Do you practice your shooting out of your elevated setup?

[Acer18]

I got my saddle last week shot out of it 3 times. I wouldn’t say it’s harder or easier just different. Also been practicing set up and tear down with the new gear.. loving having 2 free hands.

[wolverinebuckman]

Most of the off season is ground practice. The last couple of weeks before the season last year I practiced from the saddle. Will do the same this year.

[Ack]

I always practice from my stand and with a 3D target a month before season. I think the 3D target makes a huge difference when it comes time to take the shot on the real deal....shooting at dots on a block target does not prepare you for the angles you may need to take on a live deer. And don't just take broadside shots on the 3D....mix it up and take shots at different angles and yardages...without the rangefinder.

[Dewey]

I always practice from my stand and with a 3D target a month before season. I think the 3D target makes a huge difference when it comes time to take the shot on the real deal....shooting at dots on a block target does not prepare you for the angles you may need to take on a live deer. And don't just take broadside shots on the 3D....mix it up and take shots at different angles and yardages...without the rangefinder.

Agree. When I go to 3D shoots I don’t shoot for score. All I care about is the kill shot especially the angle of the arrow. Scoring on odd angles teaches bad shot placement. Many guys make that same mistake later on live deer.

[Brian1986]

I practiced most of last season at ground level and then only a couple sessions elevated. It burned me! I missed a good buck high. This year everytime I practice 3/4 of my shots are from elevation.

[westmichigander]

Definitely.. lucky enough my back porch is up there. Have a rhinehart 18-1 target and it allows to get those nice close angled shots in there too.

Shoot more on flat but always good to practice how ya hunt.

[ThePreBanMan]

My local gun club has built an elevated platform for this. I just use that.

[tkohuntsMI]

I used to do a lot from 20’ up but I don’t really anymore. I will be practicing in my saddle this year to get comfortable with it. I found more issues learning to draw and shoot sitting down or from a blind. Definitely worth getting familiar with how to maintain your form in various situations and positions.

[E72]

Yes , we have a ladder stand in the backyard set up for elevated practice. Any ground set stools/chairs we hunt with are used for practice shots as well. Also shoot with gloves , face masks and jackets we will wear to hunt . After a morning sit before climbing down , I’ll use a field tip arrow and pick out a leaf to shoot for some in season practice . Little things matter .

[Edcyclopedia]

Occasionally.

I do practice from a decline on my 3d target after a few days of shooting.
Also @ dusk is important too...

[Edcyclopedia]

Dbl post

[Rich M]

I will be starting a practice routine for a 3-day October hunt pretty soon. Thinking about some September bow hunting out of state but will use x-bow so just need to confirm that scope is still on.

Basically, I shoot out of a stand (platform is about 16 feet up) in my backyard - sitting & standing - adjust stand angle a time or two to practice dead on (last years shots) and various side angles including offside angle while sitting (easier when standing). 20-30 arrows a day. 3-5 days a week for about 2 months before hunt.

Will also send some arrows into the target while on ground just in case I walk up on (likely a hog) or something runs up on me (more likely deer).

[Mossberg90MN]

I will shoot from an elevated shooting spot but not from my actual tree stand. It’s maybe 15ft high. I do most of my practice on the ground, with the season getting closer I’m shooting from an elevated position a lot more.