EFAA Field round PB

Today I shot an EFAA Field round at Whitemark Bowmen (classification shoot), hoping to get near the 540 mark. Rather than trying to get the minimum SFM scores (530+), my aim is to start hitting 540 and higher this year.

I nearly did it. In the end I shot 534, with the last arrow on the last target of the day missing the face due to a cracked nock that exploded on release. It was a decent shot on a shortish target so it was a theoretical 539, just short of 540.

I am not disappointed though. Despite dropping some silly points, I shot well overall. I have been working on my thumb position on the trigger, having been shooting with the tip of the thumb on the trigger recently. This has not been working, and so have gone back to wrapping my thumb around it and being positive with pulling through the shot.

What has also helped is putting a little more weight on the back rod, which has resulted in the aim becoming steadier, hence me being more relaxed, therefore resulting in better execution. A more balanced bow can result in shots being squirted upwards if the hand pressure is not right, but I think I gain more than I lose. No such problems today.

Whats next for 2013?

I have been considering what I want to do for 2013. I maybe changing jobs soon, and it may have an impact on my shooting time. At very least, I may not have regular shooting slots any more. So, I need to have a way of just being able to shoot with no frills.

Last season, I shot a lot of FITA Field, including un-marked, and is an area I need to improve to be good at it. However, I just need to spend my time shooting, so unmarked will take a step back this year. I will focus on EFAA shoots, as I enjoy the precision nature of the Field and Hunter rounds, and marked 3D. This way, I just turn up and shoot good shots.

I have also decided to make a "guest" appearance at the Surrey Target Champs this year as a one off. By the time the shoot comes around in July, I wont have shot a FITA in two years. I wont practice hard for it, I will just get some sight marks and maybe shoot a few ends at 90m in the weeks leading up to it. Then we will see what happens...

I did have a go at 90m today though on a 80cm FITA Field face. After getting a sight mark, which involved pulling the sight all the way in a messing around with the windage, I shot a rather nice group!