Was relaxing in the backyard and had a couple drinks while watching the posted trick shooting video. I decided to pull the ILF bow out and shoot for the first time this year. I heard him say on the video that he shot with two fingers so I gave it a go and found way less finger pinch check out pic. I also found after a couple drinks ZERO Target panic after having it for years which seems to prove it is all in your head. I know I may get a few people to say it was dangerous but it was in my backyard and totally controlled. Just thought I would share my findings.

Group tightened

So I guess the clicker gadgets is a lot like having a shot. Takes your mind off of it.

Imagine “ If “ you didn’t have those two drinks.....Might of just Robin Hood those two arrows lol.

Skipping over the drinking part.

This shows how you have to quit thinking and let your subconscious do the work.

Looks like a little aiming oil worked for you

Ok so just carry a flask of Wild Turkey 101 with you when your shooting your bow! LOL

The first indoor PAA 300 I attended I think almost everyone drank a couple beers to relax before they started the competitive shooting. That was in the mid to late seventies.

Ive been to more than one private archery club that have full bars inside, pretty sure you can have a beer and a burger before or while you shoot.

Bowguy, I’m not saying I was hammered just a couple to relax. The whole point of my thread was to show that after the mind is relaxed Target panic is no longer which I found very interesting. Also never would have I thought to try just two fingers and boy does it make a lot of sense as the less friction the better. I am very safety conscious and if I thought this would be dangerous I would have not attempted it.

Your own back yard.You are an adult and made a decision to shoot knowing it was safe.Well done as you have proved something to yourself. Of course everyone on here is saintly and can point fingers? Hypocrites!

Spike 78

I got ya! understood the point-- I don't drink-some peoples back yards safer than others

I was wondering how long it would take someone to go off about the drinking. You might not want to go to DH. Lol

In the 70's people did more than drink before doling lots of stuff lol I like 101. It's my go to group tightener.

And I have been around some guys that scare me when they shoot when they are not drinking. Lol.

Hope you had a mask on after those Corona...... LOL

It’s like drinking beer and playing golf. One or two might take the edge off but there’s a fine line of diminishing returns. Your game will slide rapidly.

SWAG to be honest with you I have had a few more then usual as it’s getting a little sketchy here in MA with the virus. I now know a few people who have it. One guy told me it was pure hell and convulsed for days in the ICU and another that is on life support as we speak and he is only a couple years older then me and I’m 41. We are ranked the 3rd or 4th in most deaths and at first I was like meh just a flu but now it is very real! I’ve woke up in the middle of the with panic attacks from this crap.

Imagine how good you would have shot if you had a joint first. Probably might have even lost your thought train and forgot what you were doing. In the early eighties i attended a 3D shoot where all the targets were homemade, broadheads were the norm and the beer truck was in the middle of the course. Not even remotely possible today in this legal arena. Glad you had some fun and shot well. I cant condone mixing mind altering substances with any weapon use. Now do with out the beer and impress us.

No issue with having a drink or two at all. I have been to plenty of shoots where guys have a couple/three drinks before or even during the shoot. Shawn

I don't know of a range in WI that doesn't have a bar.

In fact at my club Rod Jenkins held his class AT THE BAR.

Bowmania

I understand the point some folks are trying to make about inebriation and shooting a bow but there's a huge difference between "had a couple drinks" and 'drunk'. I mean, what if I have a prescription for a low dose muscle relaxer and I shoot far better having taken my prescribed medication than not? Should I shoot at game poorly yet 'sober' and wound them or 'inebriated' and harvest the game humanely?

Echo Chambers are low-light conditions, hard to see the grey area in one of those.

We call those group tightener!

After I whip up Mother's Day mimosas for my wife and mother, I’m taking a quick rove on my land with my old dog. He likes an IPA, I like a bourbon barrel stout on cold days. At 14 he still finds my arrows

I could care less what a man does in his own backyard. His call, but I too have been to 3d shoots where the course was littered with empty beer cans. I never went back, that's just stupid.

I understand the point some folks are trying to make about inebriation and driving a truck, but there's a huge difference between "had a couple drinks" and 'drunk'.

A drink or 2 shooting a bow is one thing, but with a rifle ,a shot gun, or behind the wheel is a no,no. I know guys that tell stories about going to camp, getting shit faced drunk, grab their fire arms and go hunting, and have had friends killed in auto accidents because of booze.

You should not shoot a bow when taking pills.,

I don’t think I’d care to shoot a round of 3D on a course being shared with a bunch of people who had been drinking, because if you don’t know who they are and how responsible they’re going to be, that’s a bad risk to take. Some people have no sense to begin with and none at all after they’ve had “a few”. At an indoor facility, I would be less concerned as long as everyone knew each other well enough that anyone showing signs of being unsafe to be around would be shut down right away.

Of course, if that was a regular problem, I wouldn’t go back.

But JMO, if you can’t shoot safely in your own yard after ONE or TWO, you probably can’t shoot safely there stone cold sober after a cup or three of coffee. And if you can’t stop after 1 or 2 and you go shooting anyway, that’s not an Archery problem.

There ARE people in the world who cannot be trusted if they’ve been drinking. There are also people in the world who think that NOBODY can be trusted if they have had any alcohol at all. They’re mistaken about that, of course, but the latter often seem to have had an unhealthy amount of exposure to the former... and there is no arguing with them.

Pills. I take Oxycodone 4 times per day for the pain from inoperable spine condition. The highest dose the pain clinic allows. It alters my thinking or reactions not at all, just dulls the pain. I do everything you guys do with no effect from the opiate. no loss of judgment or coordination. Been taking Oxy for years. I'm a retired trooper and if there's anything to know about safety, I do.

Speaking of shooting and drinking in my wild youth I got thrown out of a bar for shooting my old Bear Kodiak at a fish on the wall. I got complete penetration with my old Bear broadhead. The bartender had no sense of humor and didn't appreciate a good shot.

“ There ARE people in the world who cannot be trusted if they’ve been drinking. There are also people in the world who think that NOBODY can be trusted if they have had any alcohol at all. They’re mistaken about that, of course, but the latter often seem to have had an unhealthy amount of exposure to the former... and there is no arguing with them.”

And I guess I should add that I don’t feel entirely comfortable around people from either one of those groups. I’m kind of happy over here in the middle…

In the Budweiser poster pic above, the arrow in the middle was shot BEFORE taking a drink. The arrow at 12 o clock (in the red) was shot AFTER taking a drink. The arrow out of the red was shot after a few more drinks. Or was it the other way around? ;)

"Alcohol/drinking EVEN IN YOUR YARD shouldn’t be mixed."

If it wasn't for the "beer stands" every 7 targets at "Novelty Shoots" almost every archery club in Claifornia in the late 60's wouldn't have been able to maintain indoor and outdoor ranges.

No one was shot.

Nothing worse than a reformed alcoholic. Lol

No judgment from me. Good group and glad it kept you TP at bay! Now to figure that head problem out so the beers aren't needed.

I believe there is a line and from what I see and hear, you sure didn't cross it.

Now for those of you name calling, judging and putting someone down for there actions I dare say your behavior is far more deplorable. We ended prohibition in this country for a reason and it wasn't because of bootlegging and the crime associated with it. So please, give the Temperance Movement propaganda a rest, that has been over for nearly 100 years.

GF said it very well and I agree with him. Wow, can't believe I just typed that?!

Folks should worry more about what comes out of their mouth than what goes in.

I said I wouldn't judge and proceeded to do just that. I apologize for my hypocrisy. For shame!

I was on a trip to Texas when I got a kidney stone I had hydrocodone along because I have been plagued with them (32 so far). I shot three hogs with 3 perfect shots and one running Javelina . Maybe there is something too settling your mind down I had no buck fever, guess I just didn't care !

All you guy's using prescription pain killers for bad joint pain are probably, guilty of arrowing under the influence!

Well said GF

For the record I had two crowns and ginger ale but what gets me the most is that with all the reply’s about the alcohol nobody stated hmm he may be on to something with the psychology about Target panic? I’ve dealt with Target panic since I was 20ish and I’m now 41. It seems to me that Target panic may have a lot to do with anxiety after this scientific test I had going on :).

Perhaps you should define "a few drinks". A few beers, glasses of wine, shots of whiskey, moonshine.

What should I drink to get rid of target panic? I’ll Order a few cases now.

Get ya some George Dickel bonded. Best Bourbon ever put in a bottle.

I live on a farm with no close neighbors. I commonly sip a beverage or cocktail between arrows on a warm afternoon. I never get inebriated because I don't like the feeling.

Last October I went to the garage fridge to grab a cold bottle of pop to take to the treestand. No pop there, but had 6 cold Mike's Hard Lemonades waiting. I grabbed one and dropped it in my pack. 30 minutes later I was sitting in my Gate Stand sipping the Mike's and enjoying a warm breeze. Very pleasant evening. No issues.

AA, archers anonymous.

So, where you shooting two fingers split or two fingers under?

Wow, a couple guys here sure sound like fun to have at a party. Jeesh. Maybe hang out with those broads from the pic above, lol.

There's an archer whom I will not name obviously but the man can shoot and wins many shoots, but I swear every time I've shot with him I smell Jack Daniels lol. You'd never know by talking to him but whatever it is he's got the amount perfect because he crushes it on the course.

I've typed about 3 or 4 posts and fortunately saved my membership here by nixing them, it's just a waste of time.

Spike78 try some Mezcal and let me know how your groups are ;)

Some of them have been subjected to too much exposure with people who had serious problems; trouble is, they can no longer believe that ANYONE can drink WITHOUT having a problem.

Lot of 1/0 thinking in the world these days.... Not terribly useful except to those who lean that way. Saves them a lot of thinking and absolves them of any responsibility for addressing any problems....

Life is just easier when you’re right about everything....

What I do notice about Brad's block target is that the middle is pretty chewed up, nothing pie plate sized there.

Where is the wild turkey? I'm short drawing again.,

“ What I do notice about Brad's block target is that the middle is pretty chewed up,”

Yeah... looks like he could get away with shooting at the other 4 dots if he wanted.... ;)

Dickel the best bourbon? Guess you have never tasted Blantons huh:)

I remember reading that they do drug tests at some of the major archery events.

It seems like one of the drugs checked for is a commonly prescribed heart medication usually given to patients after a heart attack to reduce heart rates.

Seems the results of calming effects of chemicals on the archer and rising scores has been known for a while.

Only you will know when one is one to many and for many that day will never come, for others it came a long time ago.

I am a long time friend of Bill W's but you won't hear any preaching here on drinking or drugging.

Worrying has never solved a problem and preaching has never changed anyone's behavior. Good Day

"“ What I do notice about Brad's block target is that the middle is pretty chewed up,” Yeah... looks like he could get away with shooting at the other 4 dots if he wanted.... ;)"

There's something about hitting the middle...

"“ What I do notice about Brad's block target is that the middle is pretty chewed up,” Yeah... looks like he could get away with shooting at the other 4 dots if he wanted.... ;)"

There's something about hitting the middle...

Double tap, twice as shot.

“ There's something about hitting the middle...”

Yep. You lose fewer arrows!

But honestly, there’s something really satisfying about getting to where you feel like you can pick any spot you want on that target and not worry about missing.

It’s all about hitting the middle of whateverthehell you want to hit.

Dickel is Sour Mash, not Bourbon

I hit pretty much what I want

And it is satisfying

A drug test at a shoot? Heck no one would pass.,lol. Now that is taking it serious.,

The most accurate whiskey you can buy is Blade and Bow....Kentucky Straight Bourbon. Nothing like smooth shots and small groups.

The following archery organizations are following the World Anti Doping Policies during competitions. USA, WA, NFAA and ASA any there may be others as well.

Alcohol and Beta-blockers are banned substances along with many other OTC drugs and substances.

The banned substances list changes often and contains many commonly prescribed and OTC drugs and other substances. As always is the case if you choose to compete you are responsible for knowing the current rules.

The top scoring archer at the Vegas shoot was Disqualified a couple years ago due to a violation of these rules. Good Day

Oh well, I have two different flavors of beta-blocker drops that go in my right eye twice a day, so no reason not to have a Shot of Woodford's now and again I guess.

Does EVERYTHING in this country have to offend somebody, or divide us.... I swear some people just look for something to justify climbing up on their soap box. The Lord turns water into wine so I certainly think that alcohol is fine in moderation. Drink responsibly says it all.....

His yard his decision !

So I guess this means snorting a line of coke, then shooting your bow, is completely out of the question!

I called this beautiful early 1959 Kodiak Special, ‘Merlot’ because they go so well together!

After 1 to 3 glasses or other drinks in my backyard i’ve noticed the following:

Frequently reduce target panic. However I also often reduce accuracy if I go beyond two or three drinks. LOL!

Significantly less or no shoulder pain. (I’ve got serious shoulder problems and it usually hurts to shoot.)

Often my wife joined me as a shoot and drink on the back deck and that makes it much more social and fun for me! :-)

Beautiful Jason!

Kevin, a good peaty scotch is about the best for my accuracy....YMMV

thats not as dangerous as drinking and posting on the Leatherwall

I’m fortunate to have never experienced issues with target panic, but I have been known to enjoy an IPA (or stout, or other hoppy beverage) or two while shooting in the backyard range... is especially enjoyable when shooting with good friends. Drink & shoot responsibly everyone. Life is short, enjoy it to the fullest but be safe!

I opened up a YETI cooler and there were something like 5 different craft beers and a mish-mash of hard ciders and lemonades. My bow was nowhere around but I still had a case of target panic.....

C'mon guys....there's nothing like 6 empty beer cans out in the yard just aching for a judo-job.

Well if beta blockers are banned lots of people would be banned.,I wouldn't want someone to beat me that was taking a beta blocker to reduce his BP.,lol. Too many rules foe everything these days.,another way to exclude people. If I am a better shot than you are I will beat you even if you are taking beta blockers.

"I opened up a YETI cooler and there were something like 5 different craft beers and a mish-mash of hard ciders and lemonades. My bow was nowhere around but I still had a case of target panic..... C'mon guys....there's nothing like 6 empty beer cans out in the yard just aching for a judo-job."

Especially since you can't take returnables in for refunds here anymore.

I'm calling my Dr today to give me a note for all the banned substances.,now the only ones that can shoot are the ones with a note. Lol. I bet the registration line at these shoots gets backed up doing the drug tests. Or do they do them prior to the shoot and then take down the winner later and move someone up the line that was clean, I do believe I have heard it all.

“ Too many rules foe everything these days.,another way to exclude people.”

ROFLMAO

This in a sport where people insist that switching from 3U to Split or even just let glancing at your arrow to confirm your anchor is “cheating”.

Just think how lucky we are to have found a sport where guys who are old enough to need heart medication are able to compete at a high enough level to get tested!

During a 3D shoot last year, a shooter let an arrow fly close to 45 degrees because I guess he released early by mistake. The arrow clanked through trees and landed in the dirt at another station, could have been worse.

No idea if he was drunk/buzzed or simply over bowed.

Good point Daven. I'd say his BP dropped too low due to beta blockers. Lol

Two Feathers I tried both split and two under and found even with three fingers that I shoot under better. I used to shoot every day until Target panic set in and frustrated me so much that I pretty much shot mostly before deer season. Something else that is interesting is that I have no panic when aiming at an animal only a bullseye. Just curious if anyone here that deals with Target panic also has some anxiety issues as I’m wondering if I’m on to something here?

I've been using 2 fingers for 4 years. Works way better than 3. I started when I had to shoot a 25# bow for a while after surgery. I just couldn't shoot it with 3 fingers. That string just wrapped around each finger and was never straight. You want to learn to have a smooth release, shoot a 25# bow! What clinched it for me was at that time, I was looking at the back cover of Billets To Bows with a photo of Glenn St. Charles shooting a bow. He was at full draw and it looked like he only had 2 fingers on the string. Good enough for me, I thought. Recently a friend who grew up around the St. Charles family confirmed that Glenn only used 2 fingers.

I've found that eating chocolate before shooting works well for me! To each his own!

Of course you are. I shot in our winter league and set my target bow up so I could aim with the white center perched atop of the arrow at 20 yards. Guess what set in? Yes, target panic. Not on every shot but enough to drop me 25 points/round. I changed arrows and aiming point so I could now aim at the bottom of the black and guess what? No target panic and got my 25 points back.

I guess I'm spoiled. I've never been to but 1 club that allowed alchohol on the grounds and their rule was once you had a drink ur done fooling with bows for the day. An ohio game warden smells it on ur breath he'll confiscate your bow and call the cops for a sobriety test.

Shandor, I use three fingers. I tried just two fingers, but it didn't get the job done so I stuck with three....wait a minute! Were you talking about brown liquor or shooting a bow, there? In my case I stick to to the three fingers for most important things. Like the Scout sign...easy to remember ;-p

There's no place that I'd rather be than right here, with you rednecks, white Soxs and "Blue Ribbon Beer"

Spike 78 you are short drawing on game too

Mangonboat. Depends on the glass

World Archery has rules on drugs and alcohol at their shoots and do test and take samples. I have no issues with this.Certain prescription medications are allowed if they are not performance enhancing. They have a list of what is and not allowed.I do not smoke or drink,never tried weed or any other drugs. I have personally shot with many people over the years who have had a few drinks at lunch time and then shot with me in the afternoon.No problems at all as they were responsible people.

You should drink all the time, not just special events, like shooting a bow!

Ted doesn't drink or take drugs. Lol

Just had to dredge this one back up, eh?

I very seldom drink. The last time was following the NTI at Camp Perry in 2017. But, a drink or two isn't the same thing as getting drunk, and a drink before or after archery or shooting is common in Europe.

If you lack the self control to control yourself, that's fine. If you choose not to be around others who might have had a drink that is fine too. But please leave it at that, unless you see someone actually intoxicated. I am happy that most people here understand the difference.

It’s called AIMING Fluid!!!

All this over two drinks in a fellas backyard. No wonder..........

A few drinks are those ladies only chance of anyone's lips touching theirs!

I always use fentanyl prior to shooting. really relaxes the target panic... Im mean really relaxes it. lol

Are you aware that there are people who, without fentanyl, wouldn't be able to function in their daily life, let alone go shoot a bow? Besides, if you have it, a Dr. prescribed it or (if you're buying from street dealers) the damage you can do with your bow pales in comparison to the lives being ruined by your addiction.

This all boils down to the difference between use and abuse. We would (probably) all applaud a terminally ill person going on a last hunt while ignoring that they are on fentanyl, that's use.

I think someone needs to do an experiment ala Johnny Fever on WKRP in Cincinnati and test scores with each successive drink

I actually did run exactly that experiment one time in grad school for my stats class…

I had 6 to 10 willing participants come into my office and we all threw darts (at half beer intervals) at a dartboard that I kept on the wall next to my desk. If I still have that paper in a notebook somewhere (30 years later), I’m afraid it’s at the office that I haven’t been to in 10 weeks, but if memory serves (and it generally does so in these cases, at least with regard to higher level take-aways)... we all got better as we went along…

I suppose our performance would have suffered eventually, but none of us were really interested in getting drunk enough for that to kick in...

In fairness, though… I was only measuring how close we were getting to the bull’s-eye from regulation dart-throwing distance with a concrete wall as a backstop. When you start talking about launching arrows that can carry another 50-100 yards after skipping off of a hard surface, then you have to consider the ill effects on judgment and reaction time which make DWI such a bad idea that they had to write a law against it.

IOW.... Don’t be stupid. If you’re not fit to drive, you’re not fit to be handling lethal weapons.

Wow what a topic!! Sort of like snipe hunting! LOL

Yeah,,I knew as soon as i read the OP,that i could count on Leatherbrawl to make this thread interesting...

It's like our golf trip. The match in the morning is no drinking and keeping individual scores. The match after lunch is a scramble and drinking beer is encouraged unless you have an excuse. There is a fine line where the beer relaxes you and makes you swing looser and better but when that line is crossed it all goes downhill fast.

Let's keep it going. I'm sitting here relaxing before dinner with a nice tall Bloody Mary.

Wow I made it back up to the first page let’s make this a LW record!

Try it on Sunday and see if it works again.

If I drink and shoot I miss left EVEREY TIME. I chose to be responsible and tuned a bow specifically such occasions.

We should have a special "first shot" on Friday and Saturday nights

I'll make the first call. Fireball this Friday for fireball Fridays.

Could play "Hi BoB" and get a count on how many drinks are acceptable.

Hi Bob reminds me of College!

I shoot sipping beer in my backyard whenever the mood strikes me, and quite enjoy it. I may even lift some heavy things. Drinking beer and getting drunk are not mutually inclusive. Disregard the do-rights who police everyones behavior. Relaxation is conducive to good shooting. Channel the same serenity wgen you go for the kill.

Now I’m wondering where the hell is Frisky!?

smoke a joint and you'll stare a hole through your target!

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