know when you are ready to hunt (Read 943 times)

camsdaddy · « **on:** August 11, 2005, 03:41:40 AM »

I have been shooting my bow more and more and am looking forward to season opening. I am wondering when you know you are ready to go into the woods with your bow. What is considered hunting accuracy I guess is my question. In a way I guess if i am asking this I may not be ready.

Wlscott · « **Reply #1 on:** August 11, 2005, 04:07:37 AM »

For me, it's when I can put three arrows in the kill at thirty yards from a variety of shooting positions.

For you it may be different.

Most of my hunting is white tail hunting from an elevated stand. Most shots are inside of twenty yards, but there is an opportunity for longer shots out to thirty yards.

You need to honestly evaluate your hunting situation/scenario and determine what you need to be able to do when you are faced with a shot.

I also think that it is more important to know what you are capable of, rather than knowing when you are ready. In other words, if you know that you are driving tacks at twenty yards, but can't hit the broad side of a barn from thirty, don't take shots at thirty yards no matter how tempted you are.

NONYA · « **Reply #2 on:** August 11, 2005, 05:52:02 AM »

whenever Im awake,my antelope archery season starts this Sun. and the have started to rut,ITS ON!!! :-D :-D :-D

wijim · « **Reply #3 on:** August 11, 2005, 10:58:24 AM »

scot's right.

if you can put 100% of the arrows you shoot into the bullseye at the range you plan on shooting from and 99.9% of them there a few yards beyond.....well gear up...cuz you're ready.

just realize that judging distances in the field or from your stand will differ in a huge way. and if you haven't already...figure out the distances from your stand to various landmarks around within your range. that way you will have less figuring to do and will be more comfort in knowing and have more confidence in your shot.

camsdaddy · « **Reply #4 on:** August 12, 2005, 01:21:29 AM »

I am guessing by bullseye we mean the normal 8" zone. Also I have spending time guestimating range since most of my hunting is stalking from the ground. I think that at this time I have pretty much decided on all shots less than 25yds. I have noticed that at 20yrds I am without a doubt deadly but seems as if accuracy falls off at shorter distances. I am not sure if I shoot every shot at 20 as though it is a money shot and take the shorter shots more lax or what but I am doing alot of work on form and getting things worked out I think I will be ready in a Sep 10.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #5 on:** August 12, 2005, 02:55:22 AM »

camsdaddy, Bullseye for me don't mean a 8 inch circle. I look at a 2 inch square at 30 yards as a bullseye. I have never liked the phrase hunting accuracy,we owe the animal to make the best shot possible to make a quick and humane kill. Consistent accuracy is what is needed.

A 8 inch plate my represent the vital zone on a target, but in the woods and your adrenalin is pumping and the deer does not have a big 8 inch target on it's side, knowing you are accurate and consistent in your shots is what counts.

wijim · « **Reply #6 on:** August 12, 2005, 02:55:26 AM »

Quote from: camsdaddy

I am guessing by bullseye we mean the normal 8" zone. Also I have spending time guestimating range since most of my hunting is stalking from the ground. I think that at this time I have pretty much decided on all shots less than 25yds. I have noticed that at 20yrds I am without a doubt deadly but seems as if accuracy falls off at shorter distances. I am not sure if I shoot every shot at 20 as though it is a money shot and take the shorter shots more lax or what but I am doing alot of work on form and getting things worked out I think I will be ready in a Sep 10.

8" zone?....uh no.....um....thats a huge error margin. sorry to say....you'd better be hittin x's at the range at your effective range. seriously its not unreasonable to expect 2-3" groups at 20 yards. and all in that 3" circle. i hope this doesnt sound harsh...but dont give yourself 8" of leeway.

camsdaddy · « **Reply #7 on:** August 12, 2005, 03:16:55 AM »

Oh no harshness taken I plan on using post it notes to know my effective range. I really want to hunt this year with my bow but if my accuracy is not up to par I will wait till rifle season to begin and practice until next year if there is a doubt I will leave th ebow in the shop

TomD · « **Reply #8 on:** August 12, 2005, 03:41:10 AM »

Last year was my first Bow hunting season. Practiced hard and was effective out to 30 - 35 yds - inside 3" circle groups. I felt a bit weak on judging distance while stalking, but when in a blind or stand I had marked my distances. As a result, I passed on several marginal shots were the distance was beyond my comfort zone or the light had faded to the point where I felt I owed the deer a better chance of tracking it. I also passed on a couple of shots due to rain starting to fall as light faded.

This causiousness cost me an opportunity to take a nice 6 point Buck...I can still see him and the shot that I passed on...it bums me out, but it was the right thing to do as I wasn't comfortable with the shot.

I'd suggest that you just get out there and hunt and depend on your own good judgement when shots present themselves...obviously you have good judgeement as you started this post

Wlscott · « **Reply #9 on:** August 12, 2005, 03:43:11 AM »

Quote from: camsdaddy

snip.................I have noticed that at 20yrds I am without a doubt deadly but seems as if accuracy falls off at shorter distances.[/i] I am not sure if I shoot every shot at 20 as though it is a money shot and take the shorter shots more lax or what but .........

Have you paper tuned your bow? If so, from what distance? Your arrow may not be stabilizing until it gets out fifteen or twenty yards from the bow.

Don't forget to practice shooting at the same angles that you'll be shooting from your treestand either

camsdaddy · « **Reply #10 on:** August 12, 2005, 04:20:57 AM »

no I have not and I know that I need to paper tune I was reading about it last night and I hope to that this weekend. I have heard 10' is this correct

wijim · « **Reply #11 on:** August 12, 2005, 04:34:46 AM »

10' is good, but honestly try it from 5'-10 yards.....and a couple spots in between....you will find out pretty quick if its a stabilization issue (like the other wisconsin genious...lol.....said) and where it corrects.

keep pluggin away cam...

do you have a proshop with a range nearby? just practicing there with others can really help you out.

Wlscott · « **Reply #12 on:** August 12, 2005, 06:19:31 AM »

Well, I'm not from Wisconsin, and I'm sure as heck not a genious :-D

But I do agree that you need to paper tune at various distances. Start at a distance that ensures that your arrow has completely left the bow. Tune there, then move the paper tuner out a little further.

wijim · « **Reply #13 on:** August 12, 2005, 11:50:41 AM »

lol....i thought you had that wi in front of your handle same as me....i guess i aint exactly a genius either.... :-D

Wlscott · « **Reply #14 on:** August 12, 2005, 05:46:01 PM »

Quote from: wijim

lol....i thought you had that wi in front of your handle same as me....i guess i aint exactly a genius either.... :-D

Nope. I'm from Oklahoma because Oklahoma is OK! :-D

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #15 on:** August 13, 2005, 03:15:59 AM »

Quote from: camsdaddy

Oh no harshness taken I plan on using post it notes to know my effective range. I really want to hunt this year with my bow but if my accuracy is not up to par I will wait till rifle season to begin and practice until next year if there is a doubt I will leave th ebow in the shop

I am glad to see you are open to all suggestions. What I do just before bow season is, I go out and shoot just one arrow from my comfort zone of shooting. I personally like 30 yards, I have shot deer out to 40 which I limit myself to, but 30 yards is where I feel most comfortable. This way I know I only have one arrow to make the shot count. I have found that I do extremely well with that one shot.

I still shoot several groups, but like to do the one arrow drill off and on. When I practice I do it from 10,20,30 and 40 yards. I wish you all the luck and success on your first bow hunt.

camsdaddy · « **Reply #16 on:** August 15, 2005, 03:10:21 AM »

Well guys I didnt have a chance to shoot my bow any further than 10yds after paper tuning. I got my 10 pin set and now I have a dif prob I can only shoot one arrow at a time in fear of split the previous arrow :grin: actually I am very pleased with the after results of paper tuning I think that was the prob will try to shoot at different distances today the mosquitoes were killing me last night. thanks and if you ever need someone to tesify to paper tuning drop me a line I feel as I have wasted the last few months thanks for the advice

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #17 on:** August 15, 2005, 05:56:23 PM »

Quote from: camsdaddy

Well guys I didnt have a chance to shoot my bow any further than 10yds after paper tuning. I got my 10 pin set and now I have a dif prob I can only shoot one arrow at a time in fear of split the previous arrow :grin: actually I am very pleased with the after results of paper tuning I think that was the prob will try to shoot at different distances today the mosquitoes were killing me last night. thanks and if you ever need someone to tesify to paper tuning drop me a line I feel as I have wasted the last few months thanks for the advice

Let us know how you do at the different ranges. And the best of luck to you this season.

panman · « **Reply #18 on:** August 18, 2005, 01:54:05 AM »

Camsdaddy,dont forget to shoot and practice with the stile broadhead you will be hunting with.They all dont fly the same.Wacoms and sonex? seem to fly the best from most bows.There is a lot of good ones out there,but thouse two are very forgiveing and leave a good blood trail,also the penitration is very good.pan.