Bow hunting is one of the oldest and most enjoyable ways to take game. For many hunters, archery is a way to connect with primal hunting skills that have been honed and refined for generations, but finding success in the field requires having a shot that’s skillful and true. Whether you’re a seasoned bow hunter or are just starting to learn the art of archery, here are four ways to help you sharpen your archery skills this spring.
Realistic Practice
Practicing in an environment that is realistic will provide the most benefit for any bow shooter. That means that hunters who mostly shoot from a tree stand should practice shooting from an elevated position. Similarly, practicing in low light conditions or during inclement weather, or while wearing clothing that you would typically wear on a hunt all make for a more realistic practice experience. Of course, there is nothing wrong with also practicing on flat ground when the weather is ideal, but simulating actual hunting conditions during your practice will help improve your skills the most.
Physical Training
Bow hunting is a physically demanding sport. Hiking into a hunting area and climbing tree stands are two things that might quickly come to mind, but drawing, holding and shooting a bow also requires physical stamina. Maintaining good physical fitness can improve your ability to shoot accurately and consistently. The shoulder and upper back muscles are particularly important with archery, so tailoring a workout regimen to focus on these muscle groups can be a great benefit, but overall conditioning can improve a hunter’s abilities throughout the entire hunt, while also paying off when you need to make a difficult shot.
Practice Distance Shots
Bow hunters quickly learn what their comfortable range is for a shot. It can be tempting to practice at this comfortable distance until you feel as though you have it right, but it’s important to practice shots both at longer and shorter distances. You never can predict how your hunt will do, and sometimes you may have a clear shot but at a longer distance than you might prefer. Working on the accuracy of your longer shots in practice allows you to slowly expand your comfortable range while also making closer shots seem even easier.
Adrenalin Training
Practicing while you are calm is one thing, but an actual shot in the field often involves dealing with a bit of an adrenalin rush. When a deer or other animal walks into your range, your muscles tense and your heart starts beating faster which can impact your accuracy. A shot that might be easy for you to make when calm can suddenly be a lot more difficult when your heart is pounding and your breathing is rapid. That’s why you should practice making your shot in these conditions.
Simulate an adrenalin rush during practice with a simple exercise. G5 Prime says to place your bow on the ground or a stand, and then sprint around long enough to get your heart pounding. Once your heart rate is up from the exercise, grab the bow and try to take a shot. This simple exercise can help put you in a similar physical state to having an adrenaline rush, allowing you to focus on making sure your arrows hit the mark even in tense field conditions.
Tioga Boar Ranch is one of the largest hunting preserves in the eastern U.S. Our guests enjoy access to an incredible selection of game during our hunts. Put your archery skills to the test by booking a hunt with us. Learn more by calling 570-835-5341 today.