Pine Ridge Archery — Blog
Why Practicing at Long Distances Makes You a Better Bowhunter
Fall is almost here, and many bowhunters are already shooting their bows every day to get ready for the season. Most of us practice at 20, 30, or maybe 40 yards. That may seem like enough, especially if you never plan to take long-range shots in the woods. However, shooting at 60, 70, or even 80 yards can dramatically improve your accuracy at shorter distances. It’s one of the best ways to build confidence and discover weaknesses in your form or equipment. For tools that help you tune your setup, visit Pine Ridge Archery.
Long-Range Practice Sharpens Your Form
If you can consistently hit a pie plate at 60 or 70 yards, you have strong, repeatable shooting form. At close distances, it’s easy to hide mistakes. For example, a slight amount of bow torque at 20 yards may not affect your group much. But at 70 yards, even a tiny twist can send your arrow way off target.
This is why long-range practice is so valuable. It magnifies your mistakes, helping you fix them. Once your form is clean enough to hit at long distances, a 20–40 yard shot becomes incredibly easy. Improving your technique also builds confidence — something every bowhunter needs in the field.
To help make your form more consistent, consider stabilizers, string loops, and other tuning accessories from Pine Ridge Archery.
Long-Range Shooting Reveals Equipment Problems
Shooting farther doesn’t just help your form — it also exposes issues with your arrows and gear. Not all arrows in a dozen fly exactly the same. At close range you may never notice a flawed nock, an uneven vane, or a slightly off-weight broadhead. But at 60 or 70 yards, these problems stand out immediately.
To sort your arrows, try marking each shaft and shooting them one by one. If the same arrow misses consistently, it likely has a defect. Remove it from your hunting setup and keep only the best performers.
For even more accuracy, many bowhunters use tools like the Pine Ridge Archery Arrow Inspector (spin tester) to check for straightness. You can find this tool and more at Pine Ridge Archery.
Fine-Tune Your Broadheads and Setup
Consistent arrow weight is essential for tight groups. Before the season begins, weigh every broadhead to ensure they match. Mechanical broadhead shooters should always practice with the supplied practice head. Fixed-blade shooters should practice with the same blades they plan to hunt with, or at least identical extras.
Using high-quality components — such as vanes, glue, and string accessories from Pine Ridge Archery — helps ensure reliable performance.
The Confidence You Need in the Field
Long-range practice takes effort, but it pays off. When you’re accurate at 60 yards or more, a 20-yard shot feels effortless. You know your form is solid. You know your arrows are tuned. And you trust your gear.
To make your setup even more consistent, check out tuning tools and accessories at Pine Ridge Archery today.
