Hey Guys,

I've been shooting regularly, almost everyday, for about 4 months now with mixed success. Sometimes I'm spot on, most of the time my groups are still too big. But my first shots are always off the most. This concerns me, since you only get one shot at the deer. Any suggestions on how I can improve?

Before taking your first shot do 5-10 let down drills where you come onto target but don't release. After the warm up start shooting. I do this both on the range and when I get I to my tree stand - works well.

Good advice Rossco. Thanks

I do that in the deer stand a lot, cant say it is perfect practice, but I'll pick a pine cone and make several draws on it just holding at anchor trying to visualize my shot.  Seems to calm me down anyway.

Practicing on close bales with no target has helped me A LOT! Try focusing on form as much as most people focus on hitting a spot. Find the form that feels most comfortable and repeatable and ingrain it in your subconscious.

Blank bale, blank bale, blank bale...I know it sounds boring but you should try it.

I am pretty new to archery but I have realized that form is everything! If you find the best form for you and ingrain it in your subconscious you will get better and better faster!

What FarmerMarley said, x 2.

Carry a judo point and fling a couple before you climb into the stand on the way in. If it's dark fling a couple near the car headlights. Helps loosen the shooting muscles.

Thanks for the replies. I think part of my problem is there seems to be too many things I need to be aware of. My mind gets bogged down in the details. And everything starts to feel contorted. Nothing seems natural right now.

Go immediately to the blank bale! Do not pass go, do not collect $200. What you've just described is the perfect reason to shoot blank bale...to ingrain form until you don't have to think about it.