Practice Shooting your Bow

Word spread quickly of a 70-yard kill shot I made on a mule deer with my bow. Dozens of people have made comments both positive and negative. The negative comments come from those that feel 70 yards is too far to shoot a bow. I say that is wrong.

Practice makes perfect whether you shoot a rifle or a bow. Time spent shooting and perfecting your skill must be spent in order to shoot any distance, much less a 70 yard archery shot. There was a time that 30 yards was at the outer limits of my shooting range. But with enough practice I moved that to 40 yards and began to see how commitment to shooting practice had a direct positive impact on taking animals with my bow at further distances.

I am not encouraging anyone to make long distance shots irresponsibly. It takes knowledge, skill, patience, confidence and lots of practice. But bringing home the backstrap is the reward of the shooter.

Today’s archery equipment is far advanced over equipment made just two years ago. I shoot what I feel is the most forgiving bow made, a Mathews Outback. With a short axle to axle length, the Outback features greater distance between the handle and the string (called brace height). The greater the brace height, the easier a bow is to shoot. Sights too have advanced with technology to the point where even the average shooter can now lengthen their shooting distance. For example, the Matrix sight by Trophy Ridge features 5 fiber optic pins with an easy adjustment for both left to right and up and down. It even has a level bubble built in so the shooter knows precisely how he is holding the bow.

But even with great equipment, practice is needed to extend your comfortable shooting distances. I recommend shooting daily at least a half hour and preferably an hour. Start at 20 yards. Shoot three arrow groups over and over again and when you are able to shoot consistent groups 1 ½” or less, move to 30 yards repeating the process. Once you conquer these ranges you are ready to try 40 yards, but not until you consistently shoot 1 ½” groups.

Practicing is a time when the only thing that is going on in my mind is improving my shooting. Find a small spot on the center of the target and try to hit that small spot. I generally use a 1” round brightly colored spot whether it’s at 20 yards or 50 yards. Past 50 yards I use a 2” spot. Shooting at a small spot will improve your shooting ability.

Once you master 30 yards, then 40 yards, it is time to continue shooting at further distances. Increase by 10 yards at a time and do not jump around at different yardages until you are confident of your skill.

Is 70 yards too far to shoot an animal with a bow? If you spend the time to learn your equipment and improve your shooting ability it can be done as easy as a 30-yard shot. But remember, it takes time. We owe it to ourselves and the animals we hunt to know your limits whether it is shooting a bow or a rifle.