Before the shot?

[InDeep]

another season has went by , and more animals have been missed .. Just not sure , I cant possibly shoot anymore than I do ..So my question is what do you do to keep composure , I know many will say , "pick a spot" . But I'm looking for what you do before you" pick that spot"? Do you practice it? I know silly at times to think a guy has to talk himself into a shot but that's were I'm at!!

 

[HellsCanyon]

Every single shot over the summer I'm visualizing a trophy mule deer in different situations.... and as corny as it sounds if I start to get too exciting before taking a shot I repeat in my head: "I'm a killer and killers don't get buck fever... pick a spot make the shot and get excited afterwards". Usually that and a focused deep breath has me calm as can be.

Mike

 

[velvetfvr]

I practice 3d shoots and it helps. But one thing that might help, when your shooting, hype yourself up. Get that adrenaline flowing like buck fever. I would then figure out what calms you down. I am gonna try this this year practicing and see if I can find how to beat it. I did kill a buck but I feel like figuring how to calm the adrenaline and or shoot with it, might help.

 

[packer58]

I think there is a lot more to executing a perfect shot than just picking a spot on an animal. I mentally go through my pre shot routine during practice and during the hunt.....my routine is draw, anchor, grip, level then pic a spot in that order every time. If you give that a try you may find that the "pre shot routine" will occupy your mind during the moment of truth and not let it race away with excitement. There's plenty of time for that later.

 

[ssliger]

I do not have a lot of experience bow hunting, but my advice would be to not over think things. I recently released my very first arrow at an animal. I practice a lot at regular targets all year long, have never done 3D. But when that bull stepped out, I didn't range him, I didn't think, I just estimated him at 30 yards, put the pin right behind his shoulder, did not notice my bubble level. Just released. It all happened real fast. I also did not look at his rack, I just knew it was an elk. I think this helped as well. I am sure to have misses in the future.

 

[trophyhill]

a lot of guys are great shots on their targets and then the season hits and they have a live animal in front of them and fall apart at the "moment of truth". some guys have ice in their veins from the onset and others have to develop it. the most important thing for me is to constantly remind myself to stay focused. I had to develop into a killer with my bow. it was easy with a rifle but with a bow I had to train myself to stay calm and focused. I did this by more shooting than most and shooting 3d's when I could. there is a certain amount of pressure when you have others watching you. now it has become second nature when it's time to make that shot count. I don't want to have to think about all the steps it takes to make a great shot and I don't anymore. it's just like breathing. you don't think about it. it just happens. don't second guess yourself and know you can make a quick clean kill. eliminate the "what ifs" in your mind before you enter the woods.

 

[JNDEER]

Picking a spot does help, but for me and the guys I hunt with our problems were always that we "peeked" right after the shot....this would always cause a miss.

We practice holding the bow arm still after releasing. Before I release an arrow I will remind myself to keep the bow arm still, this usually fixes that "peek" problem. The rest is on you, your practicing and actually picking the spot you want to hit.

 

[Jake Leibke]

One thing that I have noticed in the past, before I was more into shooting a "trophy" buck, I used to shoot at least 4 does per season. Lately I have been concentrating on bigger bucks and not shooting as many does. I have noticed I get more of a case of buck fever when I decide to take a shot. If possible maybe shoot at more game animals, does, rabbits, grouse, squirrel, whatever to give you that edge and be more relaxed when shooting at live game.

 

[KMT]

I don't do anything special before a shot. I practice d shooting before the season and try to shoot a few times during the season. When it's "go time," I just shoot.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

I find it helps to adopt a stoic mindset, blocking out all emotion and remaining completely focused on the mechanics of the situation. I run thru the "must dos" in my head, careful to draw at the right time, take only the shot I know I can't screw up and following thru. Once the shot is done, then I get all shakey as the emotions come rushing in. I learned to do this by fishing...most big pelagic fish are lost at gaff. After my share I calmed down and focused on the tasts I had to accomplish and now I can just block out my emotions at will when I am doing something that requires all my focus. Comes in handy after a hard fall on the mountain, when your body is stung by bugs and plants and your just worn out.

 

[PhillyB]

Every single shot over the summer I'm visualizing a trophy mule deer in different situations.... and as corny as it sounds if I start to get too exciting before taking a shot I repeat in my head: "I'm a killer and killers don't get buck fever... pick a spot make the shot and get excited afterwards". Usually that and a focused deep breath has me calm as can be.

Mike

Same here, I have to repeat saying in my head and remember to breathe... I have to get pissed off at the animal, telling myself I have beat him at his own game. That temporary anger typically focuses my mind on the shot, rather than the emotion.

Its kinda like a boxing match, during the fight I despised my opponent. However, after the final round I admired and respected the individual for there efforts. Same with my bowhunting...

 

[InDeep]

Goos stuff guys I appriciate it.. I have heard from others about getting angry , But I find it hard .. Thanks all keep it coming

 

[Jon Boy]

I used to get buck fever BAD. I would just get caught up in the emotion and not think. Then I would literally have to tell myself to calm down and think, almost as if a third person excluded from the situation is telling myself to stay calm and focus on the shot. It actually cost me some animals because I wouldnt rush the shot and have to take my sweet time. But rushing the shot had cost me animals in the past so its better than missing. Ive been doing that for a few seasons and its helped a lot. Now for the most part I dont get as excited and I can just think about the shot placement.

 

[boom]

i'm the opposite. if i can get to a position to come to full draw on an animal i am golden. there is something weird going on in my head, or my adrenalin dump. my pins are so steady, almost rock solid. so much so, i usually think to myself.."hmm..that's weird, the pins are rock solid"

one time i had a tiny wild pig poke it's head out. i visualized the vitals, came to full draw. i held the pins on him and waited for him to take one more step..that he never took. but damn!! my pins were anchored!! (he winded me, and turned and ran)

now my animal stalking skills blow. full draw on an animal is rare for me. cept for turkey.

i come unglued after the shot.

 

[littlebuf]

you guys are thinking waaaaay to much. front sight, peep, release. it doesn't matter what your shooting at, its all the same.

 

[Jon Boy]

you guys are thinking waaaaay to much. front sight, peep, release. it doesn't matter what your shooting at, its all the same.

Well in my case I was thinking at all hahaha I remember the first time I ever shot at a deer with my now, a blacktail doe at age 14 or 15. I drew my bow back aimed it in her direction and shot. I hit 3 feet low and my buddy asked what pin I was using...I didnt have a good answer cus I couldnt even remember if I aimed or not

Im better now and when my P&Y 6 point bull stepped out this year at 36 yards, I wasnt even rattled, just focused on the task at hand and thats all she wrote.
Ill never forget the excitement I felt when I shot at that little doe years ago though, I doubt ill ever feel that again.

 

[PhillyB]

you guys are thinking waaaaay to much. front sight, peep, release. it doesn't matter what your shooting at, its all the same.

For some it is that easy... for others it is not.

Something about sneaking into range undetected gets my blood flowing and my mind racing. My mind is working as fast as my heart... if I dont think it through, its a lost cause.

 

[Shrek]

i'm the opposite. if i can get to a position to come to full draw on an animal i am golden. there is something weird going on in my head, or my adrenalin dump. my pins are so steady, almost rock solid. so much so, i usually think to myself.."hmm..that's weird, the pins are rock solid"

one time i had a tiny wild pig poke it's head out. i visualized the vitals, came to full draw. i held the pins on him and waited for him to take one more step..that he never took. but damn!! my pins were anchored!! (he winded me, and turned and ran)

now my animal stalking skills blow. full draw on an animal is rare for me. cept for turkey.

i come unglued after the shot.

Boom , I'm the same way. I'm never steadier than when I'm on an animal but the moment after I fire I'm done. I've had to drop down and lay on the ground to keep from falling down and hurting myself. I had one buck come from the far side of a big swamp pond grunting all the way. Hearing him splashing and grunting had me shaking uncontrollably. The moment he came into view the shakes quit and I tracked him for about eighty yards but not shot in the thick stuff. As soon as I lost sight I started shaking again. Then he came back my way grunting and splashing and 5 does going every which way. As soon as I could see him I went still and drilled him. It took a half an hour for my strenght to return enough to climb down with my climber. I hope I never loose that level of excitement.

 

[dreamingbig]

Shot sequence! It needs to be repeatable and automatic in crunch time. My shooting accuracy took a turn for the better when I started shooting every day even if only 10 yards in my garage. My sequence is perfect grip, draw, anchor, nose to string & knuckle to jaw, check bubble, aim small (miss small), and pull thru the shot. Aim all the way thru! You will start getting results.

And shoot 3d with your buddies. It helps a lot.

 

[Jacob Chapman]

I still get deer fever every time, I prepare for that by sprinting as hard as I can for 100 yards, and immediately pick up my bow and shoot ONE broad head tipped arrow. I worked on controlling my breathing and that helped a lot. Like most others, as soon as the shot is away I fall apart haha! But that's what's fun about bow hunting and I don't think that feeling will ever go away. I really think that simulates "deer fever" for me so I can practice