Focus is one of the primary components of what makes a bowhunting shot effective for me.

Some of the best bowhunters that were and are great shots I have seen and hunted with since I was young to the present day, all were able to harness this archery attribute that is focus.

Many of the shooting drills I teach and use myself are based on developing, using, and maintaining focus.

But first, let's break that down a bit as to what that means for hunting shots.

Focus for a bowhunting shot on a live animal is critical; to be free of distractions and for a moment in time nothing else matters except where that arrow is going.

Now of course several outliers immediately pop up in our midst and more often than not tend to distract us from what we should be doing which is ensuring correct arrow placement.

Before I cover some points for focus training that can benefit traditional bowhunting and your shot process, whatever that process and aiming method may be, let's point a few common things out that factor into causing us to lose focus.

If we recognize what causes these issues it is easier to deal with them when they happen.

Here are the 3 main reasons I see folks lose focus:

1. Inconsistent shooting practice:

This may sound like a generalized statement but it comes down to regular maintenance of what is a perishable skill to some degree based on your experience and skill levels.

I cannot stress the importance of regular practice sessions, and it is far more important to shoot a dozen arrows every other day than 3 dozen once a week or month. Routine matters.


2. Environmental factors:

Many times people practice under sanitized conditions wearing clothing they would not wear while hunting and in comfortable shooting conditions.

If you haven't shot your bow under the same conditions you will be hunting under with the same clothing when the time comes to take that shot it will cause you to lose focus.


3. Finding a good foundation in basics:

As a coach and mentor, I often see people trying out new things before developing a good repeatable, and consistent way of shooting that suits them first.

Get the basics down, ensure you have good arrow flight, and then start to chip away and tinker. A lot of background noise and opinions from others won't help you out if you don`t have a basic foundation first.


Here are two simple ways to increase your ability to focus for archery without shooting your bow!

(Pick a time when you can be free of distractions as this is going to take time and patience but only 15 Minutes!)

1. Sit down and pick a small object as far away as you can see effectively but no further than 20 feet or so.

a) Your job is going to be to stop looking at anything else for 15 minutes, no reacting to noises, if you are outside, birds, insects or vehicles, sounds, etc.

b) I want you to sit or stand and simply stare at the object without being distracted for 15 minutes, it sounds easy but try it first. This will help develop not only mental discipline in focus but also focal point training without interruption and try it without moving.

c) You can try a variation of this drill by simply pointing at the object for 15 minutes using your bow arm and forefinger.


2. Same as above but pick an object closer to you, now I want you to visualize and hold your arm up as if you are holding your bow and drawing an arrow.

a) Now remain at "notional" full draw without moving and focus on the spot you are drawing on and hold the position with your "bow arm" up at full draw focusing on good structure and remaining at "full draw" for as long as you can.

I like to do this drill for up to 5 minutes. This drill can also be done with my "eye to arrow and arrow to eye drills." From the Archers Trinity Shooting method, an effective way of training the basics of bowhunting shot foundation found in our Traditional Bowhunting App.

b). Use just an arrow and your hand as a rest, grab the nock if your split-finger draw, or if 3 under hold it under your thumb on top of your hand and do the same drill holding the arrows at a "notional" full draw and focus as long as you can when doing the drill and holding your form without a bow.

Focus is crucial for traditional bowhunting shots, as it directly impacts accuracy, consistency, and success.

Remember, focus is a skill that can be developed through consistent practice, patience, and dedication.

Look for some great shooting drills to develop the basics of focus for hunting shots in our Traditional Bowhunting App!