nitehawkarchery.com

After reading several magazine article containing recommendations for shooting
downward from a tree stand, I attempted to apply these recommendations. If you have
attempted the same, surely you have come to the same conclusion as I. I nearly fell out of
my tree-stand! Afraid to go any further I gave up on the recommendations and went back to
the basics. I decided to just practice using the best form possible, not on the level ground,
but from fifteen feet off the ground.

I fastened a fifteen-foot ladder stand to a utility post and
set out three targets at different distances, ten, fifteen,
and twenty yards.

What did I discover? The common recommendation of
leaning forward at your waist results in two things, both
bad! At distancesof twenty yards and fifteen yards, I didn't
have the courage to try it at ten yards, I found myself off
balance. This made it difficult to concentrate when I
executed my shot. The second was, on occasions during
the shot I would unconsciously try to recover my
balance.This threw the arrow high and to the side.
Leaning forward at the waist was not working for me. I
was shooting terrible. It was sheer luck that I hit the
butts let alone the target. The lesson I took away was this,
"Shooting off balance is never going to make me a better
archer." I doubt if it is going tohelp you either.

These lines are:
1. The sight line starting at your dominate eye,
through your peep and sight pin, and on to your
target.
2. The arrow flight, starting at your release
elbow, down your forearm, and through your
arrow.
3. The third is a line that starts at your release
shoulder passes though your bow shoulder and
on to a point below or above your target and
slightly off to one side. The point on the target
will vary depending on the distance to the
target and the speed of your arrow.

To shoot accurately downward at short distances I needed to learn how to maintain the third line. Since I had spent so
much time practicing shooting level to the ground, I had to force myself to raise my release shoulder. I had to look back to
see if I was aiming it properly. Since I was using three targets I found myself looking back time and again to be sure my
shoulders were aimed at the proper angle for each distance. I practiced keeping my back vertical and lifting my release
shoulder and lowering my bow shoulder. My head followed my shoulders and tilted forward staying perpendicular to my
shoulders. This maintained my draw-length and my anchorpoint. With my shoulders in line with the shot, I had the
identical form from my shoulders up, as I do when shooting on level ground.

You can practice this in your chair as you read this page. Aim your shoulders at a
point on the floor. Notice, you maintain your balance and it feels natural. The
mistake you may make is not literally aiming your shoulders. When you first
practice this technique you need to aim with your shoulders by looking back to be
sure your release shoulder is raised to the proper height. Treat your shoulders
as front and rear sights, and aim them at a point on your target. You need to
physically do this before you can mentally do it.

You will need to practice. You are going to have to set up a tree stand. You want to
be up ten or fifteen feet so the angle is steep enough to force you to get your
release shoulder high. Before you draw your bow, aim your shoulders. Make it
part of your shoot sequence. Your overall archery is going to improve. Also work
on this technique from both sitting and standing positions. You are going to be
happily amazed at the results.

This same simple technique works great for shooting up hill. Of course you will need to lower your release shoulder to
shoot up hill. When shooting up hill always bring your bow down toward your target. If you raise your bow up to the
target you will most likely lean back to bring your bow up. This will cause you to lose your balance. No one can shoot
accurately off balance.

After you have tried this technique please email me at kenj@nitehwakarchery.com. I would love to get your feedback.

Robert Lane sent me this comment, "Hi Ken, just started practicing from 18 feet up. No need to bend at the waist. I
need a little work, but shot well. I find that with your method I can shoot just like I do on the leavel ground and the
bow shoots as I've sighted it in. Great method! Bob." So rest assured that if you invest a little time learning to aim
with your shoulders it will pay off big.