Shooting one arrow

[pavan]

It can become a mental issue. Last night I was trying to see how tight i could put six 1918 aluminum arrows in a deer target from about 18 or 19 yards while sitting.  I had a tight group of 4 arrows, the fifth arrow blew up one, stuck in the pack.  The next group I had a tight group of three going, when I went to shoot the fourth and fifth shot, when I saw, that I was going to be right the money, I pushed them off to the side a bit at the last instant with the release.  I have never shot a deer that had an arrow nock installed, for me to aim at.  Nothing wrong with shooting one arrow.

[bigbadjon]

Shooting one arrow makes sense for practice for me. However it seems like the first shot would be the hardest shooting at a blind target. After that you will have a brightly  colored fletch to draw the eye to the spot.

[Terry Green]

Terry, I have been shooting traditional for about 7 years. Age 16 to 23. I feel your comment about it being a psychological issue is correct. I'm an instinctive shooter, and have trouble with my mind wandering after a few shots.

Ha!.... I had the same issue years and years ago. This will go away in time probably sooner than later at this point... Especially since you have addressed it here.

What you probably are doing is thinking about grouping..... Instead of concentrating on your spot..... Your group has  Become more important than your spot psychologically.

It also shouldn't hinder you at all on game, as that is a totally different live  Shot  Scenario.

And, don't let the harbingers of doubt put monsters in your head that don't pertain to you.

So don't worry about it too much at this point.... Just go hunt in this fall and have fun.

[6feathers]

I am pretty much a 1 arrow guy. if I use 2 arrows they will be from different distances.

[OkKeith]

Well... from what I read on skill development a lot of it says that repetition of a correct form is the key to developing the muscle memory that allows us to make a repeatable shot under stress (I don't think muscle memory is the "in" word for it now though).

I have the attention span of a young cocker spaniel, so tend to shoot groups of arrows in small numbers just so I can maintain focus. For me... it seems like if I am trying to work on something (part of my form, release, follow-through or whatever), I am better served by shooting a group to see if my adjustments are bearing fruit.

I know that in the other shooting disciplines that I do, constant repetition with good focus is the key. Pounding it shot, after shot, after shot on one target presentation CORRECTLY gets me where I don't really have to make a conscious thought on how to make the shot when in competition (or a hunting situation). I also work on WHEN to hard focus as well (again, more valuable in my other shooting disciplines than in my archery perhaps). I think I read somewhere that we can only truly hard focus for about one and half seconds and training might be able to improve that to three.

I like shooting one arrow at a time from different distances and angles but it's a different kind of practice I think than concentrating on shooting form and such. I guess it comes down to what is good practice for each individual or what it is you are trying to improve with the practicing.

OkKeith

[McDave]

I like the idea of shooting one arrow, and do that a lot. When I'm not happy with that one arrow, I like to shoot another one from the same spot right away, to correct whatever I did wrong on the first shot, while the muscle memory of that shot is still fresh.

[Terry Green]

Guys,  Keep in mind....Subconscious muscle memory has nothing to do with conscious psychological issues.....

No extra monsters need be applied. 

Thx....

[JonCagle]

Thanks for the kind words and constructive input everyone

[Skates 2]

Good Stuff for sure.  I'm sure you will do fine.