During the day sometimes I will see how long I can stare at some object...I know sounds weird...but try it sometime. I think it helps to shut out the rest of what is around you and to focus only on that one spot. Kind like what some have said here. But I'll stare at something until I loose focus on it from outside movement or fatigue. When I am at alert with a bugling bull coming in I want to be at FULL alert. I want to be able to just focus on the kill spot...not his antlers, how far it is...whatever...just that spot!

First off you get better because your muscles are warming up.
 Heres what I on the morning or evening before I get in the truck.Before leaving I have a sanders exerciser.It's has the rubBer tubeing and bow handle you draw.I draw it dozzen or so time to losen up.I never shoot at a bulls eye.I'm not into killing 10 rings.I always shoot at a deer target.That is what your hunting not a ten ring.I always leave 3 arrows on my back pourch for this perpose.
  I leave 2 there go out in the yard a only take one arrow a get under the 20 yard marked.
 Now it's up to you consentrate exture hard with that one arrow.And the key here is to consentrate.After that I go in and get the other 2 arrows and shoot them.Next when I get to where I'm hunting at I take a jutio shot in the trucks head lights.
  When I'm in my stand or on the ground I should say that sence i'm a ground hunter starting 3years ago.I draw my bow about every 1/2 hour.
 When I know i'm leaveing I'll take another judio shot.When i'm I my building working bow building etc. Every 1/2 hour or so i'll walk out and take that one shot.Same way if i'm watching tv I'll keep every thing I need and take a shot between shows on my back pourch.
 If you want to you can make alot of first shots.Soon there not first shoots anymore.

I am a "Simple Man" I concentrate on exactly where I want to hit ie: pick "The Spot", Concentrate on getting to "Full Draw", try and insure a "Smoooth Release", and finally let "my instincts take over" as they have controlled thousands of previous shots. Keeping in the back of my mind that this may be the "Only Shot" I get I want it as close to perfect as I can make it.

Gene  

prayer works for me.....

I have in my mind a shot sequence.

1.pick a spot
2.draw
3.come to full draw extension
4.lock in the ancor
5.make sure you still on that spot
6.release
7.keep that bow arm up till you see the arrow hit the spot

Bill

A lot of great advice, but my question is what poundage are you shooting? You should not be overbowed to the point of having to warm up, but it should come back naturally, just as in practice. I started back into trad way over bowed, 60-65#, now shoot between #40-50, shoot much better and the first arrow is  usually right where I  look. When I was shooting a too heavy bow, I shot exactly as you descibe, but now my first, and last shot are usually good. I learned better form and follow through instead of wearing myself out, and shoot better than ever. I took 3 deer and a turkey last year with a #46 recurve and a #45 longbow, none of the deer ran out of sight, used WW broadheads weighted up front. Just wondering if this might be part of the problem, hope this helps.

one way to get better at shootin cnorth is to never shoot from the same distance repeatadly,mix up your distances every shot if possible. this trains your instintive side much faster than repetative shooting from the same distance.like stated a lot on this thread....pick a spot and burn a hole through it.... larry

 

Pick a "spot" within the spot and PRACTICE, PRACTICE and PRACTICE some more so that when the time comes you won't have to think about anything but that spot. Everything will be second nature. I practice with 1 arrow at the range for hours every week. As I practice I remind myself that there isn't a second shot.
This is what works for me..........  

Early morning I will pull the bow back a few times - later in the day I will shoot at a critter if I get a chance. If I go out later in the day I will shoot at target or shoot on my way out at whatever. The first shot thing is much harder to do your first year (at least it was for me) and now sometimes that is my best shot.

another way to perfect your form is called blind shooting if you're brave enough to try it.stand very close 5' at most from a large target area,you need to draw,anchor in and shoot your arrow while blindfolded or eyes closed.this works on your form and is very effective after a few rounds of 4-5 arrows your group will start getting smaller. you can really concentrate on your form and all the components within it.....larry

When I am in a tree stand or on stand I like to flex my muscles to stay loose. I say a Poem when I take my first shot, Over the top, pick a spot, pull back slow and let her go. Pull back slow and  get to your anchor. It might help.

1 shot practice. Only take 1 arrow with you. Whether stump shooting, at a butt or other target. I normally do this about a month before hunting season.

Good luck! - Q.