Shooting in the heat!!!

[Wudstix]

How do you guys handle shooting in the heat.  Especially, Texas heat!!!  I can't seem to get more than a half dozen shoots and I'm shot!!!

[Alexander Traditional]

I go early in the morning,barely light. Because as you know it stays hot well after dark.

[Wudstix]

That may be my only option!!!  Getting out of bed like I was going hunting.

[Alexander Traditional]

Yeah that's what I do. I'll be up with the mutt drinking coffee,and just slip out back. We were fortunate this year and actually had a spring.

[Wudstix]

Maybe I should back down about 15# so that I don't generate so much heat shooting!!!  Naw, then I'd have to buy all new arrows!  Definitely tab weather!!!

[Friend]

I have often shot out of the pole barn while using an industrial fan which provided much comfort...

[katman]

Hydrate well helps. You acclimate to it after a while, but it is still hot.
AM its cooler but more humidity, PM hotter but lower humidity, I usually shoot late evening and hope for a breeze.

[STICKBENDER98]

Wud, I let my groups tell me when to shoot, we don't get a lot of heat..so to speak here in Michigan, but we get a lot of humidity.  It was a nice night tonight, not hot, not humid, but my head wasn't into it, so I stopped before I was frustrated. I had a good night a couple nights ago, my job tends to dictate that I shoot later at night and weekends when I get them.  I try to use my shooting as a stress relief but it doesn't always work, like tonight.  I'll give it a go again tomorrow night.  This is the joy of traditional archery.   


Jason

[GCook]

I too try to get a few arrows out in the early morning but I shoot most evenings too.  Shorts, t shirt and bug spray because the mosquitoes are ferocious.  Last night I shot after dark.  Last two weeks doing heavy work with steel I was worn out and rested a couple hours after a shower.  But then the need to shoot got me up and I got several good arrows in from 17 to 20 yards.
Heat is easier for me to deal with than cold.  Neuropathy has changed things over the years.  I'm sure working in the heat makes it less oppressive compared to office workers as well.
Bottom line is you love it enough to deal with it or you don't.

[Pat B]

Shoot early in the morning or late in the afternoon when it usually is slightly cooler. Also, even if you can only shoot a 6 to 12 arrows each session that should be enough to keep your ability up if you have been shooting regularly for a while.
I used to shoot 50 to 100 arrows a day and did so for a few years. After a while I found that by thoughtfully shooting a dozen or so arrows each session kept me is good standing with my shooting. 

[Wudstix]

Early mourning in the pre-dawn light is the way I'll have to go.

[Alexander Traditional]

Early mourning in the pre-dawn light is the way I'll have to go.

Yeah that way you can work on your other thread about shooting in low light. Two birds with one stone,gotta love it!

[Wudstix]

 

[todd smith]

Move to Michigan!   

[GCook]

It is hot.  But I'd live in hell and rent out Texas before I'd move to Michigan. 
Seriously though I was working out some wood shafts yesterday for my new Primal Tech two piece bow with my local arrowsmith/string builder/champion archer friend and I shot on and off for hours as we visited and he worked out shaft length until the flight was right.  It was hot.  His shop isn't air conditioned and neither is his outdoor range.  But some water and limiting time in the direct sun vs shade, a decent breeze outside and a fan in the shop.  For me it was comfortable enough.   But real hot weather hasn't hit yet.  It was only 105 yesterday.
For the record he did a great job.  I brought the test arrow home and stuck a broadhead on it for the real test and shot a few this morning.   From 15 to 25 yards those pinwheeling fetching flew perfectly straight down to and on target.  Shooting in the heat ain't but a thing if you really wanna shoot.  You know, instead of looking for a reason not to.[attachment=1,msg3034261]

[Wudstix]

I get up in the dark and shoot in pink light.  Simulates hunting conditions for deer and hogs.  That way the temp is below 80.

[Wudstix]

Finally got some rain late this afternoon and it cooled to 88 by 8pm.  So I went out the shot mv Big River D/R longbow from my new hunting chair.  Took timr to enjoy the cool between shots.

[Wudstix]

If you want to shoot you go early or late.  Early is cooler (80) and late is usually under 100 right before dark.

[MCNSC]

The little I've shot lately is right before dark. Then go in and get a cool shower.

[Wudstix]

We've had a couple cooler evenings, sub 100 degree at 7pm.  I've snuck out and thrown a handful of arrows.