...as far as practice and accuracy goes.  For me, I like to shoot out to the longest distance that I will take a shot at the animal that I'm hunting (ie. 20 yds for deer, 25 for elk, 10-15 for rabbit, etc.)  Then if I get at least 90% of my practice shots in the kill zone for that animal, it gives me the confidence to make that shot when it counts.  BTW, my max. yardages will change with how I'm shooting at the time.  Do you guys have other tests for yourself?

I always shoot a few arrows before going to my stand. My ability to shoot that day determines my effective range for that hunt. Some days I'm confident to 30+ on whitetail, others it may only be 15 yards. Just like every one else I have off days, and it's not fair to the game to shoot past your effective range. That's my method.

I'm always ready to hunt. I like to fire a few shots before heading out, even if its blind shooting in the dark at close range.

Bottom line is myself and friends shoot all year.
If we miss 6 to 10 days without shooting We have withdrawls.
Ron

mbbushman I like that scenerio. what I use. Unless of coarse it's a MONSTER.  
Still waiting for my frist deer tradiational.
Force to breakdown the wheely to insure I don't pick it up..LOL

I was born ready to hunt! I always bring a few judos along and shoot them randomly while I am hunting.

When ever you want!!!!! I applaud folks for trying to be "ethical" bet I also believe in being "realistic"!!!!!

Many a "Great Shot" has hit and lost an animal for no apparent reason.....They are hit,and don't bleed.....or don't "go down" like they should.If we all waited untill we were a "perfect" shooter.....none of us would ever hunt.

Set realistic goals for yourself and when you feel your ready.....     GO HUNTING!!!!!

I shoot a lot all year, and always take some practice shots before i go hunting so I'm ready whenever the time comes to head out to the woods. I keep my shots around 20 paces and under the closer the better up to a point. I'm ready right now!

I'm always ready. I say don't hunt if you have to ask your self 'am I ready?'

you can hunt even if you can't hit a barn door at twenty feet...if you are willing to set your shooting limit at 10 feet!

Hunt...unless the shot is there...then SHOOT.

Hunting is the pursuit of game....the kill is the icing on the cake.

I agree with Ray 100%.

Well Said Ray!          

I have to always be ready---I dont know when the wife will let me out  :D

Now!  I'm ready.

As others have said, I'm always ready to hunt.

My effective range might change, but I'm always ready.

Robert

When a season is open!

I shoot all year. I'll probably never be a great shot, but I am confident out to about 25 yards. Realistically, I probably won't shoot over 20 at a whitetail. I always carry a couple of judos with me and take a shot or two on the way to my stand (if there is enough light). I also take at least one shot from my stand before I get out of it. It could be at a leaf, a squirrel or a deer. I also draw and aim from every angle that I would actually take a shot.

When season opens, I am ready. Heck, I'm ready even when season is closed!

I agree with the others as far as always being ready, but I did do something similar to you the other day. I called it the LD-50. Some may remember from biology classes that LD-50 is a dose of chemical that would kill 50% of test subjects. So, because I'm a scientific dork, I wanted to know the distance at which I could reliably get 50% of my shots in the kill zone(15" round). Plus, if you haven't done any long distance shooting, it's really fun. Anyway, my LD-50 was right around 55 yards.  Interestingly enough, I have only slightly better accuracy from 35 yards and out.

What Ray and Chuck said. Shawn

When my freezer is empty. lol

QuoteOriginally posted by woodchucker:

Set realistic goals for yourself and when you feel your ready.....        GO HUNTING!!!!!

I agree, You will get the feeling when it's time to hunt for live game.