The day the adrenalin rush stops is the day my bow gets hung up for retirement permanently! I think like others have said that there's only one way to get it under control, and that is experience. The more times you have close encounter with a deer that you plan on shooting--- the easier you will find it gets... You want to get better at handling your rush??? Then plan on shooting every doe you get a chance at! The experience of shooting doe’s will help you the day a big one walks into your shooting lane! You can’t and won’t hurt the herd by taking a doe. Draw on everyone of them that you can even if you decide not to touch the trigger— If I had one thing that I would say might help new bowhunters to become better bowhunters--- It would be to treat every deer as one you plan on shooting... IT'S never easy!!
i use checklist 1. look at deer 2. grab bow 3.wait for deer to get into range 4. put release on d loop 5.draw back 6. look through peep at sight 7. look through sight at deer 8. take deep breath 9. release 10. watch deer die. warning!!! does not help with shakes but helps you remember what to do when they walk by.
Good post flopdrop.. I agree, occupy your mind.. Dont get stuck in the "Oh My Goodness, Oh My Goodness"..... That makes things worse.. Run thru your check list.. We all have them.. Slow pull, anchor, soft hands on the bow riser, slight pressure on trigger and keep pin on shoulder, slight pressure on trigger and keep pin on shoulder, FOLLOW THRU.... Your mind will be occupied with decipline, not get out of control and hinder your form and execution... Good luck !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lay Em Down !!!!!!!!!! Let us know if this helped, and don't forget to pass what works for you onto other new hunters.. They will appreciate the tips and learn from them just as much as you are !!!
If you can be near deer a (forrest preserve for example) go out and visit as regularly as possible. Walk up and see how close you can get to the critters. In a lot of places the forrest preserve deer are semi-tame due to people feeding them all the time. If you're around deer alot, you won't crap your pants when one walks up from behind you.
I still have it bad and Ive been hunting for 10 years. Ive got better at curbing it and waiting until it drops before I get excited. You will never get rid of buck fever.
i know the feeling Today i was in the woods and had a doe come in 15yds and stood and looked at me and i was at full draw and she would not turn but one move and she and the herd took off, i was so overwhelmed with fever that i couldn't steady anything, I missed a shot to shoot that doe cause of her not turning and the fever got the best of me. It seems a lot harder and so much more Fever, i am still trying to put one down with my bow i just started this year. Got a 8pt buck last year with my Gun so i know what your say-en and going through.
I agree on two basic things: Focus on making a good shot and experience is key...if you have the option shoot a doe or two early and get a feel for nerves and the feel of a good shot then your confidence will only get better!! Most importantly enjoy it thats why we all love it soooo much! Its suppose to be a rush. Good luck
I agree with the other guys, don't look at the antlers, look away or close your eyes for a quick second and Take a Deep Breath! When I killed my first deer, I swear my heart was beating so hard that the deer could hear it. LOL! I have hunted for over 30 years, mostly with a gun until 10 years ago. Now I strictly bow hunt. I thought I got excited when a deer walked out at 100-200 yards! Having one show up at less than 50 yards and walking in is THE ULTIMATE. Just remember BE PATIENT. If he has no clue you are there, you are way ahead of him. Keep your movement to a minimum and take a deep breath. Like the guys said, with experience, you will get better and better at it. Good Hunting!
Once you decide that you want to take the deer, you just have to put the tought of it being on the ground out of your head. I concentrate on my shot. I try to keep my target as small as possible, kind of like tunnel vision, and just think about your anchor points and grip. If you can't get focused, look away shut your eyes take a deep breath and line up again. Don't know if this will work for everyone, but it sure works for me.
Agreed had a doe go under me 2 days ago and I didn't even realize I was shaking till she was out in the field behind me. The day that feeling is done so am I. Good advice from all
It's kind of funny that when I'm watching deer in bow range that I don't plan on shooting, I'm plenty calm; but when I decide that I'm going to shoot a deer, I have to think about staying calm. I do pretty well until the bow goes off and I see the hit. Then it's like a shot of adrenaline courses through my veins and the shakes start...:D I love that feeling!!! One thing that has helped me is to draw on deer that I don't plan on shooting, just to get the experience. I don't actually aim at the deer because I don't want my bow to accidentally go off if I'm not planning on shooting, but I draw and go through the motions aiming a few yards one side or the other of the deer. Many folks will say "I could have shot a little buck (or doe) but I let him walk". Unless the bow is drawn you never know if you could have gotten the shot off or not. Doing this gave me experience and helped calm my nerves before I ever shot my first deer.
Ya, this is my fourth year hunting and buck fever got me early. The first year I only saw a couple bucks but when I did I couldn't stop shaking. As I got to see more bucks it slowly went away. The one thing that I have learned is the more you stare at the deer the more you are going to get buck fever. The best way is to look at it and make a choice to shoot or not then just look at where you want to place the shot not at his antlers. Another thing I learned when I shot my first buck I only got a quick glance at him and knew that I was going to take a shot. Then got ready and waited for the shot and nailed him, only ran 50 yds and fell. Good Luck!
