What motivates you to shoot?

[2rocky]

Last Night I left work late since I had to pick up a truck from the shop and I was ready to bag 3D night.

I get home and My 7 year old daughter meets me at the door, boots on, and tells me "Dad I loaded your Bow and my bow so we can go to 3D right away."

Well what could I say. We went and shot and I had the best time shooting ever...

Last year...

 

[NVBird'n'Big]

Very cool rocky!

 

[Timberstalker]

That's awesome rocky!

 

[25contender]

If that is not motivation enough I don't know what else is!!

 

[Engideer]

That is great! There is nothing better than getting to pass on a hobby that you love to your kids!

 

[CoHiCntry]

Timberstalker... Looks like you've found some motivation! I'm kinda in the same boat you were in. I love bow hunting but have never been as excited as others about archery in general and find it hard to stay motivated to shoot regularly. Especially on off years when I won't be bow hunting at all (like this year). I have both rifle and muzzleloader tags this year that will take up my whole season. I've been all over the board when it comes to archery. Started several years ago with a compound, decided I wanted to switch to a longbow, then decided to get out of archery all together and concentrate on muzzleloader hunting. That obviously wasn't a smart decision because now only 6 months later I've already purchased back the exact same compound I had to begin with (Mathews Helim). My wife must think I've lost my mind with all the selling, mind changing, and re-buying that's been going on! I've often wondered why archery isn't as intriguing to me as it is to most guys? I will say however that since I've been all over the place on this issue I feel more at peace with the decision to continue with archery and motivated to shoot more than I have in the past. Guess I had to take the long way around. All that to say... Your not alone!

 

[Timberstalker]

Timberstalker... Looks like you've found some motivation! I'm kinda in the same boat you were in. I love bow hunting but have never been as excited as others about archery in general and find it hard to stay motivated to shoot regularly. Especially on off years when I won't be bow hunting at all (like this year). I have both rifle and muzzleloader tags this year that will take up my whole season. I've been all over the board when it comes to archery. Started several years ago with a compound, decided I wanted to switch to a longbow, then decided to get out of archery all together and concentrate on muzzleloader hunting. That obviously wasn't a smart decision because now only 6 months later I've already purchased back the exact same compound I had to begin with (Mathews Helim). My wife must think I've lost my mind with all the selling, mind changing, and re-buying that's been going on! I've often wondered why archery isn't as intriguing to me as it is to most guys? I will say however that since I've been all over the place on this issue I feel more at peace with the decision to continue with archery and motivated to shoot more than I have in the past. Guess I had to take the long way around. All that to say... Your not alone!

I guess the guys here are what it took! Thanks guys! It's nice to know I'm not the only one CoHigh

 

[Maxhunter]

Yep gotta love it when the kids are interested.

 

[velvetfvr]

On target shooting techniques, does everyone shoot for groups at the same spot on their target? I tend to pick one spot for each arrow, my bag has 16 dots, each arrow is shot at a separate dot and I gauge accuracy based on that. At $10/arrow and with no reflecting equipment, I am wary of damaging arrows. I'm no Robin Hood but I have taken off vanes in the past and have seen guys break arrows while grouping. Am I doing something wrong and missing out on a better practice or is it a to each their own kind of sitch?

I use different dots most of the time. Or I will find a spot where I haven't hit and focus on that spot. When I shoot like 20 or 30, I usually have an arrow on the left side of the heart. Then I put one on the right and on my third arrow I try and sink it right between both

 

[DanPickar]

I practice because I don't want to miss any animals next season. I hate missing and will shoot as much as I can squeeze in year round to build my confidence and skill. They best practice you can do is shoot at live animals. So I go gopher hunting with my bow as much as possible. If you don't have gophers, try for your neighbors cat. That'll livin' up your practice. ;-)

 

[Timberstalker]

I practice because I don't want to miss any animals next season. I hate missing and will shoot as much as I can squeeze in year round to build my confidence and skill. They best practice you can do is shoot at live animals. So I go gopher hunting with my bow as much as possible. If you don't have gophers, try for your neighbors cat. That'll livin' up your practice. ;-)

I would love to pratice on our 2 cats. I don't think the girls would be too happy with me however!

I haven't had time to shoot for a few days now, planning on it tonight though.

 

[JasonGNV]

I'm actually fond of the cat sized jack rabbits, need to get some of those anti-snaking gizmos tho. Hate searching through sage brush for 30 minutes only to walk away $10 poorer!

 

[packmule]

I hear hot pink vanes make them easier to locate.

 

[Katie]

I joined a couple different archery ranges so I have variety and walk the range shooting just 2 or 3 arrows at each target. I love being outdoors, so the indoor ranges are a drag for me. My motivation is to get better to be ready for whatever shot I may have while hunting - LOVE going to the 3-D competitions too. Who cares if you're good - I went to the Redding Bigfoot shoot this year and I was better than half of them that have been doing this for years and got LOTS of great tips from the old timers. As with most things, it is always more fun to do with someone that shares a passion for whatever hobby you are doing - the competitions are great places to meet those people. I started archery in the last 6 months and have had to work hard to find people to help teach me - it actually breaks my heart you don't love it!!!!

 

[tdcour]

For me, every cent counts, so losing arrows and joining ranges really don't go over well with me. Here is what I do and how I started doing it. I've been shooting my bow for 5 years now and love it. It is relaxing to me even if my groups aren't that great. Basically my mindset started that I wanted to be able to shoot better, wanted to learn about archery in general, and wanted to enjoy shooting. Of course, shooting better typically means you will enjoy it more, so this is what I did. I bought the biggest target I could find (24x24) and a couple of small square straw bales. I put the target in front of the bales. Even if I miss the target, they hit the straw and either stay in the bale, or if they go through they don't go far. I also started shooting on the farm, sides of roads, and pretty much any public land I could find. If you have a place to permanently set something up, put your target in front of a rubber truck bed liner that is hung up. That will save you arrows and range costs.

I also like to shoot out to 100 when I can, like others have said. It comes with practice, but is still a lot of fun. Just try not to take it too seriously and take the fun away.

 

[d.kerri]

As if you haven't had enough responses.....

I love the element of focus involved in shooting my bow. I let my life be too busy, so time on the range is time where I can strictly focus on the many mental checks that begin with the draw and end with the follow through. When I'm not shooting well, it's because my focus is off.

The other element I love is the challenge of always improving. It's really not much deeper than that- I just love the challenge.

 

[Timberstalker]

Dang, it's been 3 weeks since I shot last. I had a busy month at work and summer Basket ball for the 2 daughters. I need to get back out there. I even brought my bow camping over the weekend, I never took it out of the case.

 

[25contender]

Come on now only two months till the first shot counts!!

Dang, it's been 3 weeks since I shot last. I had a busy month at work and summer Basket ball for the 2 daughters. I need to get back out there. I even brought my bow camping over the weekend, I never took it out of the case.

 

[Timberstalker]

Come on now only two months till the first shot counts!!

I know! I nearly shot the bow the other day, but I was so relaxed sitting there with the family that I didn't feel like leaving them all to go shoot. I need to find a couple youth bows for the daughters, it would be more fun to shoot with them.

 

[Timberstalker]

It's been 2 months since I started this thread. I was shooting good for me last week, I was feeling pretty good to 50 yards. I thought I needed a bigger peep since I couldn't see the entire sight ring, I did that and bough 6 new arrows. I have shot the last 2 nights and I am shooting like s__t. I have lost 2 of the 6 new arrows I bought and cant hit the broad side of a barn, what the hell is the deal? It's like I haven't shot in 2 years, I only have 6 weeks till I leave for Wyoming and all the confidence I had is now gone. I feel like the more I shoot the worse I get.