Archery is an all-year passion for me! I practice as much as possible during the winter months, but when summer arrives, I find numerous places to prepare for the upcoming hunting season.
King of my Own Backyard
I am lucky to have a large backyard where I can shoot at multiple targets from different distances. Throughout the summer, I spend many evenings practicing with my bow and shooting arrows. After dinner, it’s easy to grab my Darton bow and shoot as the sun sets. It’s a peaceful and relaxing experience, with no pressure at all. Don’t miss the chance to practice shooting in your own backyard!
Local Shoots
There are about half a dozen archery clubs located within a 30-minute drive from my house. Each club takes turns hosting local competitions every weekend. The courses are pretty challenging, and it is relatively inexpensive to participate in a thirty or forty-target 3D course. Some clubs also offer open evening hours, which allow me to practice on challenging courses several times a week. I can either use my rangefinder to range distances or challenge myself by estimating the yardage. Both techniques help me prepare for the upcoming fall archery season.
Tournaments
The International Bowhunting Organization and the Archery Shooters Association host major tournaments throughout the summer months, attracting archers from around the world. I enjoy competing against other archers, so I participate in as many tournaments as possible. Both organizations reward top-performing archers in their respective classes and hold an end-of-the-year tournament. The Archery Shooters Association also televises their tournaments, showcasing the incredible talents of professional archers.
Indoor Shoots
During June, July, and August, temperatures can rise into the 90s, and the humidity can become quite uncomfortable. Fortunately, several air-conditioned indoor areas are available for shooting. It’s a great idea to shoot indoors during the summer because the weather and bugs won’t be a problem. Gathering a group of friends to compete on an indoor course can be a lot of fun, complete with plenty of friendly trash-talking and bets being placed. I can’t confirm or deny that I’ve had to buy dinner for all my friends after one of these indoor shooting sessions.
Have Fun
Take advantage of every opportunity to shoot your bow throughout the summer. Don’t let imperfect shots discourage you. Instead, when you make a shot that you’re not satisfied with, learn from the mistake and move on to the next target. Ultimately, all the shooting you do during the summer is aimed at helping you make the perfect shot during archery season when the moment of truth arrives.