2 cups of coffee

catman529

catman529

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I've been shooting almost every day (at least 4-5 days a week) for the past 2-3 weeks or so. I have done the same each time - 12 shots, 4 at 30 and 8 at 20. Yesterday was the best so far, didn't pull any shots and had tight groups. Today, I had 2 cups of strong black coffee. I stopped at 8 shots, my groups went from tennis ball size to cantaloupe size. Still enough to kill a deer, but terrible compared to yesterday's shooting. I can usually drink one cup of coffee and still shoot good, but 2 is no good for archery. I never drink coffee in the stand or before hunting. Just my tip for those who like caffeine. I don't usually drink sundrop either until after the hunt.
 
Yep I'm sensitive to caffeine...always have been. The stuff makes me jumpy and nervous.

Oddly enough you can learn a lot about shooting when buzzing on caffeine. Think of the adrenaline rush when you are drawing on a deer. Physically many of the same processes are happening during "buck fever" as when you get a coffee buzz.

Try again and see if you can tighten your groups up a bit. Its actually good practice.
 
If you really want to simulate drawing on a deer...exercise and then immediately grab the bow and take the best shot you can take!

I do this a couple times a year. I will go on a jog and then immediately pick up the bow and take a shot while my heart is beating 140-150 beats per minute. Its great feedback.
 
Yeah I have thought of that. If I can shoot good on caffeine or adrenaline rush I can do better with actual deer
 
For me shooting with an elevated heart rate and shooting with the shakes from caffeine are different . If I'm nervous at a big tournament or being filmed shooting a target etc.. I usually make better shots , I like the pressure I think . But at Tuscaloosa this year I drank a whole Dr. Pepper before my first round . It was terrible , I could see my heart beat in my scope and my hands were shaking crazily . I try not to drink caffeine at all now if I'm going to be shooting . But I sure do love my Dr. Pepper in the mornings .
 
bowhunter163 said:
For me shooting with an elevated heart rate and shooting with the shakes from caffeine are different . If I'm nervous at a big tournament or being filmed shooting a target etc.. I usually make better shots , I like the pressure I think . But at Tuscaloosa this year I drank a whole Dr. Pepper before my first round . It was terrible , I could see my heart beat in my scope and my hands were shaking crazily . I try not to drink caffeine at all now if I'm going to be shooting . But I sure do love my Dr. Pepper in the mornings .
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Being a fireman I'm sure you're able to channel some of that adrenaline though.
 
UTGrad said:
bowhunter163 said:
For me shooting with an elevated heart rate and shooting with the shakes from caffeine are different . If I'm nervous at a big tournament or being filmed shooting a target etc.. I usually make better shots , I like the pressure I think . But at Tuscaloosa this year I drank a whole Dr. Pepper before my first round . It was terrible , I could see my heart beat in my scope and my hands were shaking crazily . I try not to drink caffeine at all now if I'm going to be shooting . But I sure do love my Dr. Pepper in the mornings .
Click to expand...

Being a fireman I'm sure you're able to channel some of that adrenaline though.
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That might be it , my heart rate is elevated daily in my field . Lots of caffeine and copious amounts of alcohol the night before definitely mess with my shooting though lol
 
UTGrad said:
I quit drinking a year and a half ago...haven't touched a drop. Its improved my nerves dramatically lol
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I drink moderately and a lot less during deer season. Having to get up at 330 am makes me not want to drink anything the night before.
 
UTGrad said:
I quit drinking a year and a half ago...haven't touched a drop. Its improved my nerves dramatically lol
Click to expand...
with a 7 yr old and a newborn I definitely don't drink very often . Don't have the time . But for some reason I thought it would be a good idea the night before one of the KOS series shoots this year . That went over about as well as the Tuscaloosa Dr. Pepper debacle . Haha . Usually my float stays inside the 10 ring on a 3-D target , but on those days my float wasn't staying on the target . Lol

Moral of the story , no Dr. Pepper or Alcohol for me if I'm doing anything archery related the next day .
 
I've been shooting almost daily since FEB. Shooting indoor bullseye tourneys and 3d on the weekends.

What I have started doing in mid July is

Instead of trying to shoot for absolute best pinpoint accuracy. I know I can do that.

I am working on shooting outside my comfort zone. Shooting much faster than I would normally shoot say in a 3d tournament or if I was trying to shoot a impressive group for someone.

What I am finding is the mechanics are all there. The fundamentals are all there. My groups are opening up but not as much as you would suspect.

On my 3D target I am still sinking in all kill shots inside the 8 ring up to 35 yards with a snap shot. Bow in low ready and drawing up and pretty much releasing it once it hits my anchor point and the peep is aligned with the sights.

I feel confident once bow season gets here that anything inside 35 yards is going down for the hard count!
 

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