![]() This would allow me to feel what a surprise release was and force me to replicate it on every shot. The goal was to draw my bow back a few feet from the target, settle in at anchor, close my eyes and slowly work the release until it fired. I began my retraining process by taking my sight off my bow and focusing solely on getting used to the hinge release while reprogramming my form and shot sequence. Things such as forcing the pin to the center of the target, or trying to hold the pin perfectly still (which is impossible) are common mistakes archers make by consciously trying to do things that aren’t necessary to achieve the desired result. As humans, we have a natural desire to control things, and this is certainly true when shooting a bow. In switching to a hinge release, my goal was to replicate a surprise release on every shot and train my mind to focus on aiming while trusting my form and my bow to do their jobs without interference. This is the oft-discussed “surprise release,” and it’s amazing to see how accurately your arrows fly, even when the exact moment of the shot’s firing catches you off-guard. When used correctly, a hinge release removes the anticipation of the shot, freeing the archer to relax and let the sight pin float on target until the shot breaks. The increasing “expansion” of your bow and release arms during this process will gradually rotate the release aid until it fires. With a hinge-style release, the goal is to come to full draw and then engage your back muscles to “push and pull” the bow apart. It wouldn’t be an easy process, but it was necessary if I wanted to become a consistently successful bowhunter. I needed to retrain my body and mind to shoot properly, and I knew the best way to do that was to get rid of my index-finger release aid and switch to a handheld, hinge-style release. Taken collectively, all these are symptoms of the dreaded “target panic” malady that steals the joy from shooting and makes it virtually impossible to consistently hit where you are aiming.Īs described in the hunt at the start of this article, I unfortunately was stricken with target panic, and without serious treatment, my prognosis wasn’t good. ![]() What a proper shot sequence really boils down to is a “surprise release” and what that method of loosing the bowstring does to cancel “human error.” Human error can be myriad things, from bad form to shot anticipation that leads to flinching to rushing the shot or even the inability to place the sight pin on the desired point of impact. ![]() Of course, this is easier said than done. Many top shooters will describe it as simply doing their job - aiming - while allowing the bow to do its job - shooting the arrow. ![]() In order to be consistently accurate with a bow, archers must repeat a series of events subconsciously while releasing the arrow. Truthfully, the warning signs about my trigger punching had been there for a while I simply refused to see them. I knew it was time for a change, and looking back, I realize that failure was a pivot point that forever changed my mind about release aids and shot execution. Once my pin had hair behind it, I quickly punched the release and sent an arrow right over the buck’s back! Knowing exactly what I had done made for a very long walk back home and really got me thinking about the state of my shooting. He was headed for the scrape a mere 22 yards away from my perch - my plan was working perfectly!Īs the buck reached the scrape and began to work it, I came to full draw and swung my pin onto his chest. Sure enough, it wasn’t long before I could see his antler tips coming through the timber. I knew right away “my buck” was on the move, leaving his bed and approaching my location. That evening, as the sun started to set and the wind calmed, I heard the unmistakable sound of leaves crunching due west of my stand. All I needed now was a little luck that resulted in “the perfect 10” showing himself before dark. The wind direction was perfect for my entry route, and I had things planned perfectly so no deer could see me as I slipped into my spot. My stand was prepped and in place, with a shooting lane to the big scrape nearby. The stage was set I had perfect weather, including a cold front out of the north.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |