When to shoot

A game animal rarely offers the ideal target: broadside shot, within range, in the clear and unaware of your presence. Therefore, you will need to practice to make more challenging shots. You must learn to recognise the right moment to shoot. Take your best shot when the time is right.

• Move into shooting position when the animal is facing away from you.
• Wait for the right moment.
• Only move when the animals focus is elsewhere, such as feeding or looking in another direction.
• Make your move to full draw, and then wait until the animal stops near your pre-selected ‘shooting’ spot. (If you cannot move to full draw without exposing yourself to the animal, wait motionless until the animal has passed by before making your move into the shooting position.)
• Focus on the aiming spot over the animal’s vital area.
• Relax and take the shot.
• Continue to aim after the shot until you see the arrow hit the target; ‘peaking’ or dropping your bow arm will cause erratic arrow flight and affect the point of impact.