Do you still get the shakes when you see deer coming your way?

I have noticed the more close encounters I have with deer the less my nerves get tore out of frame. The last one was 10 feet from me and I didn't get the shakes at all. I was on the ground and in mid draw decided it was a bad shot and let down. She busted me and I watched her trot off. I feel like this is a good thing as I think it will help me when it is time to shoot. Is this a normal progression?

So do you still get them when you see one coming in from a distance?

 

I had two does come to me at 11yards last week and I could feel my face shaking I was so bad. I also for some reason couldn't pull my bow back like normal, it felt like a heavier draw. So yes, I'm still working in calming my nerves.

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I only get the shakes when I know I'm goig to take a shot if offered. My heart will skip a beat at first sighting, but if I know I'm not shooting I'm as calm as can be. I've tried reverse psychology but it doesn't work, I still know I'm going to shoot if offered.

I hunt mainly mornings, and will say that the coldest parts ofthe morning are right at sunrise and right after my first deer sighting. Not sure what it is but after I see my first deer, regardless of size I start shivering uncontrollably for a few minutes. Guessing the adrenaline and excitement for the rest of the hunt takes over?

 

Drawing my bow hasn't been a problem at all. Its still set at the summer practice weight also. I have drawn on 8 this year and only let 3 arrows fly. I let down for mutliple reasons at the begining of the season such as not old enough on 1 but never got a shot i was comfortable taking on the rest of them.

 

....yup

 

Yeah, I dont understand it. Some of my friends said its because of my adrenaline, but I thought that would make you have superhuman strength? haha! Either way, I had my bow at 70lbs, so I dialed it down a couple turns and sighted her in again. I feel confident again.

 

Been hunting 26 years and yes I still get the shakes

 

After over 30 years, I only get "the shakes" when I know I'm going to take a shot, otherwise no, I simply just enjoy their beauty.

When I know I'm going to take a shot, I get "pumped"... funny, the minute I put tension on the string I get calm, almost mechanical which I can only assume it's from the millions (over estimate) of practice shots, competition shots etc I've taken but once that arrow is loosed, I come unglued... and I hope I never lose that! ! !

 

I am an adrenalin junky to the extreme. For example, I stopped riding sport bikes due to after 4 wrecks the 130mph wheelies didn't get me shaking anymore and running my bike out to max speed (topped out at a little over 185mph) barely got me going anymore. Not during anyways and sometimes not even after. It would usually hit me after I slowed back down or set the bike down and I actually thought about what I had just done. It was the same with the twisties (mountain roads). I knew I would be dead if I didn't stop riding. I am wondering if its just the way I am wired or something.

 

When I see a deer that I want to shoot I get excited. For the most part, I can keep it under control with a doe.

However, if it is a shooter buck coming in on me I freaking lose it. I've tried it all, but nothing really can recreate that moment of truth when you are about to release an arrow on a mature animal. Sadly I have the memories of several great bucks that I could not close on when it came down to it....

 

Yes and hope I never lose it. I shake like a leave when I see a deer. I love that feeling and couldnt imagine not having it anymore.

 

Yep , thats what i bow hunt for a free and legal high and the rush of adrenalin.........i cant get enough of it .

 

Got to love the shakes and that predator feeling. Nothing like a deer to make you warm again. It is instant heat.

 

if i ever quit getting the shakes... i will put down my bow for good.

 

Yes.. depends on the deer, but lately it seems like I'm in the zone and under control/better focused on what I need to do when s shot is about to present itself. My first couple years bowhunting I'd have to say to my self "slow down, relax.." when they'd approach for a shot. Otherwise my adrenaline would sometimes cause a mistake on my part. I finally don't get that shaky feeling before the shot. After, yes. That is unless it's one of the giants that run our ridge, if so I get the shakes even if it is 60-70-100 yrds away.. That immediate adrenalin caused by wondering....will he close the distance, that is what gives me the super shakes. I need to work on that still.

 

I got the shakes like crazy the other day, and I only had a video camera in my hands! Good thing I was using a tree arm. I don't get them near as bad when I am shooting though, I seem to be more focused with a bow in my hand.

 

I get a bit of the shakes after the shot.

 

I usually don't get em till after the shot.
But when I do quit getting em,even after the shot,I'll quit hunting.

 

Yep, but I have conditioned myself to go into a different mode when I have decide it's time to draw the bow. It also depends on the quality of the animal. One of my buddies shakes so bad the hole tree shakes. Last time out he had to let down, gather himself and draw again muddling a few choice words throughout the process .... I can't say I have ever been like that.

 

Almost this for me. Except I don't get the shivers in the morning on just any deer, only ones that are shooters or close to.