I'm looking for suggestions for easily implemented marksmanship drills given our hunting situation. I have ideas but no reason to re-invent the wheel.
We mostly hunt from treestands for deer. The ladder stands all have railings that are decent rests. The woods are pretty thick, so we have to cut shooting lanes if we want a clear shot much over 25 yards. So, the hunting situation is basically shooting from a rest, but you have to be prepared to take your shot within a second or so of the deer stepping into the shooting lane. A secondary issue is the scopes on our crossbows have four cross hairs (20, 30, 40, and 50 yards), which creates clutter when trying to quickly and precisely aim. The four cross hairs basically cover the deer's chest at 40 yards.
I can drill the bullseye all day long when target shooting at 40 yards with my crossbow (and do so at 50 yards with my daughter's newer, faster crossbow). Yesterday I made a poor shot on an 8pt buck. It was most likely a brisket shot and I'm pretty confident the buck survived. I ranged my stand from the impact site. It was 41 yards and I figured it was 40 yards when I was preparing to shoot, so it wasn't an issue of misjudging the range. I think I got lost in the complication of the reticle and didn't focus on getting the 40 yard crosshair on target.
Typically I watch the deer and position the crossbow or rifle aiming at the shooting lane it is headed for. I take a quick look through the scope to make sure I'm on the lane and then continue to watch the deer. I go back to the scope just as it approaches the shooting lane. All of this may take place in a matter of 10 seconds. I'm not shooting at running deer, but they don't often stop and pose in the shooting lane. Typically they are walking slowly.
Again, I'd appreciate any practical, implementable drills that have worked for you.
We mostly hunt from treestands for deer. The ladder stands all have railings that are decent rests. The woods are pretty thick, so we have to cut shooting lanes if we want a clear shot much over 25 yards. So, the hunting situation is basically shooting from a rest, but you have to be prepared to take your shot within a second or so of the deer stepping into the shooting lane. A secondary issue is the scopes on our crossbows have four cross hairs (20, 30, 40, and 50 yards), which creates clutter when trying to quickly and precisely aim. The four cross hairs basically cover the deer's chest at 40 yards.
I can drill the bullseye all day long when target shooting at 40 yards with my crossbow (and do so at 50 yards with my daughter's newer, faster crossbow). Yesterday I made a poor shot on an 8pt buck. It was most likely a brisket shot and I'm pretty confident the buck survived. I ranged my stand from the impact site. It was 41 yards and I figured it was 40 yards when I was preparing to shoot, so it wasn't an issue of misjudging the range. I think I got lost in the complication of the reticle and didn't focus on getting the 40 yard crosshair on target.
Typically I watch the deer and position the crossbow or rifle aiming at the shooting lane it is headed for. I take a quick look through the scope to make sure I'm on the lane and then continue to watch the deer. I go back to the scope just as it approaches the shooting lane. All of this may take place in a matter of 10 seconds. I'm not shooting at running deer, but they don't often stop and pose in the shooting lane. Typically they are walking slowly.
Again, I'd appreciate any practical, implementable drills that have worked for you.