Craziest thing ever. I have shot a bow for over 35 years and had a horrible case of target panic this summer. As soon as the pin would get near the bullseye, the arrow was GONE! What a horrible feeling. I couldn't slap the trigger fast enough and my groups were horrible. I figured out it was because I am getting nearly as old as Tony and my shoulders have been bothering me from doing too many pull-ups, push-ups, etc., without warming up properly. The pain in my shoulders was making my brain scream "shoot!", "shoot!". I watched some really helpful video's on Youtube and backed the poundage down to a little over 60 pounds. Last night, I was back to shooting as good as I ever have, but it has taken a lot of work. Most archers will suffer from some sort of target panic during their life and I was just wondering if anyone here had also struggled through this very humiliating experience.
YUP!!!!!!!! I was a wreck this past spring and summer too. i thought it was the new bow i was shooting and not me. "Rick james" posted up some advice, and a check list to go through in your head from start to finish and it totally cured it for me. bad feeling though when your going through it!
Yes! Two years ago I dealt with it and it cost me a nice buck! I didn't have so much when target shooting in the yard I had when I was shooting deer. Once I decided I was going to try and make a harvest I would draw back and as soon as the sight was on the deer wham arrow was gone and in my mind I'm like WTF? I didn't go through my progression I just hit the release! Now I really have to talk myself through the shot step by step! I know people will say its buck fever but I have killed a lot of deer with my bow and never had that problem before! I just think I didn't concentrate and let my emotions get the best of me. Since that year I have really focused and I think my shots have improved tremendously!
Yep, I had it real bad a few years ago. Blank bailing along with drawing, holding, and letting down helped me the most. I still suffer from the occasional "punch" or flinch from time to time if I'm not careful. For that reason I'll blank bail or draw/let down a few times every couple of weeks just to help keep me on track. Target panic sucks.
I've never gotten it that bad, but have gotten to the point where I was anticipating the shot instead of being 100% focused on the spot and letting the execution happen subconsciously. As Justin outlined, blank bale and aiming exercises will fix the problem every time. I've worked with several people that have it bad and it will take work but if you really focus on the blank bale and aiming drills it will clean the problem up every time.
I have been making myself do a slow countdown while the pin floats on the bull. I have also done the aiming and letting down. But, I really think lowering the poundage on my bow to eliminate the shoulder pain was a key factor in getting back to shooting well. Last night was the first night that I walked into the house with a big smile on my face and felt like the worst of it is behind me. I told my wife that the bears are now in serious trouble.
I've got some shoulder damage that I just haven't seen a specialist for yet. Too many years of 70+lbs and at one point 1000+ arrows a week. Turning the weight down is a good thing IMHO for everybody. I wish I would have done is years ago. Today's bows are so efficient you just don't need to be shooting 70lbs to kill deer. My current RPM360 is only drawing 59lbs but I'm still producing 80lbs+ of KE and I can actually shoot it a couple times a week without too much discomfort.
Yup I have had this happen to me. Usually it happens in the spring if I have gone a while without shooting.
I've been struggling with it for years. Everyone has some form of target panic but won't admit it. Which videos did you watch?
I have had it to where I can't put the pin on the circle I want. I get within inches of the target but then it seems like I can't move my bow any further. From drawing and letting down to forcing myself to keep the pin on the target for a couple of seconds has really helped. I still catch myself doing it from time to time though. Curious to what videos you watched as well.
I've been having some problems with this, but not getting the pin on the target. I kept holding it beneath the aim point slightly and ended up punching the trigger so I started doing the blank bailing and also drawing and holding the pin then letting down and it's definitely helping!
I had it last fall after buying a new rig and release. I was punching the trigger and it got worse the more I'd shoot. Ended up buying a better release that was adjustable for trigger pull weight and travel and fixed the problem.
Same solution here. Once I switched to the Hardcore release I slowly progressed away from any form of target panic.
Once. I fixed the problem by threatening my wife that she better not sneak up on me again when I am shooting and holler my name. She laughed. Seriously... I can not for the life of me shoot with a peep site. I have tried numerous times over the years and usually end up with target panic and wild groups. I use a nock set and put my pin under it and tight to the string. Works great for me but now the eyes aren't what they used to be. I now have to use reading glasses. It is getting tougher at last light with the nock set. Not sure what I will do if my eyes get worse. I know a peep site is out of the question. Tim
I have to continuously watch myself too. I shoot a hinge for everything including hunting. I occasionally command fire it as if I were in a hunting situation but, I don't mean to when I do usually. If I do it, I'll consciously slow myself down and it helps. Since I shoot for target testing at work a lot now it sometimes find myself loading, snatching the bow back and ripping off the shots just to put some arrows in a target. I've had to watch myself and stop shooting if I start having those tendencies. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Thanks guys. For those asking about the videos.....I watched several and they were all very similar in their approach. I believe one of the better ones was by All Archery Outdoors? There was a day that I would never have admitted to this crazy problem. But it's fun to know that most archers experience it at some point. The mind can do some really weird things! I think I am actually becoming a much better shot having gone through this horrible process. Good luck to those of you struggling also!
Yes I have. First time was in 2008 while hunting. The Biggest 8 pointer I have ever seen walked in. (140-150) It was so bad I forgot which eye to close. LOL! Shot right under him at 12 yards. I have since learned if I take a deep breath as I draw, pick a spot on the target, breath slowly and release I always shoot well. If I forget anyone one of these, my shot suffers.
Yes once and I won't even read this thread because I don't want to get it in my head again. Kilboars Hunt Club
