6 Off-season Archery Tips That Lead To In Season Success

By Zack Hayes with Hayz Outdoors

Spring bear season has come and gone here in Alberta, and most big game hunters have now turned their attention to preparing for the fall. Unless you’re in a place like Florida where deer hunting opens as early as July, summer can feel like a long offseason. But just because it’s not hunting season doesn’t mean you can’t start setting yourself up for success.

In Alberta, archery seasons open as early as August 25th. That means the guys and girls who want to extend their season and give themselves an edge need to grab a bow and start shooting. Whether you're a seasoned bowhunter or just picked up your first bow, practice is the key to filling your tag this fall.

Here are some archery tips and offseason drills I use to make sure I’m fully prepared when the season opens.

1. Visualize Real Hunting Scenarios

Whether you're spot and stalking a big muley, calling in a screaming elk, or sitting in a stand waiting on a patterned whitetail, no two shots are the same. That’s why it's important to run through as many different scenarios as possible.

Ask yourself:

• Will I be shooting uphill or downhill?

• Will I have brush or trees in the way?

• Will I be on uneven terrain or in tight quarters?

Don’t just practice on flat ground. Try shooting from above or below the target. If you’re hunting in thick timber, create small shooting windows to replicate threading an arrow through a tight opening. You’ll build confidence and skill in realistic situations, not just backyard setups.

2. Tree Stand Prep

If your fall involves a tree stand, practice from one. Shooting from an elevated position changes arrow trajectory and affects how your shot travels through the animal. Many new stand hunters forget to account for the angle, which can lead to missed shots or worse, wounded animals.

Also, practice awkward angles and off balance shots. That perfect broadside shot at 20 yards rarely happens in real life. Get comfortable drawing and shooting from different stances and tight setups while in the stand.

It is very important to stay focused on your bubble level right before you take the shot. It can affect how your arrow comes out of your bow at your target. A key factor is to also double check and make sure your bubble is actually level since they don’t come level from the factory.

3. Practice How You Play

One thing I’ve learned through my hockey career: practice how you play. If you can’t do it in practice, don’t expect to pull it off when it matters.

Apply that to bowhunting. Shoot with all your gear on your bino harness, backpack, quiver on or off whatever you’ll actually be wearing on your hunt. Even slight changes in weight distribution can affect your anchor point, form, and fatigue levels. Practicing with your gear now will save you from mistakes in the field.

4. Shoot Long Distances

No, I’m not saying you should shoot an elk at 100 yards but training at longer distances can make mid range shots feel easy.

At longer distances, small flaws in your form become big misses. Practicing at 60, 70, or even 100 yards forces you to refine your shot process. Then, when the time comes for a 30 or 40 yard shot, it’ll feel like a chip shot.

5. Get Physically Prepared

Bowhunting is demanding. Whether you’re scaling mountains or hiking flat ground all day, your body needs to be ready.

• Cardio: Get your legs and lungs in shape. Try going for a run, then shooting a few arrows. It simulates the rush of hiking into a shot opportunity with a racing heart rate.

• Strength: Build shoulder and back strength so you can hold full draw when it matters. You may only get one window, and if you can’t stay steady through it, that opportunity is gone. Ideas for strength exercises are pull ups, banded pull aparts, Y T W arm raises and rows are all great exercises for shoulder and back muscles.

6. Shoot from Uncomfortable Positions

Let’s be honest most hunting shots don’t happen from a perfect stance on flat ground. Practice shooting from:

• Kneeling: Great for staying hidden during a spot and stalk or when calling.

• Sitting: Common in tree stands or blinds. This changes muscle engagement and often throws off your level on your bow, watch your sight bubble!

• Twisted or angled stances: These force you to stay balanced and focused on your anchor point and level, even when your body isn’t in an ideal position.

Get creative and train for chaos. That way, when a buck steps out from an odd angle, you’re not panicking to figure it out in the moment.

Final Thoughts

The offseason is the perfect time to get better not just at shooting, but at being ready for anything the hunt throws your way. Practicing long shots, tight windows, and unconventional positions builds real confidence. Training your body in the gym or on the trail ensures you’re physically ready to capitalize on tough opportunities.

All this prep leads to one thing: making your one shot count. When August rolls around, and that bull or buck steps into range, you’ll be ready.

Stay sharp and shoot straight

– Zack Hayes (Hayz Outdoors)