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I had an interesting question asked of me in a recent email. The e-mail read: I’ve been hunting strictly with my bow now for close to two-years. I’m enjoying it, but I’ve had some struggles. I’ve found that I procrastinate shooting my rig. Three weeks before season I grab my bow and start cramming. This method has proved to be, well, not so good. I want to shoot more, but I work long hours and have a family. So I ask you, “How much practice is enough?”

Here is my response, which I believe is valid advice for any archer: Early in my archery career I struggled with the above-mentioned problem. Finding time to shoot arrows with a fulltime job, two young children and a wife is tricky business—so naturally I pushed my shooting routine aside. My big noticing was that I managed to get my chance in the woods, but unfortunately, the result included a broadhead buried in a tree and not my quarry. I knew something had to change. It ‘s pointless to dream about successful hunting if we do nothing to promote it. I got tired of returning to camp with tales of errant arrows.

Honestly, it’s hard to say how much practice is enough, but here’s what I’ve learned. Practice improves muscle memory, and muscle memory makes that bow feel like an extension of your body rather than some awkward vertical machine. By not picking up the bow regularly, muscle memory begins to fade. To keep this from happening I try to shoot everyday. Do I always get this done? No, I most certainly do not—life happens and things come up. However, for the past couple of years I’ve never gone more than three days without firing some arrows. And it’s important to know that not every shooting regimen has to be a long one. Sometimes time only allows for me to step into my backyard and fire two or three arrows. Remember, it’s not the number of arrows you fire, but rather that each arrow you fire is done so with perfect concentration. Personally, I believe that firing a handful of high-concentration shots is always better than engaging in a nonchalant, rapid-fire mode.

The more consistent you become with your practice routine, the more animals that will hit the ground this fall. Treat practicing as part of your daily schedule. Give up an hour of television or run out and shoot one really focused arrow during a commercial.

More shooting tips coming soon. God Bless and Good Hunting.

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