This has hands down been the worst year ever. If it can happen, it has happened. I have shot over there back, between there legs, hit limbs, hit treestand with cam. I know its not the equipment, its the shooter, but I can drill the target all day and I practice regularly. I am 1 for 7 this year. Thats hard to admit but its true. Any tips for getting out of a slump. Maybe a good luck dance or something. lol......Sorry for the pity party, but dang this is rough. Never had luck like this.
Vectrix, maybe you are putting too much pressure on yourself. Sometimes when one does that they start getting tunnel vision when the shot opportunity arises. It is like they see/feel the excitement of the deer being down before the arrow even leaves the rest instead of focusing on getting the job done in the form of an arrow through the lungs. Just something to think about man. Enjoy the rest of your season and feel lucky that you have had 7 shots on deer with your bow. For many that is 2-3 seasons worth of shots.
Maybe you are right. virginiashadow. Too much pressure on my self. I graduated high school in your neck of the woods. I live in Bama now, but graduated in Woodbridge VA. I think that is close to manassas right? Only lived there a little while. Dad was military.
My father was military as well. My new job will have me working in Woodbridge beginning in mid-January. Yep, I only live about 15 minutes from Woodbridge.
Don't feel bad bud, I too am having a bad stretch and I believe I'm putting too much pressure on myself to "perform" each year. I've put high odds on myself, saying I won't take a buck any less than 120". This is very doable where I hunt, but as we all know, it doesn't always come together. So, I make myself miserable when I don't connect. I'm going on in the late season with two goals. One, relax and just enjoy being out there and two, take a deer. I still have a doe tag left so this shouldn't be too difficult and I hope helps my confidence moving into next year.
I am at 1 out of 3 and didn't recover her before the yotes did. It is my first all bow season. Now I have taken a rifle out a couple times but, didn't see anything then. I'm changing it up and trying blind hunting this weekend. Its in a high deer traffic area I have been wantong to hunt all season but didn't have a blind to hunt it. My brother bought one for us to use this weekend. I am also going to try taking some pressure off me and filming him rifle hunt a few times. If I don't get one with a bow maybe I can have fun getting him on film.
Only way to get out of a slump is to keep getting in the batters box and keep swinging I do agree with the relax and have fun when you start to press it takes the fun out of it.
I think frustration of it being late in the season and still not having put one down is getting the best of you...in the beginning of the season we're all patient and focused and as the season progresses if you've had some shooting issues be it ourself or your equipment it eats you up and we lose all patience...its a horrible cycle...envisioning that deer down is a good thing but don't get ahead of your self...the shot comes first, then the deer does down.(not trying to belittle or talk down to you) with that said I hope the rest of the season pans out better for you and that you can seal the deal!
You're not gonna want to hear this, but I think you should re-evaluate what you're doing in the woods. Missing 6 deer could have easily turned into wounding 6 deer. Are your shots too far? Perhaps set up where you have a shot 15 yards or less. Maybe go after small game or birds to practice shooting at live animals. Don't know what else to tell you since I don't personally know you.
i feel your pain, last season i missed 7 deer with my bow. I was putting too much pressure on myself to connect. I was rushing the shots and picturing the arrows passin thru em before i let it go and wasnt concentrating. My buddy finally told me, i had to tell the deer "deer im gonna kill you now" before i shoot just to slow me now. You gotta have to the confidence and let em know your about to put em down.
1 for 7 is not good. You got to figure out what's going on, whether it's controlling your nerves, taking shots you never should be taking in the first place, forcing the issue...whatever it is, you really need to figure out why you are 1 for 7. That does not fall into the "well things happen" category.
If it is an issue involving the "fever", you might want to try sprinting about 50 yrds between practice shots. This gets up your HR like if you see a deer. This is the closest thing I have found to prepare for the "fever". If it is a mental issue try picking a spot on the deer, not brown but a tuff of hair or shadow behind the shoulder. A trick is to paint a red spot on the bow to remind you to pick a spot and slow down. Good luck.
Are you picking a spot or shooting at the whole deer? Try to pick out a 'hair' on the deer and then shoot for that hair (aim small, miss small). Good luck the rest of the season.
You beat me to it! I was going to suggest the same thing! I had a bought with this when I was in my teens,,,loooong time ago
Hang in there brother, I feel your pain. It's my first year "serious" bowhunting. I've kept it in hand through both shotgun and muzzleloader season. I've only had 1 shot at a deer and hit a branch. other than that, I have barely even seen a deer. Actually been joking that I'm hunting unicorns. Last Sunday I got in my truck, started it, only to look up and see 5 does and buck. Just been that kind of season for me. They happen. Don't give up though. There's still plenty of days left in most seasons.
Thanks for all the advice fella's. I have thought about it, and I really just think im rushing things. I hadnt really got nervous too bad, and I do try to pick a spot, but I think Im rushing the shot too much. I have been shooting over there back most of the time, so maybe i am squeezing the shot off too soon as i lower the pin. And I have hit a couple of limbs on shots, which is just plain stupid on my part. I think I will just chill out and try to not pressure myself like ya'll said. The good thing is, being that i live in bama, the rut has yet to come. They should be chasing hard in about 2 weeks if we can get some cooler weather. Thanks for all of your opinions. I will post pics when I kill!!!!
Also, a couple guys asked how far my shots had been. They have all been within 30 yds so i dont think thats the problem. Its something in my head or my form causing this.....and rushing. This is my 8th year bowhunting and never had these problems before. Sucks.....I know that! Thanks again for all the advice.
What you just stated is a good start! Think about all the details that happened on each shot and try to correct the things you think went wrong! Rushing the shot is common in the learning process! If you have ever passed a chip shot on any deer or just watched one out of shot range, think back about how long the Deer might have just stood there in one spot, how many times the shot could have went down, and so on! If you dont get the shot its no big deal, just wait for another one! I have had to pass on Doe's many many times because there were to many eyes when trying to draw or bad shot angles! There is always others. Patience grass hopper
All thi sis great advice, but the one thing I would remind you is you can't get one sitting on the couch.
