Ever heard the saying “Practice Makes Perfect”? Well that applies here. Many sportsmen/women shoot their bows throughout the year to get ready for hunting. The closer season gets, the more you practice. It’s wise to prepare to release an arrow in a new season.

Shooting

When August gets here that means bow season is just around the corner. It’s time for all your preparations and plans to really come together. It’s also a good month to get all your gear and equipment ready to go. With that in mind, it’s time for my shooting practice to switch gears. Shooting with the mentality of what a hunt may bring.

Now if your wondering what I mean by that… It’s basically switching from just shooting a target to visualize shooting a deer or any wild game you plan to hunt. Referring to your experiences and applying that to how you practice. Like when and how to draw back, ranging their distance beforehand, and even knowing your abilities to adapt if circumstances change. 

To clearify even more, let’s dig a little deeper…

Shooting from a variety of conditions and lighting shows you what to expect from your equipment. Whether it’s well lit, shaded, or slightly windy. Shooting from different ranges gives you insight on how to aim if your game isn’t standing at a specifically pinned yardage. 

Sitting
Shoot Sitting

It’s wise to shoot while sitting and standing because you might shoot differently from either position. How will you handle obstacles in your way? Like a limb or bush. You need to know when to work around it or wait to make the shot. Always be ethical with your decision.

Drawing Back
Drawing Back

When you draw back, be aware of what’s all out in front of you.  You never know when your being watched. When target shooting, visualize them out there and practice discreetly drawing back while remaining aware. Quickly get on your target, focus, aim for the vitals, and let it fly. 

 Shooting with your range finder will show you the best way to do it while hunting. That plus you’ll want to know if it’ll effect how you shoot in any way as well. 

Baby On Back Endurance
Strength & Endurance

Testing your strength and endurance is always a good idea too. So how do I do it? Well I could either use my hunting pack but mostly I’ll just have my toddler on my back in his carrier. His unpredictable movements present the perfect way to test my abilities because even your environment could change on you. Plus the weight tests your stability and strength of endurance.

Challenges & Mishaps

Somedays it’s even a challenge in itself just to get out and shoot. Just one arrow could make the difference and it’s up to you on reaching your goals. So do what you can to achieve those goals. Opportunities don’t happen, you create them. Always make a total effort even when the odds are against you. 

Popped String
Popped String

Mishaps and setbacks will come at you from any direction. They got me with my bow string popping and major sore muscles. So I took some down time to rest but mentally continued to prepare for the hunt season. It’s always smart to be as prepared as possible for any circumstances.

Aiming

Summary

So to sum it all up, it’s important to mentally prepare for different circumstances that could be presented. Stay focused on your goals, aim for what is true, and you’ll always successfully hit your mark. 

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