How to Get Better at Archery: Bowhunting Tips with John Dudley

John has a mission to make archers and bowhunters better through in-depth education, and we love it when we can pick his brain a bit for tips we can deliver exclusively to our HuntWise audience!

Take a minute to read part of our interview with John Dudley on how to get better at archery (and bowhunting) before bowhunting season gets here.

HuntWise: Why is it Important for Bowhunters to Get Better at Archery?

John Dudley: 

In bowhunting, it's really easy to cut corners, procrastinate, and be lazy — and I'm here to tell you you're missing out if that's what you're doing.

The benefits of bowhunting are just how tough it is and the reward that comes when you have success. And the reward is so much better when you've put in the sweat equity to get it.

To be a better bowhunter, you need to become an archer. Bowhunting has seasons, but archery is something you can do year-round to become a better bowhunter. I feel like we owe it to the animal, and because we are taking something's life, it’s more ethical to be as accurate as possible.

You may have heard my tagline and I say it often: "I’m a target archer to be a better bowhunter, and I’m a better bowhunter because I’m a target archer."

It's such an awesome opportunity not to just use the bowhunting season to shoot arrows, but to use the entire calendar to shoot arrows. That way, when you go to the field, you’re more accurate, you’re more ethical, and — to be honest with you — you’re more excited because you know you’ve put in work to have that success.

HuntWise: What Are Your 5 Best Archery Practice Tips to Help Hunters Get Better at Archery?

John Dudley: I have plenty of tips, but here are my top five archery practice tips to improve your bowhunting success.

1. Practice Makes Permanent

We hear that all the time regardless of the hobby you do, but reps just solidify perfection. There’s no way around it.

In archery, there’s such easy distraction with new gear, gadgets, techniques, and YouTube videos coming out. But, the reality is getting out and finding consistency and repeatability in reps to perfect your technique is so critical.

Don’t get lost in the “ifs” or “which thing is better than what.” What you need to get lost in is the amount of time you’re out on the range just pulling back and letting that arrow go.

2. Find Joy in the Process (Instead of the Prize)

This ties in perfectly with Tip #1: practice, practice, practice

As an athlete, I’ve always been driven by the task, process, or seeking perfection in technique. With that always comes the prize in the end.

If you’re focusing on the exact steps you need to make a perfect shot, you’ll end up making the perfect shot and getting the trophy that you want. So, try to focus on the process and not just the prize.

3. Trust Your Mentor or Your Guide

This comes into play whether you’re seeking coaching for archery accuracy tips, you’re going hunting for the first time with a guide or outfitter, or someone takes you out to show you the ropes for the first time.

Be quick to listen and slow to speak, and really give it a go to do what they’re telling you to do without trying to have your own idea or giving up on what they’re telling you.

It’s easy not to listen as well when it comes to hunting because every single day, you’ll be asked, “What tree is a good tree to get in?” “Where should I hunt?” and “Is today a good day to go.” All these things come into your mind every day that you go out, and your answers will come once you get some experience.

Until then, lean on the experience of your mentors.

No matter how many times I hunt different types of species, like earlier this year when I went to Zambia for the first time, and I was around multiple species I had never encountered, I literally repeated this to myself every day: trust my guide. They know what this species can see, hear and smell, and their natural tendencies for how they go to a food source or how they act in a bedding area.

4. Use the Modern Tools We Have to Make You Better

This plays in perfectly with HuntWise.

I have this app on my phone, and even though I’ve hunted for over 40 years now, I can tell you the tools in this app make me a better bowhunter every day I go out.

To be able to use the HuntCast and the WindCast to determine the right spots to go with the minimal amount of pressure on your spot is going to be absolutely key to success. So use the modern types of things we have, whether it’s a more current bow, advanced broadhead options, or an app to tell you the right spot to go.

5. Don’t Constantly Chase Placebos

Bowhunters and archers tend to chase after some type of new process or gear when success starts to falter.

However, it’s almost priceless to have experience in the equipment and shooting style you currently use. Nothing can replace reps.

If you’re practicing something different all the time, you’re not solidifying your fundamentals and basics and foundations. The same is true when you’re chasing placebos or the "next best thing" rather than making yourself better.

Take it From John Dudley: Knowing How to Be Better at Archery Helps You Be a Better Bowhunter

You might be surprised at how well you improve as a bowhunter after these few minutes with John Dudley and applying the archery practice tips and advice he gave us today! Hunting (for most people) isn't an overnight success story, but there's plenty to learn and love about it along the way if you put in the reps and stay consistent.

We hope these insights from John help you have a more successful bowhunting season this year! It's the right time of year to shoot some arrows at targets and work on your fundamentals, so you're ready for the archery season opener.

Make sure you have HuntWise to help you find the best times and spots to hunt! Use HuntCast and WindCast — free — for your first week in the app.

For more archery tips with John Dudley, check out NockOnArchery on YouTube!