Dan McCarthy on Tournament Archery
 Editor's Note: Dan McCarthy of Wauzeka, Wisconsin, one of the nation's top tournament archers, shoots professionally in the International Bowhunting Organization (IBO), the Archery Shooter's Association (ASA) and the National Field Archery Association (NFAA) Men's Open Pro division. In 2004, as a rookie, McCarthy won his first-ever pro tournament in Gainesville, Florida, and later three ASA tournaments. He's placed second for Shooter of the Year and the IBO Triple Crown. McCarthy has won five out of seven ASA tournaments he entered in 2005 in the Open Pro Division and has won the ASA Classic and the ASA Shooter of the Year in the Open Pro Division. He's won the NFAA Marked 3D Championship, better known as the Redding Tournament, and quite a few more. He's a threat to win any tournament he enters.
Question: What's your secret for winning so many tournaments?
McCarthy: I'm very blessed. Also, I practice often, and I have a lot of experience shooting under pressure. Because I've won quite a few tournaments, I know how well I need to shoot to win, and how much time I should devote to practice while preparing for a tournament. Experience in tournament archery helps me to be steadier and more ready than someone who doesn't have much tournament experience.
Question: How are you able to focus and concentrate when you're shooting for big money in a tournament?
McCarthy: Each time I've put myself in a competitive situation, I've learned how to focus and more about how to handle the pressure of competition. The best way to prepare for a tournament is to put yourself in as many tournament situations as you possibly can. Then you'll become accustomed to shooting under pressure.
Question: How do you avoid being nervous in an important competition?
 McCarthy: I don't. I don't try to block out my surroundings or fight nerves. Instead, I use my nerves to strengthen me and not to weaken me. In a big tournament, I'm as nervous as anyone else, but I accept my anxiety because I know everyone else is fighting nerves, too. If I'm nervous, I know I'm doing well because everyone who has an opportunity to win will be anxious to some degree, whether or not they admit it. If I'm losing with no chance to win, there's no reason to be nervous. One key to shooting under pressure and winning tournaments is learning how to be nervous without being scared. Don't let your nerves frighten you. If you can turn your feelings of anxiety into anger or some other emotion, and use that feeling to motivate you to shoot better, hold steadier and perform at your highest level, being nervous can become a positive aspect of your shooting instead of a negative one. Anger may not be the best emotion for every shooter, but it works well for me to harness my nerves and use them as a helpful force. One of the things that helps me when I'm down to the last two or three shots in a tough tournament is that I realize everyone else who must make those last shots is just as nervous as me.
Question: What bow and arrow are you shooting?
McCarthy: I shoot a Hoyt ProElite bow with two C2 Cam & 1/2 and Easton arrows.
Question: How important are your optics?
McCarthy: Using quality optics is very important, because my optics allow me to clearly see the target I'm trying to shoot and where my arrow is hitting within the target.
Question: Why do you like Alpen binoculars?
 McCarthy: I like Alpen because it's an American company, and Alpen's products are affordable. Alpen Optics keeps its prices low enough that most outdoorsmen can afford them, and Alpen quality is superior to optics products that sell for three-times the price. I once shot for an European binocular company, but representing a product that most people can't afford was difficult. When I was using a pair of $1,700 binoculars, many people would look through them and comment on how clearly they could see through them. But not many people have $1,700 to spend on a pair of binoculars. However, when I show them a pair of Alpen binoculars, which cost $500 and are as clear and well-built as the $1,700 pair, they realize they can afford the same pair I use to win tournaments. Alpen binoculars are much-more practical for most shooters and hunters, and buyers won't need to miss a house payment to buy Alpen equipment.
Question: What are your five secrets for shooting more accurately with a bow?
McCarthy: The first one is plenty of practice. The second is to put yourself under pressure when you practice. Ask friends and neighbors to watch you, and shoot in a lot of tournaments. Then you can become accustomed to the pressure of having spectators watching you. Third, only choose quality equipment. If you spend your time fixing equipment instead of practicing, and if you're constantly worrying about your equipment's breaking, then you'll be preoccupied and unable to concentrate on the task at hand. Fourth, be honest with yourself and evaluate your performance after every tournament. Whether you win or lose, assess your weaknesses and strengths during the tournament, and spend every moment you have trying to fix your mistakes before your next tournament. Although perfection is unachievable, as long as you're striving for perfection, you'll never hit a plateau. Lastly, choose an idol or a mentor, and set a goal to become like that person. By doing so, you'll have someone to admire and a goal to achieve. I believe that goals are important. You want to set a goal and tell people you want to attain that goal, because then you'll put pressure on yourself to succeed. You'll have the motivation to practice and enter tournaments, so you can accomplish your goal.
Not only is Dan McCarthy one of the nation's best tournament archers, he's also a very accomplished bowhunter. He can place an arrow in a deer at 100 yards or less. Next week, we'll learn how he bowhunts and which shots he will and won't take.
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