When is good, good enough?

[timberland]

My wife picked up her bow last night for the first time since last fall. Second group at 15 yds was about 3\". Next group at 20 was about 4-5\". group at 30 was about 6\". She gets frustrated thinking that she need to shoot a 2\" at every range because she\'s afraid of wounding an animal. Last year was her first year hunting, missing a buck high. She had aimed a little high and the buck was at 15 not 20. She passed up all kinds of small bucks and does waiting for the perfect shot. Even asked me how we can make them stand at 20, not 21 or 19 yds. Also wants little red dots on them right behind the front shoulder. :lol: I want her to experience success and I have way more confidence in her abilities than she does. Its difficult to explain how real world hunting is different than paper punching and you don\'t have to be \"perfect\" without sounding like I\'m ok with taking risky shots.

She is plenty proficient with the equipment and I tell her the only thing she can do is practice, practice, practice. What other advise can you give?

 

[cnelk]

A 6 inch paper plate is what she needs.
I know the old saying \'Aim Small - Miss Small\' but 6 inches isnt consider large by any means.
Many of us would consider it acceptable to put an arrow in that plate at 20 - 30 - 40 - 50 yards
Its a sense of accomplishment when that arrow hits that paper because you know it is an acceptable size target.

When a person misses, it is usually by A LOT! More than that 6 inches.

 

[timberland]

I know in my heart she is plenty accurate enough, how do I convince her of her abilities?

 

[mtnmutt]

I am not a great shot. In fact, my shooting has gone downhill since I tore 2 tendons in my bow arm last year.

Here is what I do because my bow arm fatigues easily: I shoot one arrow per 3D target. Mostly from a seated or kneeling position because that is how I hunt. I will also vary my distances between 5-25 yards.

My arrow trajectory is not flat at 20 yards. My bow\'s setup has a meager 205 fps. I cannot use my 20 yard pin for a 10 yard and I cannot use either pin for 15 yard & 25 shots. I use gap pin shooting for 15 & 25 yards. For a 14-16 & 24-26 yard shots, gap pin shooting works for my setup. Aiming high or low 1-2 inch using a pin for non 10 incremental yards shots, has been dicey for me.

While out for a walk, I practice estimating distances by pacing off steps after I estimated the distance. This approach doesn\'t work for hills, however, it has built up my confidence in estimating distances. Now that I have a rangefinder, I sometimes take it with me on my walks to practice estimating.

When I go do 3D, I take my rangefinder. However, I make my shot and then I range it. There is no follow up shot after ranging it.

She may just need to practice estimating distances without a rangefinder and only make one shot per target to build up her confidence. 3D shooting at non 10 yards increments may help.

I hate practicing on black and white paper targets. Our range\'s target butts are brown. About the color of an elk\'s hide. I purposely aim for a small spot on the target butt rather than the paper target. This gives me more confidence when I move on to do 3D shooting.

I bet she is a better shot than me. Looking forward to seeing her pictures on the meat pole threads.

 

[Bullnuts]

Have her shoot on a 3D target. Place the pin on the center of the chest and if she misses her mark by 3 inches, it\'s still a good shot. The animal won\'t be in any condition to critique that shot! On the other hand, if she misses the entire vital area, then it\'s time to recognize her limitations and either practice and improve or keep her shots under a distance where her group size is acceptable.

 

[Deertick]

I shoot a 9\" Rinehart ball ... hit ball = hit vital zone.

 

[cohunter14]

My advice would be similar to what has been said...mix up the distances and make her take one shot. No need to worry about group size at 34 yards. What matters is, if you get a 34 yard shot, will you hit your mark?

 

[mainebrdr]

Just encourage her at every opportunity and put her stand so the shots she might get would come closer to 15 yds. than 20 or more. Maybe even encourage her to shoot a doe for her first deer if one is close to give her confidence. Sounds like she is plenty proficient for that!

 

[Swede]

Your wife is not a bad shot at all. Does she get buck fever when it is time to shoot at an animal?

 

[timberland]

She\'s a very good shot. She just needs either a confidence boost or to realize that there is no need for \"perfection\" in the woods due to all the variables we encounter. As far as \"buck fever\" goes, she\'s a cucumber.

 

[Swede]

Barry, that sounds great. My shooting is about on par with your wife\'s. I have never noticed it to be a problem. I just limit my distance, and do not exceed 40 yards max.