* Although they give less skill than real arrows, it is best to use arrow shafts when practicing in this way as they are far easier to make and won't damage the target too much.
* Firing on the target from outside your bow's optimal range will increase the difficulty, and thus increase your skillgain at higher skill levels.
* Practicing at night will similarly increase the difficultly, so if you find the skingain skillgain slowing you may want to practice when it's dark instead.
* Beyond 40 skill the only way to gain further is by using archery on animals or in player vs. player combat.