Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Shooting and Hunting => Topic started by: WhistlingBadger on September 01, 2020, 08:33:53 pm
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Hey, gents. I just need to get this off my chest with some people who might understand. I have a general elk tag, and I was going to pick up a deer tag and take the Badgerling out on her first deer hunt tomorrow. But the way I've been shooting, I don't think I'll even try this year. My arrows are all over the place. Even at ten yards, only about one out of three is on the button. At 20 yards, forget it. I lost an arrow tonight because I missed my 4' square target butt. Pathetic. I'm no Howard Hill, but I'm better than that.
I just can't get my head in the zone. There's too much going on, lots of really unrelenting, stressful decisions needing to be made, demands I don't feel up to meeting. Life is a bit on the rough side right now. My mind all over the place, and my arrows are following. I just can't settle myself enough to make decent shots.
Wounding an animal and losing it would be worse than nothing. So, I don't think I'm going to be hunting this fall. I spent the whole winter and spring looking forward to September, and now it's here: The mulies will be shedding their velvet, and the raghorns will be starting to get horny, and I'm scared to go out. I don't know what's worse, not being able to hunt, or missing that great feeling that comes with a well-placed arrow. It's a bummer.
OK. Thanks.
Thomas
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Thomas, there is more honor and integrity in your statement than most of us can communicate in a lifetime.
I respect you even more for stating these hard truths. Hope things turn around for you soon.
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That really stinks. Ive been there where I couldn’t enjoy the hunt because of all the pressures on me. Thank goodness most of those have worked themselves out for now. I’m confident a new batch of troubles will come along eventually.
Hope you get yours worked out.
Woody
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Get the tag and take the Badgerling out for her first hunt! That is a very important event, and may help you settle some of your stress issues. These are very stressful times, and any type of regenerating activity is good. Not real sure we will get to bow hunt the early part of the season, but we will get out for the muzzleloader and rifle seasons. Hope you get the issues resolved!
Hawkdancer
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Get the tag and take the Badgerling out for her first hunt! That is a very important event, and may help you settle some of your stress issues. These are very stressful times, and any type of regenerating activity is good. Not real sure we will get to bow hunt the early part of the season, but we will get out for the muzzleloader and rifle seasons. Hope you get the issues resolved!
Hawkdancer
Oh, we'll go out and do something fun in the wild country. Just not slinging arrows in the general direction of critters.
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small game hunting could be the key
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What equipment are you shooting all over the place?
If its selfbow? , It could be any number of things.
With a general elk tag, that is an aweful lot of food. I would figger it out and hit the woods. I'm sure its an equipment issue Tom.
If its between going hungry and shooting a modern bow, moder bow it is.
Shawn~
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I won't bow hunt this year either, my shooting skills are just fine but I lost my good hunting land as well as my ability to drag a deer because of back and hip problems. I can hunt my little 4 acres and my neighbors 50 acres but the bow hunting opportunities are very slim because of the lay of the land which is mostly open fields and almost vertical drop offs off the top into creek bottoms.
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What equipment are you shooting all over the place?
If its selfbow? , It could be any number of things.
With a general elk tag, that is an aweful lot of food. I would figger it out and hit the woods. I'm sure its an equipment issue Tom.
If its between going hungry and shooting a modern bow, moder bow it is.
Shawn~
I appreciate that, Shawn, but I think the problem is between my ears. I got pretty sick a couple weeks ago and I'm not 100% yet, so that might be part of it too. For what it's worth, I'm shooting a 72" locust selfbow that's around 55-60# @27". Reasonably well-tuned arrows with 235 gr heads.
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Thanks for the kind words, guys. I'll get it figured out eventually, just maybe not in time for this year's hunting. The Mrs. and I had a good, long talk last night about some of the financial/professional situations that are ailing us, and I think we got some things headed the right direction, so maybe better times are ahead on that front, too.
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Nope we don't really know what's going on with you,,,,you are among friends here,,,my advice ,,,,get a camera,,go sit in the woods (insert spiritual thoughts here) Mother Nature can heal,,, my. Friend ,,it's not about the kill,,we all want to feel connected to something bigger than ourselves,,thanks for sharing,,,go chill good luck! JeffW
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I feel the same way, many years. I look forward so much that I romanticize hunting season to a point where it can't live up to my fantasy. The prep is hard and takes time and much thought. Then the reality of hunting season comes and I am overwhelmed. I finally have been able to let go of the fantasy. I take what I can from life and put 1st things first. I still am drawn to the woods but I don't get as frustrated when life get's in the way.
I have not shot enough with my hunting weight bow but I am shooting fine with my lower poundage spare bow. I may hunt with it this year, or if I get time to build up to my hunting bow, I will hunt with it. God will honor my pursuits. He always does. I will continue to put 1st things 1st and work with my hands. If I need more time for things he will provide it.
Be of good cheer my friend. Help is on the way. Live , love and be happy.
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Yeah. I'll be OK. Just lots of stressful situations that sort of piled up all at once over the spring and summer, and that's affected my archery practice. We'll be OK. Thanks for the support, guys. Maybe my archery skills will have a miraculous recovery and I'll get out. Or maybe I'll just hunt with the camera this year. We'll see. God is good and things work out, sooner or later.
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I just got back from shooting in the back field. I was really on tonight. I think I've about got this shooting problem licked. It seems to be a combination of three things: 1. Not concentrating. Some of our stressful situations are, if not resolving, at least becoming a little more reasonable. 2. Not being able to pick a spot. Last year I got some of those progressive lenses, and the way I hold my head puts "the spot" in the blurry zone. Going back to my old glasses for shooting sessions lets me focus more clearly. 3. Lousy releases. Stressed mind=rigor mortis string hand. Tonight I was reminding myself to just relax and release.
I'm pretty consistent at 10 yards again. 20 is coming back. 30 still needs some work, but it'll come. Might be a hunt in the works for next weekend after all...
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I hope this trend of improvement continues, brother.
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Thanks, JW. I knew I'd get things figured out.
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Ya I have trouble with my progressive lens also, it all get blurry when I tilt my head at full draw, I had a pair of glasses made with only distance and a small bifocal in the bottom for reading if needed while hunting, also a little bigger, that really helped. Once you learn to shoot it is 90% in your head, some days you are on and some you aren't. I go out and shoot a few arrows and if I ant into it I lay it down and come back another time,if I keep shooting on them bad days it just drains my confidants so I have learned to just lay it down. Good luck with what ever is going on in you life right now, hope it will all get better as I am sure it will. Life is full of ups and downs that's for sure. I truly love archery and bow hunting but a man still has to keep his priorities in check and as much as I love it , it isn't at the top of my priority list. :)
Pappy
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One step at a time! You got the shooting squared away, hopefully, the rest improves soon, as well! Good luck! I had cataract surgery on both eyes and opted for distance vision, still need the readers for close work and bifocal safety glasses when shooting or hunting, sometimes. Haven't experienced the "blur" yet!
Hawkdancer
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I noticed a few years ago that I was getting split vision while shooting (and reading music) and got prisms added to my glasses prescription. I still like to shoot with more of an open stance, because if I really do a full-on "Olympic recurve" stance (or what I think that would be anyway), I end up looking too much out of the edge of my glasses. I can see where progressives would be even worse. I'm glad you figured it out!
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I'll be missing Bow season this year also. Around the first of March my shoulders and neck started hurting real bad after I did two days of chainsaw and ax work. Finally went to the Doctor and had an MRI done and I have two vertebrae squeezing nerves in my neck. Waiting to see the Neurosurgeon right now but Covid has that messed up. And like you, also have the stress factor going now, my house goes on the market October 16 and expect it will sell real fast. Trying to build or buy a place in SC and figure out how to get 25 years of stuff packed and moved to somewhere if I can't find a place in time. I am hunting muzzle loader season next week in SC.
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Eddie, have you thought of using a POD or other similar storage/delivery container companies. They seem pretty reasonable with a long time limit.
Good luck with selling your house. If the real estate market is like here it shouldn't be a problem. Seems to be a sellers market so strat high. You can always come down if needed. :OK
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Pat, we are thinking about the POD's. And the houses are going for crazy prices here and the ones on my street have been selling in just a couple of days after going on the market.
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You might be able to rent a 53' commercial trailer with a lift gate, we used a 26' Uhaul truck and still had to make 4 or 5 runs with our utility trailer, as well as putting a lot of stuff in our camper! But we went from a high market into a low market and had a storage bin, but we only moved about 180 miles. Still sold, gave away, or trashed a lot of stuff! Get some young guys to help with the loading! The Uhaul vendor may have some guys who know what they are doing! Good luck on the hunt! Post pics!
Hawkdancer
PS: After the move, most of what you are looking for will be in a box, likely in the garage! (lol). Very probably for a couple years or more >:D (lol) Trust me, I know! Been there, done that! Good luck with the move. Jerry
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I believe we are going with PODS. Jerry, we have a 550 mile move. But also have to get something to move too.
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Well, I'm whacking the 3d prairie dog out to 20 yards pretty regularly now. Starting to zero in on 30. Missed deer and elk season, but it sure feels good to have my shooting mojo coming back.
Speaking of which...we got a really good offer on our place, so we're probably going to be moving into town. Plus side: I'll have a garage where I can set up a nice bow-building workshop. Minus side: How the heck am I going to shoot my bow in town???
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How the heck am I going to shoot my bow in town???
i shoot in my backyard but i lose to many arrows under the grass so i really just dont shoot anymore. if i ever go hunting my range will be limited severly because i just cant practice at a range of 20-30 yards its more like 15 at max but mostly 5 yrds or 10 yards
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I can shoot maybe 25 yards max if I scrunch up in the corner, which is plenty for me. A good backstop is key! I shoot into a bag that sits in front of the hay bales in front of my compost bin (which has one of those black rubber stall mats hanging on it), which is in front of my 6' wood fence to the alley, and if I really launch one past that, it will hit the neighbor's garage. Unless I am working on flight shooting, I don't think I will ever shoot over the garage...although my kids have shot over the fence!
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Hey, gents. I just need to get this off my chest with some people who might understand. I have a general elk tag, and I was going to pick up a deer tag and take the Badgerling out on her first deer hunt tomorrow. But the way I've been shooting, I don't think I'll even try this year. My arrows are all over the place. Even at ten yards, only about one out of three is on the button. At 20 yards, forget it. I lost an arrow tonight because I missed my 4' square target butt. Pathetic. I'm no Howard Hill, but I'm better than that.
I just can't get my head in the zone. There's too much going on, lots of really unrelenting, stressful decisions needing to be made, demands I don't feel up to meeting. Life is a bit on the rough side right now. My mind all over the place, and my arrows are following. I just can't settle myself enough to make decent shots.
Much respect sir...You sound responsible...We owe it, practice and earn it brother...It will all click for you when you can concentrate...
Don
Wounding an animal and losing it would be worse than nothing. So, I don't think I'm going to be hunting this fall. I spent the whole winter and spring looking forward to September, and now it's here: The mulies will be shedding their velvet, and the raghorns will be starting to get horny, and I'm scared to go out. I don't know what's worse, not being able to hunt, or missing that great feeling that comes with a well-placed arrow. It's a bummer.
OK. Thanks.
Thomas
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Thanks, Don. It's coming back. I'm head-shotting the rabbit target regularly at 10 yards now. Man, that feels good. Usually in the deer-kill zone at 20. Still pretty worthless at 30. :o I might try to go whack a deer at the in-laws' place during rifle season, but now we're packing up Badger Manor for the big move into town, so there might not be time. Sure would like to get some venison in the freezer and a skin or two to work this winter.
But...the shooting is coming back, that's the important thing. If nothing else, I think some rabbits are going to get perforated this winter. 20 yards should be plenty good for that. (SH) (B)
Thanks for the support, guys! Much appreciated.
Thomas
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if you can nail a rabbit head at 10 id say your doing! some of the time i hear people dont shoot past that!! really i guess you could just go out and say that your only going to shoot within that and youd have a better chance at a deer than not! and rabbit tase really good with a stick of butter! (lol) (lol) (SH) (B)
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if you can nail a rabbit head at 10 id say your doing! some of the time i hear people dont shoot past that!! really i guess you could just go out and say that your only going to shoot within that and youd have a better chance at a deer than not! and rabbit tase really good with a stick of butter! (lol) (lol) (SH) (B)
I think that for a lot of back-east stand hunters, guys that really know what they're doing, 10-15 yards is plenty. Around here the country tends to be open, ground cover is very low or non-existent. Even in the mountain forests, 30-50 yard shots are the norm for the wheely boys. If I'm not hitting at 30 yards, my odds of getting a shot are pretty low. It's OK. I missed this season, but I'll be back.
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Bunny head at 10 yards! That is real good shooting! Good luck on the hunt! We can get about 18 yards in the shop, but we're not set up outdoors yet, have to find about 4 straw bales and mow the back "40" ! Hope to get some time to get after deer this week or next, still trying to line up hunting areas, as well.
Hawkdancer
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can you set you bow up,,, so you are point on at 30 yards,,
that always helped me when I was in a slump,,,
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can you set you bow up,,, so you are point on at 30 yards,,
that always helped me when I was in a slump,,,
Yeah, I need to figure out where I'm point on and work from there. I think there isn't as much difference between gap and instinctive shooting as most people think; instinctive shooters just don't do it consciously; split vision is somewhere in between. At least, that's how it seems to work with me. Going back to gap/POA shooting is what helped me out of my last long-distance slump. Good suggestion.
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thanks,, I really got my confidence up, shooting deer with point on,, I raised my anchor, and shot a long arrow, I was point on at 20 yards made a big difference,, at 30 I just aimed a bit high,,maybe 6 inches,,
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sometimes the facts speak for themselves. 4 or 5 years ago I suddenly realized that I was having focus problems and just couldn't see good enough to shoot like I was used to. eyes checked, Macular degeneration was the problem....sort of. So I began getting shots in my left eye and figured that I would never shoot instinctive again. I began taking all kinds of supplaments and viatamins to help and they did for my right eye. Then, after a lot of practice shooting again, I hunted three times, limiting myself to a 10 yaed shot. the second week of Oct 2019, My retina doc suddenly realized that I had a very sagging cornea. Nov 12th, cornea transplant but no heavy lifting of any sort. So sat out Nov and Dec and Jan so far. It takes up to a year to heal but already I am seeing so much better out of it than before. building bows and getting ready for next season. Renewed Hope to hunt again! Jerry