I'm sure glad this stress stuff isn't a nemesis for me. Sounds like target panic.   

Luckily I've never had to deal with a panic of any kind in my life. It's just not in my make up. I've never 'panicked' on a shot, hunting, stumping or otherwise. I have killed all three hogs that have charged me, and two of those shots were with witnesses.  Two of them die right there at impact, the other one wheeled and made it 16 to 18 yards.

I'm of the Barry Wenzel take on this.....

"If y'all are going to talk about target panic, I'm leaving. I've never had it, don't want it, nor do I even want to hear about it".

I don't get into or think about breathing cadences either.

Best of luck to you guys that have to deal with this.  There are probably 500 topics on  TP here, and I hear its awful to deal with. 

No charges here, but no stress or panic either. 

I shoot my bow to get away from stress. 

In my experience it seems as though most of the stress archers have is self induced. As a High School teacher and coach I see it in my students and athletes. I call it fear of success. If you have the ability to make a free throw or bowl a strike you should be able to repeat that over and over. The problem happens when it really means something to either you or the team. Doubt starts creeping in. Same thing in archery, make the shot or don't all depends on your faith in your ability that you can.
In a hunting situation if you don't feel it, don't shoot! It's really that simple.

Your last sentence puts it perfectly.... If you have to think about it, the moment is already gone.

Quote from: Kirkll on April 23, 2025, 11:01:25 AM
Your last sentence puts it perfectly.... If you have to think about it, the moment is already gone.

100% for me. My subconscious runs the shot. If my conscious mind gets involved, very rarely, I'm doomed.