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Anyone Not Practice From Elevated Position?

UTGrad

UTGrad

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I've practiced a few times from stands but found very little change if any from simply standing on the ground shooting. I will occasionally draw back and bend from the waste to get a feel for those close in shots but otherwise I practice on the ground. Anybody else simply climb a tree come season and have confidence they can seal the deal without practicing from a stand?
 
I very rarely shoot from an elevated position. Haven't for 20 years with no issues.

My house now has a down hill yard so I shoot at some what a downward angle. I do try and shoot from awkward positions though
 
My upstairs porch is the same height as my ladder stands so I sight my bow in from it.

At 20 yards Im a little low when shooting from the ground but beyond that it isn't enough to worry about.
 
I generally don't. I have before, but it's a pain in the tail if you ask me, Unless you can shoot off of a deck or porch. I just sight my bow in about an inch low and that has done just fine for me.
 
Its a good idea if you can but I just don't have anywhere close to me that I can do it. several years ago I use to practice taking my climber out to the WMA with a target and practice (with the approval of the local TWRA officer) but that was when I just started bow hunting. Just have to remember to bend at the waist and not drop your bow arm and the arrows will hit the same. But for those just starting out its a VERY good idea to practice out of a stand on a 3-d target and pay attention to where the arrow will exit.
 
the problem is it really depends on how high you generally hunt from AND the fact that 10-20yd elevation is different then shooting 40yds elevated. The angle at that point is not much different if you are 15-20ft in the air.
 
I rarely practice from an elevated position. With the speed of today's bows, my maximum distance shooting of 30 yards and the terrain I typically hunt, it just does not make a lot of sense. I shoot from an elevated position (friend's deck) every once in a while as a sanity check, but that is about as far as I take it.
 
I do both, but I have a ladder stand setup just for shooting out of near the barn and what-not. I just feel like it gives me an extra boost of confidence. It is sort of a pain in the butt.
 
I always try to. I've shot from elevated decks at peoples homes, the roof of my house, hung treestands, but Tuesday night was a new first. I shot from this:
IMAG0105.jpg
 
It's a good idea to practice from your actual stand if possible just to know what issues you will deal with when a deer walks up. I hunt from a climber with a wrap around top and my bottom cam has occasionaly hit something on the stand. Trust me, this is something you would rather find out in practice. Also, I have a tendancy to climb very high and that doesn't produce an optimal angle especially on a close shot. I learned all these things the hard way. You can find them in my book titled "10,001 ways to screw up".
 
Yep, what shots I expect to make I practice from a stand set up in a tree just like hunting. It's not just the shot, it's getting ready to do it all, from ground to stand and down again. Getting ready to do what must be done in the dark needs practice if for no other reason than to be safe doing it.
 
nodog said:
Yep, what shots I expect to make I practice from a stand set up in a tree just like hunting. It's not just the shot, it's getting ready to do it all, from ground to stand and down again. Getting ready to do what must be done in the dark needs practice if for no other reason than to be safe doing it.
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AWESOME POST!!!
 
Kinda funny. For many years, I thought it was mandatory to practice shooting from elevation and also shooting uphill and I did practice that regularly.

Then, for few years, maybe the last 10, I have come wonder if it really is important once you have some experience.
 
Master Chief said:
My upstairs porch is the same height as my ladder stands so I sight my bow in from it.

At 20 yards Im a little low when shooting from the ground but beyond that it isn't enough to worry about.
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I go about it the opposite direction to get the same result. I sight in a little low at 20 and it is on from stand. I do this out to my 40ish yard pin then hit 50 & 60 right on the dot.

I don't practice from an elevated platform. Best thing I do is shoot a 3d before season (tomorrow) to get use to holding on stuff in the woods, picking spots not dots and shooting different positions/footing.
 
Poser said:
In the past, I usually would shoot from a tree in my yard a couple of times during the summer, but someone finally moved in the house next door and I don't want to freak them out.

Honestly, I just don't let myself over think it. It is not a big deal or hard to take angle into consideration, in fact, I usually just rely on my intuition in this department. I think a lot of bow hunters let aspects like that psych them out. In other words, if anything is different from their practice routines, it throws them off.
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I agree with you, Poser. Too many people major in the minors and get all psyched with details like this that really don't amount to a hill of beans. Just maintain your form, focus on a hair, bend at the waist, release and follow thru. Then drag! ;)
 

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