I've only recently started deer hunting again after a 17 yr. layoff. and is my first year traditionally. Anyway, I pretty much have these deer pinpointed in my woods. Had a doe come walking toward me and to my left. My heart starts a heavy beat when I first see her. She gets about twenty yards and is walking closer and I decide to raise my bow, "I'm gonna get a shot!" I think to myself. My hearts gotta be at 150 bpm and I seriously don't know if I can can make the shot its beating so hard. Well, since I had to backtrack finding my blind when I went in earlier, she stopped right where I had walked in, turned and walked back the way she came in, so no shot. I haven't felt that kind of exitement in a long time. Any tips you experienced guys out there could give me in controlling ones excitement when about to shoot? Deep breathe? Zen? Yoga?....Phil
thats what its about
what a rush
i try to use deep breaths and to focus on the spot i want the arrow to enter
I take a couple deep breaths and try to slow down and concentrate on a spot and making the shot.
Seems as though when you realize it's time to shoot that the adrenalin kicks in....very normal. Do nothing but focus on the spot you want to hit. I find the more I concentrate on where the arrow needs to go the better the shot even if I'm shaking like a leaf! You've just experienced the best drug in the world....welcome!
BTW, I've killed deer before with guns and wheels and have experienced the heartbeat thing before, but my Lord, its a bit different feeling getting ready to shoot while on the ground with a longbow and homemade arrow, huh?!
Come to think of it, all I was thinking is what a small target she made as a whole. I wasn't even thinking "pick a spot". I need to make myself do that....Phil
Imagine what it was like for primitive man...where what he did, meant food for his family or empty bellies.
The difference between your wheel bow, and your longbow, is the wheels tell you when you are at full draw, and the sights get you on target.
Your longbow is at full draw when YOU say it is, and when you are on target it is because YOU are doing the alignment.
When a shot opportunity arrives, you simply rely on your confidence gained through practice.
Do NOT allow any worries of a miss or a bad hit into your mind. Be confident.
A shot opportunity is when an animal is within your effective range, is at a good angle to get both lungs, and is unaware of your presence.
After a 17 year layoff, you came back with a longbow because you wanted "more" out if it right? If it`s "more" you wanted...it`s "MORE" you got!!! :thumbsup:
The more time you spend with the deer the less that initial rush effects you. So spend more time at it.
I still get that rush the first deer I have in range each year. It's s good thing.
Breathing is important! I think a lot of guys start to breath real shallow or even hold their breath when the target animal is at hand.
That starts to deprive the brain of oxygen and that don't help nothin'.
Learn to focus on the spot you want the arrow to go and only that (while you are watching the animals body language, searching the cover for the best spot to shoot to, and in general having a heart attack.
:D
I not sure I get it that bad but it maybe that I learned to control it before I started hunting. The feeling kind of reminds me of speaking in public, and I deal with buck fever the same way. Like the others have said you must maintain your normal breathing pattern. This part is hard to explain and probably where familiarity with the situation comes into play. You have to will your body into acting in a deliberate manner. If you focus your body will stop shaking, your breathing will normalize, and you will move at a cautioos pace. If you have a method to beat public speaking anxiety it may help you here.
Phil, Enjoy the adrenaline surge. I would like to address the other issue you stated of how aiming at a deer seems like such a small target. This is something I experienced also when switching over from wheelie bow to trad. What has helped me is not always shooting at a big flat target while practicing. I have found shooting at one of the deer size and shaped targets without a spot on it has helped me tremendously. It also helps you focus on a smaller spot rather than aiming at the whole deer at the moment of truth.
If you will practice like this the adrenaline rush may subside some as you will have more confidence with the potential shot on a deer.
Good luck to you brother and enjoy it as long as you can.
TJ
I always imagine that the deer is naked! :D
Hahaha oh my, that will sidetrack this thread for sure Charlie.
I had a HUGE black bear come in once, and I THOUGHT I was pretty calm. My heart was okay, and I was thinking clear. When I tried to stand up, my legs shook so bad that I could not stand to turn. I tried several times and failed. I was laughing at myself that I had no control over my own legs. He lumbered off, all I could do was smile.
When you loose that feeling, take up bowling.
Seriously, I get that way each and every time.
Can't think of many things I would trade for it.
QuoteI always imagine that the deer is naked
:biglaugh: :biglaugh: :biglaugh:
My Sensi taught us to clear our minds - "Miso no Kokora" or something like that. Literally "mind of bee paste". Imagine smoothing a piece of wax before writing on it with a stylus pen. Or a stormy sea that calms to mirror smooth.
It truly is a mental game and you have to get your mind right.
BUT DON'T STARE AND DON'T MAKE EYE CONTACT!
I always thought of those moments as the beginnings of "buck fever" and yes it can happen even with does..lol
I did something that almost anyone would call extreme( by any standards) to help me get "through it", not over it. I seriously doubt I'll ever get "over it"
I used my nephew as an excuse to go to the St. Louis zoo. I found the deer enclosure and got as close to them as was allowed and spent all of my time right there while the wife and nephew enjoyed the rest of what the zoo had to offer.
Just learning to be in close proximity to them without shaking or hyperventilating was enough to let me finally take my 1st deer with a bow that same fall.
God bless,Mudd
Read KentuckyTJ's previous post and take it to heart.
The more lifelike the target you can practice on the better you'll shoot on the real thing.
To me it is all about picking the spot and never taking my eyes off of it.
Good ideas ya'll. TJ, its funny because when I first saw her, my second thought was "her body makes a smaller target than the hay bale!" Time to get or make some life sized targets... without a bullseye!....Phil
What I try to do is take a couple deep breathes then focus on your spot. Try not to look at the whole animal and pretend that you're shooting the 3-d in the backyard and concentrate on form and release. This helps take your mind off what's going on and take s you to a comfortable and familiar place. However in certain situations. I have forgotten to do this myself and sent an arrow between a bucks antlers. But, if I didn't get so excited(even with does) I wouldn't want to do it.
QuoteOriginally posted by Charlie Lamb:
I always imagine that the deer is naked! :D
You stole my line! Lol
First I begin getting into position as soon as I decide I am going for a shot. You don't need the added pressure of trying to pull that off at close range. I then only watch the deer with my peripheral vision. No starring and as the deer gets in range I only focus on the spot.
I don't mind the shaking so much, but trying to keep the arrow on the shelf is hard. I feel like an epileptic off the drugs. How can a deer NOT see the arrow bouncing up and down like a bird leaving a branch. I love it. When I was younger, I had a doe trot by, I shook so hard that I had to put my bow down and hold on to a tree because I was shaking so bad. I was on the ground too, it wouldn't have been a long fall. Welcome to the sport.
Hold your breath, pinch your cheeks together,close your eyes, count to 100, then it will be all over.
I stay really calm until I make the shot,then its racing heartbeat kneeshakin,fast breathing.What a wonderful feeling
I just tell myself..it's just a deer..
X2 KentuckyTJ's. One other thing on size, pick that spot and dont think about size the center of a golf ball is the same size as the center of a basket ball
I usually just think to myself "Now, how are you gonna mess this up" and laugh to myself.
I think I will try Charlies way the next time! :laughing:
X3 Kentucky TJ's.I never shoot bullseyes,I force myself to create an imaginary one.Like Pepper said if the "doe fever" goes away take up a new sport.
Charlie that was funny !
I think the closer you let them get , the harder your heart beats. That is part of the game.
You can, and will overcome it. . . eventually. Enjoy it while you can. It is awesome and tells you that you are human (really human, not a person that sends their animals elsewhere to be butchered so you can eat the meat but not feel fettered with the kill.) It is what we are. . that's all.
ChuckC
I really focus on picking a spot burn it into your minds eye. you got to focus! you can shoot all the 3-d you want but you cant get the rush from a foam filled buck!once you learn to shoot the rest is in your head you gotta keep your self calm you only have to keep yourself together for a few moments in most cases.the more animals you get in front of you the better it will get,but hope it never goes away.good luck an no matter what never give up make it happen do it the trad way
I pretend I'm in the basement on my range visuallizing perfect shots - piece of cake -- it doesn't work all the time though!
I personally find the longer I watch the deer the calmer I get.I get very shaky if it comes in fast and I get a shot fast.I'd rather I had no rush whatsoever.I'd rather be a calm killer than a shaky wounder.I like well placed shots,short blood trails and hero pics...not sleepless nights and wounds.But that's just me.
A wise old archer told me to drill a hole in the animal where you are going to shoot, it and that always has helped me and I remembered that.And block out looking at the horns of course when the big guy comes in.Easier said than done,and I still can get caught on that one.The heart beating fast is a good thing.The breathing is important and will help alott.Best of luck!
QuoteOriginally posted by Charlie Lamb:
I always imagine that the deer is naked! :D
Too funny, I guess the alternative is a clothed deer? I can see deer wearing tacky sweaters during the holidays!
I always tell my son to focus on one tiny spot: aim small miss small. As for me, I freak out!
I joined in with a outdoor video production company here in Michigan and have spent a lot of time behind the camera and I believe somthing another video producer once said is when you spend more time with deer in front of you the easier to get through to the shot. Now after that I go to jellow!!! I enjoy the sight of watching them walk in, I've already gone through every shooting possibility in my mind waiting for them to show up in the first place. As things start to fall into place I focus on the little spont I want that arrow to end up and focus just on that until the string slips from my fingers. THEN my heart does mock 12 (I love that part)
ain't it great...
Ok after you decide to shot this animal only look at the spot you intend to slip the arrow through.. do not look at the animal as a whole just the 'spot' and keep breathing... you will have plenty of time to shake after the shot...
I'm gettin' nervous again just thinking about it. Just breathe... pick a spot... 911! 911! Naw, I'll be alright :cool: ....Phil
I put my ex wifes face right on the vitals....makes me concentrate harder... :eek: :nono:
:laughing:
Thats it!EX MOTHER-IN-LAW!....Phil