Need some advice, losing confidence fast

[moleman]

I too go through this from time to time, and in my case its caused by trying to shoot the arrow and not the target. Once i start putting my focus on the target to be hit rather than worrying about the arrow, it all starts coming together again.
Like an old man once told me " shoot the target, not the arrow".

[30coupe]

Originally posted by Bill Skinner:
Get a lighter bow, at least 10 pounds lighter than what you are shooting now.  Work on form for 6-12 shots at the start and finish of each practice session, to warm up at first and and to correct what you did wrong during practice.

I did this and the difference is amazing. A light bow shows every little error: torquing the string, plucking the string, inconsistent anchor, you name it. You can also make a lot more shots to work on form without fatigue setting in.

Besides, it is a great excuse to add another bow to the arsenal.    

[wapitirod]

when I was having problems the guys here made two suggestions that really helped, first only shoot one arrow at a time, I was shooting up to a dozen.  The break in between shots helps.  The second was to back off some so I started shooting every other day or so for a little while and things fell back into place.  I found when things were going bad and I kept shooting and pushing to fix it, things just got worse.  I was better off if I was shooting bad to put the bow up and do something else for a while.  I also had to try and quit analyzing myself and let my muscle memory take over and quit over thinking the shots.  The more I though about it the worse I got.

[onewhohasfun]

How are you practicing? I only stump shoot. The only target I have is in the basement for shooting in the dead of winter. I shoot tough footed carbons for the reason that I will shoot at anything, anywhere and not worry what happens to my arrow.
Try and simulate real scenarios while practicing. Pounding arrows into a target butt actually hurts my shooting at real game.

[ALwoodsman]

Right before deer season I went through about a two week period where my shooting was gradually getting worse every day.  I was getting discouraged like you are.  The week before the season started I was busy doing other things and was unable to shoot at all for almost a week.  This time off cured me.  The next time I went out to shoot I put them all where it counts.  Take a break and see how that helps.  Sometimes it is easy to over think things.

[Stone Knife]

When I start shooting like crap during  practice I just set the bow down and come back a different day. Sometimes over thinking what your doing makes you shoot bad. As far as hunting goes most of the time it's not picking a spot on the animal, somehow calm down and pick that spot the shot will take care of it's self your brain has that part figured out already.

[overbo]

START HUNTING SMALL GAME instead of deer!

One of the NO,NO's of tradbow hunting is people start w/ big game and never hunt squirrels and such.I did this as well but I found shooting small game gives one more shot opportunities and builds great confidence.

[calgarychef]

Yup hunt small game and go do some stump shooting.

[Lefty]

In my opinion you need to develop a good shot sequence and then repeat it until you can perform it at a subconsious level.  
 There is a really good book called "Idiot Proof Archery" that help me a great deal.  Another good author to read on the subject is J. Kidwell!

[mrjsl]

Stump shooting and small game hunting is great advice. Take every shot opportunity in the woods that you can.

[ddauler]

Just hang in there and shoot up close build confidence. A lot of good advice here lots of drills draw anchor get sight picture let down every practice session. Read Kidwells book the drills really help.