What does it take to be clutch?

[Hnthrdr]

Lots of natural born killers, also comes with learned experience a lot. When to slow down and when to push it, when to shoot, when to wait, when to call, when not to. Patience! Ect ect ect…. Called a nice bull in for my BIL in a heavily pressured OtC unit and he hesitated at 50 yards, never got another chance last year. Some people have the drive, some people don’t.

 

[il_cop]

Most consistent high performers, regardless of the pursuit, combine a maniacal focus on process with an equally maniacal focus on being present and acutely aware of the moment and their surroundings.

Very few (none that I'm aware of) focus on outcomes or results, at least admittedly.

If we're achieving outcome without process or awareness, we're getting lucky...being lucky isn't being great. Eventually luck will run out.

Easier said than done obviously. And unlike most pursuits, hunting doesn't present as many real world reps from which to hone a process. But I think the philosophy still holds up.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

You are way ahead of many I wouldn’t get discouraged about “being clutch”. You’re into bulls and having chances which is great.

Spend more time with the elk when it’s not hunting season and learn what works and what doesn’t.

 

[AkMtnRunner]

Obsess about the process, especially when it gets exciting. Set the mind on 'how will I be successful on this trip?' rather than 'will I be successful on this trip?'.

 

[Alpineelk]

Great insight guys. I feel like reps is really the only way to learn some of those things. But it's a painful way watching a bull run out of your life knowing u should have had him.
Also beingz I don't get the whole season to hunt like some of u (I'm jealous) and I hunt kind of a low density elk population I don't get a ton of reps per year so got to make everyone count

 

[ResearchinStuff]

Find an animal you can practice killing. Groundhogs and whitetail does have really helped me, same with 3d shoots

 

[Hnthrdr]

Great insight guys. I feel like reps is really the only way to learn some of those things. But it's a painful way watching a bull run out of your life knowing u should have had him.
Also beingz I don't get the whole season to hunt like some of u (I'm jealous) and I hunt kind of a low density elk population I don't get a ton of reps per year so got to make everyone count

This is true, and for most guys that kill a lot, they have experience the turn and run way more often. Part of makes connecting so special

 

[Fullfan]

There are hunters, and there are killers.

 

[Elkhuntinfool78]

In my opinion a lot of it comes down to controlling your emotions in the moment. That comes easier for some than others.

No doubt everyone has a bit of adrenaline rush/excitement but being able to stay calm and make good decisions is key. No doubt experience helps and no amount of practice makes up for lack of experience.

As someone else mentioned if you're able to get out and be around elk in the off season that can help. When I first got into archery I spent a lot of time putting stalks on elk , deer, bears, etc during the off season. I feel that helps a lot both in preparing yourself for the emotional aspect as well as learning alot about their behavior and body language which goes a long ways in having confidence in your decision making, knowing when to move, stay put, when to call and when to stay quiet, etc.

 

[Marshfly]

You gotta know how to move when near elk.
My WT buddy from Illinois thought I was crazy, but I showed him the difference.
That difference equals success, at least for me.

Expand on this one please.

 

[Weldor]

Learn from your mistakes, and try not to repeat them. It's a mental game play it all year.

 

[Deadspace]

Mindset, practice, and gear setup.

This exactly and what @Beendare mentioned having a mantra. With a bow I say to myself peep, pin, puuuuuuuull. I say it while I practice too. And for rifle I just say to myself breath out and sqeeeeeeeze. And sometimes I actually say it out loud depending on the situation

 

[spike camp]

Expand on this one please.

You can run at elk.
You need to move with the herd, and be aggressive at times.
Sometimes when in the thick of it, you can bust cows or small bulls while pushing towards a bull.

None of this works in the whitetail woods.

 

[PredatoronthePrairie]

Guess I could of been more clear, I'm not just talking about elk. Think it comes from the sum of all your experience. Don't even wanna know how many blackbirds meet their demise on grandmas farm. Wore out multiple bb guns and then moved on to 22s. Everything from sneaking on rabbits to whitetail does lays a foundation. So when the moment a big bull finally steps out. You've already been in those situations countless times before.

 

[5MilesBack]

You can be clutch all you want, but stuff happens that is well outside of what you can control. Control what you can, and success will still come eventually. You can't make mistakes and expect to be successful on mature bulls. And also understand that mature bulls have an incredible 6th sense. Also, your shooting process should be automatic by September, no thinking involved. I'm a fast shooter, and as soon as the bull gives me a clear shot I don't hesitate. I always have my mind made up whether I'm shooting a bull or not, even before I see him.......just from how the encounter has gone. So when he shows himself, I don't have to study him......I'm just looking for the crease while at full draw.

 

[idahodave]

Being a killer is a "learned" skill. Some people are born with better instincts than others for sure, but all of us learn how to do it...be it through friends/family, books, videos, forums....or our own experiences.

The other variable is how long it takes to learn to be that guy. Some pick up the bread crumbs immediately and some take much, much longer to get there.

Dave

 

[aachey]

I think it takes more luck than skill in my experiences. Although with enough perseverance you can create your own luck.

 

[Fogalo]

Being clutch is just the ability to heighten your focus under pressure. It translates, business, hunting, golf, baseball. Get used to operating well under pressure and you’ll be clutch.

 

[Beendare]

Most consistent high performers, regardless of the pursuit, combine a maniacal focus on process with an equally maniacal focus on being present and acutely aware of the moment and their surroundings.

Very few (none that I'm aware of) focus on outcomes or results, at least admittedly.

If we're achieving outcome without process or awareness, we're getting lucky...being lucky isn't being great. Eventually luck will run out.

Easier said than done obviously. And unlike most pursuits, hunting doesn't present as many real world reps from which to hone a process. But I think the philosophy still holds up.

I think you nailed it.

Sure experience teaches us what we can and cannot do when close to critters...and it teaches us what to do...and what not to do when shooting. But what about the hunter with little to no experience? Back in the day we would hunt OTC Co with a bow and almost get a shot a day. Now, it might be one shot in a week or more of hunting. That makes it hard to gain experience. I think the one comment above saying practice on small game is a winner.

I think a guy can develop a process and practice it to make him more of a killer in the woods. Just shooting arrow after arrow standing at even yardage...or bullet after bullet from a bench drone like doesn't prepare us for a real encounter.

The real encounters is where we can lose our focus. The thoughts creep in....how far is he....should I wait for a different angle....and then there is the very bad thoughts like - "What if I miss?"


Most guys I've hunted with that missed or screwed up an archery shot opportunity fall into a few categories; They either fidgeted and buggered the animal moving wrong....or waited for 'the perfect shot' and it never came even though they had a good shot opportunity....or they zoned out and fell apart on shot execution.

I do as 5miles does above; I take the first good shot and I'm dang well ready to do it. I have a 3 part quick mantra I tell myself every time I shoot [even in practice] thats quick and directs all of my focus to the shot. I feel my alignment, focus on a tiny spot, and follow through.

Heck, I was shooting carp the other day snap shooting and missing A LOT.....I realized I was peeking wrecking my shots....turns out that shot process is critical even on fish....who knew? Grin

 

[trophyhill]

Being clutch is just the ability to heighten your focus under pressure. It translates, business, hunting, golf, baseball. Get used to operating well under pressure and you’ll be clutch.

Many fall apart at the absolute worse times. As a 3 sport athlete growing up, I saw it all the time. Guys would self impose pressure on themselves. 3-2 bottom of the 9th, 2 outs, bases loaded or runners in scoring position, and guys would whiff every time. Swing and a miss on a fastball right down the middle. Or wave at a horrible ball 4 pitch.

Or a free throw in the final seconds to tie or win a game. I saw guys miss every time. Those who controlled their emotions and stayed focus would sink that free throw or wanted the ball and would sink it more times than not.

Or drive in the tying or game winning run more times than not. I think in alot of ways, focus can equal clutch when the game, or your game is on the line.

A guy may only get 1 chance. The "moment of truth" is no time to fall apart. Stay focused. Especially in the elk killing game. This is clutch. You know what they say. "When the going gets tough"