Staying sharp with archery practice

Big game season has closed for the year, and you have put the bow away. You’re not alone. Very few archers use their bow outside of hunting season. If you are one of those people, you are really missing out on some incredible fun. Archery is one of the few activities that can be enjoyed at any time of the year. You cannot say that about any sports in Canada. Indoor archery in the wintertime, outdoor archery in the summertime, then rolling into hunting season. There is no reason to put the bow away. You can shoot your bow every day of the year. Improve aim with friends One of the best ways to expand your group of friends is to join a local fish and game club. You will meet people who share the same interests as you. Indoor target archery is a great way to beat the winter blahs. Getting together to shoot some arrows and chat about the last season experiences is a great social activity. This is the time to finetune your shooting skills. Chances are, someone at the club will be an accomplished archer and can help you become a better shot. That may come from a simple shooting form adjustment, or an equipment adjustment. Whichever it is, the help will make you a more consistent archer. Once the weather breaks, you and your friends can switch to the club’s outdoor 3D archery range. 3D archery simulates hunting situations with targets shaped like animals set at distances from 20 to 50 yards. It is one of the best ways to improve your hunting skills, offering various shot possibilities. When you step up to the shooting stake, you must analyze the shot: Is it uphill or downhill? Is the target broadside or angled? Is it in a dark hole or bright sunlight? Practicing these scenarios will make you more precise when it counts next fall. Estimating Range One challenge of 3D shooting is estimating the target distance. No matter how fast your arrow travels, it will arc, and misjudging by even a few yards can result in a miss. Accurate distance estimation is a crucial skill for hunters, as there may be times when using a rangefinder isn't an option. This skill could be the difference between getting your deer or not. Everyone has their method for estimating yardage. Some pick a spot 20 yards away