It was a blustery day in late November of 2014, and I was perched in the early morning hours atop my climbing stand. I was tucked against a large trunked chestnut oak bordering a line of mountain laurels. It was rifle season in Maryland, but I wanted to connect with the longbow. As stiffness and chills started to take over and the morning waned, I stood up and tried to stretch for the sunlight that was slowly warming the frosty leaf litter below. Behind my stand I heard crunching, and turned to see a 6 point buck feeding along the line of shrubs. I knew a shot behind my stand would be tough, but I felt it was doable. I leaned out far and slightly canted the slender Schulz made Howard Hill Tembo completely vertical. I had not practiced this cant much and pulled the shot due to alignment issues. The arrow sailed and struck the unsuspecting buck in the hind bottom roast! Oh No!
I don't know why, maybe the quietness of the longbow combined with the impact point, but the buck turned and ran toward me. I quickly drew another arrow from my back quiver and from so much ingrained practice, had the arrow pulling back to anchor as the deer ran 15 feet from my tree at a full tilt. I focused hard behind the shoulder and the arrow was away. It was a blur and my mind caught movement of the arrow, but it appeared to me that I had shot over the shoulder. I drew another arrow and the buck stopped 87 yards away and I let fly again. The buck bolted.
This scenario came to a happy ending for the hunter when we found my buck with my arrow in the chest. As it turns out that running shot did connect. A wounded deer that would otherwise have been suffering was killed cleanly.
Since then, I have made it a point to practice all manner of unorthodox shots as well as work on hitting moving targets. The Hill style straight end longbow excels at being forgiving of these unorthodox shots.
Some will say that gaining proficiency at these kinds of shots takes extra-ordinary talent, or that it is unethical to take these shots at game. I can say that I have no great reservoir of archery talent, nor am I a one of a kind the likes of a Mr. Hill or Schulz, but I have gained a comfort in hitting moving targets that gets better with practice. As evidenced by the scenario above, this skill is at times ethical and a benefit. The last item is that this type of practice is darn fun!
There is no need for a complicated set-up or area to practice hitting'em moving. Having a person throw for you is great, but not a necessity. Simply tossing a tennis ball or kickball and using rubber blunts has worked well for me. Having a slight hill also helps.
Recently, I worked up a simple cable and pulley system for a cardboard disk that was fun. This target was made by gluing simple cardboard circles together and zip tying it to a pulley from my porch railing to the ground below.
Practice focusing on the smallest part of the target as you can. Keep that concentration as you relax your fingers.
Practice always makes these types of shot easier.
I also practice some unorthodox techniques like the reverse cant, and turning behind shots.
This type of practice is fun and can benefit you in hunting situations. Don't let the "nay-sayers" stop you from trying. This type of hunting practice used to be common, but now there is a definite static hunting trend. Don't let them limit you.
Take a look at Gene Wensel in these old videos of him and companions hitting big old bucks on the run. It can be done, and done responsibly by getting proficient.
You never know when this will pay off.
Enjoy!
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