THE DOG DAYS OF SUMMER

Have you ever been driving along and then all of the sudden you snap out of
a coma-like trance and you can’t remember anything for the past couple of
minutes and you realize (with some alarm) that your exit is rapidly
approaching? That is the way it is for a lot of archery hunters. They plod
along during the hot summer months concerned mostly with mowing the lawn, tending the garden, and maybe doing a little fishing. But suddenly, they snap out of their coma-like trance and realize (with some alarm) that archery season is rapidly approaching.

NOW IS THE TIME

Consider this a big freeway sign notifying you that your exit is approaching soon.
NOW IS THE TIME to get your bow out to start practicing.
NOW IS THE TIME to replace or repair equipment.
NOW IS THE TIME to check your hunting areas.
NOW IS THE TIME to get your work schedule in order.
NOW IS THE TIME to get licenses or permits.

WE ARE DIFFERENT

Unlike hunters who use rifles, muzzleloaders, or crossbows, we can’t just
pick up our bow after a year of not using it, draw it back, hold that
weight, release smoothly, and expect to hit what we are aiming at. We have
muscles that have to be strengthened and form that needs to be relearned.
We do not have the luxury of simply putting a crosshair or bead on our
target and pulling the trigger. There is SO much more involved. And because
of that, we must begin our practice sessions well before the season opener.

START OUT SLOW

At the beginning, you will want to keep your practice sessions short. As
you tire, your accuracy suffers and you may assign your errant shots to
something else entirely. And trust me, in the beginning, you will get tired
quickly. Try to make time to shoot every day but for the first week, don’t
shoot for more than 10 or 15 minutes at a time. Rest and reset your mind
and body in between each arrow and only shoot three arrows in a group.

FOCUS

It’s alright that you’ll only be shooting about 9-12 arrows each session
during that first week. Focus primarily on your form for each and every
arrow….strength will come. It is better to have a short but FOCUSED
practice session that a long and unfocused one. Beginning in the second
week and every week thereafter, add two more groups of three arrows to your practice sessions until you find yourself shooting for about an hour. For
the first few weeks, practice from the same distance each time so that you
can focus on your form.

CONCLUSION

If you find yourself getting bored with your practice sessions, mix up your
routine a bit. Shoot at a 3D animal target, mix up your distances, or find
a friend or family member to shoot with you. Boredom is a huge killer of
practice. And don’t forget to practice DURING the season as well. If your
last practice session was the day before the opener and you don’t have an
opportunity at a deer until the last day, it could be several months since
you’ve shot.

Check out my blog, videos, and lots of other stuff at www.thinkarchery.com.
If you would like to discuss this or any other archery topic with me
directly, please feel free to email me at todd@thinkarchery.com