All about shot execution and release!

That's something we need to remember!

Or should I say: I need to remember!

Over the weekend I shot my highest score to date with my new bow. I tied for first but I was the first one to drop points so I ended up second.

I suppose as most archers do, as soon as the tournament or practice round is over I begin dissecting where I could have done better.

So I could blame my loss on the target I dropped the first points on. Target number 2.

A 28 yard shot at a huge Caribou target with the 10 ring big as a pie plate and I shot an 8 on it.

That's an easy excuse for my loss.

But it wasn't the cause of my loss. My shot execution and release was perfect on the Caribou. But as soon as the arrow left my bow I realized I used my 20 yard pin going after the lower 12 ring and barely got an 8.

So why wouldn't I blame my loss on that target seeing it's the first one I dropped points on?

Well, there was a cinnamon bear target around target 15 I think.

Only about 6 yards. Piece of cake! Easy 12 I thought!

The club had thrown in 6 or so targets from about 5 to 9 yards. I had busted every 12 on all those close targets up to that point. Putting my 30 yard pin at the lower edge of the 12 ring and it was coming easy.

But this time, I aimed and instead of squeezing the button I simply punched it.

So that simple, easy, 6 yard shot is the real reason I lost. My execution and release was horrible.

So of the 25 targets, there's only 2 shots I was displeased with. The Caribou, because I used the wrong pin, and especially the cinnamon Bear because of my poor shot execution and release.

Over the years I've learned no matter what the sidehill degree you might be standing on, or no matter if you're shooting uphill, downhill or level. No matter if it's unmarked yardage.

Nearly everyone on the range will pull a little left or right on the same sidehill targets you do.

Nearly everyone on the range will hit a little high or low on the same uphill or downhill targets you do.

There's a chance everyone on the range will use the wrong sight pin by accident, or forget to adjust the sight to the right yardage, or, as I've done before shooting in the open class, forget to adjust the sight at all!

But if you can execute your shot perfectly every time you will place pretty well.

Now, if I could just heed my own advice and do it every shot!