Shooting Right

[RAF]

Since I've owned my bow, (2 years) I've shot a lot of arrows at targets and I'm getting good groups right where I want them. I've have pins for 20, 30 and 40 yrds. For hunting purposes I built a stand on a small hill next to several game trails and when you combine the height of the stand and the hill, I'm 15 or 16 feet above the passing deer. The stand works well and many unsuspecting deer pass me within range. I've shot two and the past two seasons. The question is, why do I shoot to the right by as much 12 inches from up there. The 12 inches is at 30 yds. I found this out when I built the stand by shooting at targets so now I allow for it. I've even attached a level to my sights but it doesn't seem to help. Any thoughts.

[ma]

RAF said:

Since I've owned my bow, (2 years) I've shot a lot of arrows at targets and I'm getting good groups right where I want them. I've have pins for 20, 30 and 40 yrds. For hunting purposes I built a stand on a small hill next to several game trails and when you combine the height of the stand and the hill, I'm 15 or 16 feet above the passing deer. The stand works well and many unsuspecting deer pass me within range. I've shot two and the past two seasons. The question is, why do I shoot to the right by as much 12 inches from up there. The 12 inches is at 30 yds. I found this out when I built the stand by shooting at targets so now I allow for it. I've even attached a level to my sights but it doesn't seem to help. Any thoughts.

Most shooters that experience this is due to not keeping your upper body relationship to the bow the same in a stand.

Great care has to be taken to use your hips as a pivot point when "bending" down to shoot. Keeping upper body in same relation as on the ground is harder than most think.

When teaching new shooters from a stand I will have them draw the bow on a level plane as if on the ground first and then pivot at the hips downward to target acquistion.

For some reason when we first start to pull at a downward target we tend to bow in our shoulders and neck (with chin downward). This is not how you setup on the ground therefore will change left / right position the same as moving centershot in and out.

Have had a few shooters who just could not keep this body relationship the same when "bowing down" and had to sight in / setup from the stand, then would be the opposite direction on the ground.

The shorter and faster a bow is the more maginfied this problem can become. A longer more "forgiving" bow can also help. But is just a crutch for poor form. Not intending to imply poor form but you get my drift I hope.

Hope not to be confusing.

[RAF]

Savage Shooter. Thanks for the reply. I've heard this before, but was told it corrected shooting high. Last week I shot over a deer at 30 yds with my 30 yd pin. Another one came out a short time later and used my 20 yd pin and that one is in the freezer. It's hard to remember to bend at the hips when a deer suddenly appears without notice. Originally I thought my problem stemmed from the way I held the bow. When I'm shooting at targets I don't grip the handle. I have the handle in the web between my thumb and hand and the strap prevents the bow from falling after the shot. I keep catching myself with a solid grip on the bow when I draw on a deer. The only thing I can do is more practice but now is not the time to head to the stand with a target. The only way I could practice at home would be to go up on the roof of the house but then some of my neighbors would get excited, make a few phonecalls and suddenly be surrounded by the SWAT team.

[Tenbears]

Shooting consistently requires one to Maintain the same form at all times. It takes a lot of practice to develop good form. practice until it becomes second nature. And you do everything the same every time. Bu doing this when you make the slightest change in form. it will feel unnatural to you.
Another point to remember. Is that most people practice from the standing position, on level ground. although this is not a bad thing. One cannot develop a good form in other situations if they rarely shoot from them. For this reason I always recommend that avid hunters practice in a variety of positions. Ie: sitting, twisted around to one side. Kneeling, and even crouched. if you practice in this manor when you can think about grip, string position, and anchor point. Then when the excitement that occurs when a deer is present will not be so likely to change your form.
And YES, changing the grip you have on your bow will change the way the bow torque's when shot.

[bubba]

how about the chance the wind is different up there on the hill as well?

OR, more likely (IMO) you are using broadheads rather than target points and they are plane-ing on you.

-bubba

[RAF]

Babba. I use a mechanical broadhead that I'm told behave like field points. I have shot field points from there and they also shoot right. I think it's grip of not bending a the hip.

[bubba]

RAF

gotcha, I use mechanicals for the same reason - never had them fail me either ( vortex brand ).

-bubba

[bowpro1]

Shorten yourdraw length a little bit. and don't punch the release.

[ABinMD]

I think Savage Shooter is right on the money about pivoting with the hips when in the stand, while keeping everything with the upper body the same as on ground. And yes it is harder than some people think.

[Pocampo]

RAF,
I personally think that you are gripping the bow when drawing down on a deer in anticipation of the shot causing muscle tension and when releasing you are torqueing the bow along with a little arm movement in the excitement to see where the arrow hit. Also there could be a little stress from hunting off the ground from a safety standpoint if not totally comfortable with your stand.

The follow through is just as important as all the other aspects of shooting and often is the one factor that decides hits and misses.

As for the sight, why not just install a good pendulum sight and your good to go all the way out to 30yds and some flat shooting bows 40+ yards with one pin and it takes all the guess work out.

Now you have one less thing to worry about and more time to concentrate on the mechanics of the shot.
Pocampo

[RAF]

I agree with the grip. Not nervous up in my stand. It's 6 x 6 and has 8' walls. Here's a picture

[Pocampo]

RAF,
I see what you mean that is a big stand. That sure is a fine looking deer condominium if ever there was one. ;D Looks like plenty of room for a sleeping bag and all the gear necessary to stay awhile in total comfort. Looks like plenty of room for 2 guys, hint, hint
Pocampo

[RAF]

No problem. This picture was taken last year just before the season. We were adding new camoflage(new leaves and branches). Was by there today. Haven't had a chance to use it this year and no hiding up there as it's pretty bare. Next year though. This "perch" is about 300 yds from the new ground blind I used today and took 2 deer with my 10 ml

[jjw]

Wow what a stand RAF! All you need is a tv, some cable and a craper and you can live there. From all of your contributions on this forum, you are obviously a very devoted hunter, actually much more like hunting and shooting and such is a religion to you. Nice job on your deer from today as well.
As far as shooting, it simply takes practice and knowing your faults. The better you know yourself, in regards to shooting, the better you will shoot.

[RAF]

JJW. too far to run cable but might consider a satelite system ;D. As far as a crapper, well it's all around me, trees everywhere . Could live there, but way too many skeeters , but there's food all around me . I do practice a lot but I think, shooting right from up there is a mechanical thing on my part . Next summer we'll be back out there camoflaging the stand. We have a little picnic area complete with tables for weenie roasts and will have to try some of the advice I've gotten here and elsewhere

[jjw]

I very much believe that enough practice, no matter what it may be for, will enable you to conquer your faults. keep with it and good luck.