This is my second season with traditional ONLY and passed on a deer last year (wish I wouldnt have done that)but it didnt feel right. I have shot plenty of deer in my compound days, and have came unglued LOTS of times due to pure excitment. Now with the confidence out to 20-22yards with my longbow, How Do I keep from coming UNGLUED if this guy comes through :confused: :eek: We hunt in a marshy area, and its real thick. We had to cut lanes on Sun morning just so I cant try to walk in a little easier, and quietley.Im one of those guys that become unglued around a doe... How the heck am I supposed to keep it toghter around something like this? :banghead: :banghead: I try to pick a spot, but traditional to me is 99% mental... If Im even lucky enough to get a crack at him....I just hope I have what it takes to seal the deal!!!!
(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn125/frassettor/1220362544.jpg)
(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn125/frassettor/1220362545.jpg)
Think of a time when you were the most calm and peaceful. Think of one word that you can say to yourself that takes you back there. When you feel yourself coming "unglued", repeat that word calmly to yourself and take deep calming breaths.
This is a simplistic version. Really, there's more to it. I have a book and tape.
Have you tried shooting at small game. I think that helps also.
What ever you do DON'T look at the head gear! You still have to pick a spot and have confidence you are going to hit that spot. If you look at the head gear or the whole deer you gonna blow the shot.
Here's a thought that comes from 26 years of working emergency situations as a paramedic. Don't think about what you are seeing. Think about what you need to do. Focus on the job at hand. In EMS that meant tuning out the noise, the chaos, the blood and focusing on airway, breathing, circulation, stop major bleeding, etc. There was a formula for what I had to do. There is a formula for hunting, too. In deer hunting it means ignoring the horns and focusing on that one spot you need to hit. If you can do it on a foam deer or other inanimate target you can do it on the real thing. Nothing about the shot is different provided you have practiced shooting from a position like that which you hunt from (ie: treestand or whatever). Finally, unlike the situation in EMS where there is no choice but to act, in hunting you can always pass on the shot. If you are too shaky or a shot you are comfortable with doesn't present itself let the deer go. It's probably not like you are going to starve if you don't get this particular deer. There's a huge difference between hunting and simple killing. The privilege of seeing a deer like the one in the photos up close is a trophy in itself.
JMHO,
John
I agree John, Its sure nice just to see him
Hey Richard take me to where he lives and I'll show you bud. :D
Seriously though, John gave you real solid advice.
If you need help I'll come by and try! Maybe a hands-on training session is in order... just kidding. I like the k.i.s.s. approach. Keep It Simple Stupid. I try not to focus on the head, think just about "the spot", draw back, release, and follow through. Let us know how it goes.
Jeremy
I will definatley keep you guys informed...Personally this is the biggest 8 point I ever seen. I have a pic now ...thats a trophy in itself. Hope I do get a crack at him....God willing. Our place is one big bedding area, so Im not to sure what wind to hunt just yet, because Im not sure of his travel route
I agree with jhansen think of what needs to be done NOT what you see,after nearly 20 years as a practical nurse I have seen some things, and no you dont think about it while it is going on or you totaly lose it ,you have time for that afterwards.
keep em sharp and aim small! :campfire:
Pick your spot on the deers chest. Look at nothing else. Use good form and watch the broadhead split his hide... Then come unglued watching him run off to pile up 40 yards away.. LOL
John III
i came unglued just looking at the pics lol, good luck with that one!! :archer:
John Hansen, that was just about the best advice post that I've ever read on here. I'm going to find a quote in there somewhere and keep it with me. Thanks.
Experience - the more times you are around deer like that the easier it becomes. I'm not saying it doesn't still get the blood pumping, I'd quit hunting if it did. But now days I am much calmer than when I first started hunting. I got some unexpected help with my nerves when our DNR started implementing earn-a-buck in several of the areas I hunt. Never fails that when I need to shoot a doe, I'll have big bucks all around me. It helps to sit and watch nice bucks up close when you know you can't shoot them.
Beautiful animal, just focus on the edible parts and not the do-dads.You can look at those after the meat is in the freezer.Good Luck & have a safe season. Leland
I usually am good until after the encounter. That is when I get rattled whether I killed the animal or missed completely. If I find myself getting too excited prior to the shot, I tell myself that I probably won't get a shot, but I should be ready just in case. THat usually calms me down.
Gregg
After 30 years of hunting.My heart beats so hard that i swear the deer is going to hear it. When i get close to a deer 1/2 that big. Just try to calm your self best you can.And remember Johns post. If you dont get tore up when a buck like that comes around what are you hunting for. Have fun, looking forward to reading about your hunt
I like shooting at a 3d deer target the last month or so (and during the season). It also helps me by shooting from treestands, etc. It "trains" your mind that you have done this before so when bigboy steps in, you don't panic (as much).
I stump alot and try not to think!!!!1
I remember to breath alot!! I talk to myself the whole way thru. Best method I have found.
You are SUPPOSED to come unglued.
If you have been practicing, and shooting well, then it comes down to focus, and concentrating on the spot to hit, just like jhansen said.
Confidence. Arrows fly perfectly. Broadheads sharp. Concentrate, draw, anchor, release, follow through.
Best of luck.
Once I decide to take a buck, I don't look his rack again. At this point I avert my eyes and only take short glances at the animal, as I believe deer in particular can "feel" your predatory gaze in them.
When I'm ready to shoot, I focus on a small patch of hair or visible spot in the kill zone, come to full draw, and attempt to bisect the spot with my broadhead...
Fantastic deer, lots of good advice, looking forward to pics and story of the hunt.
bhfp
Honestly, besides the Just doin it part... here's the ticket
(http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn33/elkbreath/5ff64282.jpg)
:thumbsup:
guys that can pick these little buggers off regularly at hunting distances :notworthy: are better at pickin the spot when it counts, IMO. Just ups your odds that much more without having lotsa kills under your belt.
I don't know everyone is different. Heck I've shot three squirrels in one day and then later completely missed a deer! For me a couple of posters have said what works for me. Once I decide I'm gona take a deer, either buck or doe, I pick a hair on it's side where I want to watch my arrow dissappear and never take my eyes off it. After that it's those tons of practice shots that take over and most times I don't remember pulling the bow back etc just watch that arrow slide in that spot!
The fact that hunting an animal like that can make us come " ungluded" is exactly why we hunt!!
When the posibility of not becoming unglued happens, I may be close to quiting hunting!
When I stopped coming unglued I will take up cruises to the Caribbean.
Im sure when the time comes, I will figure it out...If not, there will be another gift sent my way....sometime
I deal with it by tuning them into targets in my mind.They are only 3d targets and I am looking the 10 ring when they come in and nothing else.Most times I could not tell you how many points a deer has untill he is dead.A quick glance and the decision to kill him is all it takes to switch me into target mode and he no longer is a live animal in my mind. :D
I can't speak for anyone else,I still come unglued from time to time. I have found a method that has paid big dividens in the last four to five years.
I believe that buck fever is a natural thing. So I don't fight it. It is what you do with it in the first few seconds after it shows up.
It Gods way of preparing our body for the task at hand. For many of us, we then take the wrong track, we begin to worry about what might go wrong. I turn it around and play a slightly different recording. I expect a positive out come, I visualize the arrow going through the spot I am going to hit, not just once, but over and over until the act is completed for real.
A friend of mind tells me that he keeps convincing himself that he doesn't want to take the animal. The whole while he is preparing for the shot, and then as he reaches full draw, he drops the string. It works for him...
I'm with you, Rich. A doe gives me the shakes, anything with antlers - well, I have to direct all my attention to a small hair just behind his shoulder. If I even think about headgear I just pass on the shot, I won't take the chance of wounding him. Hopefully he'll be around again soon.
I agree with all. It is individual. Small game, picking the spot every time, has helped me a bunch. Now, even if I come unglued etc, picking a spot is part of the shot process, so If I;m drawing I'm pickin a spot, even if that means my bow arm is shakin like a quakin aspen!
I come unglued when shooting a doe at 300 yards with my rifle - knowing well ahead of time that when I pull the trigger, she's dead (U.S. Army sniper training). I've never been close enough to shoot one with a bow and don't know what I'll do then either.....