I'd like to hear from you guys that have been killing critters for years with the stickbows. And hopefully it will help some of us 'beginners'... Back when I was shooting regularly, I was a pretty good shot. Not world class by any means but I could hold my own with most guys.. I have run the guantlet in aiming techniques from instrinctive, to GAP, to point of aim, to string walking, you name it and I have spent a lot of time trying it. However, one thing I never could do is keep my focus during the moment of truth, when I'm drawn back on a deer. It seems my mind would go blank. Of the 3 deer I killed, I only picked a spot on one of them. The others it was just totally uncontrolled shooting. I'm not sure if its the adrenalin flowing or what, but when I would get that string back, it was almost like I couldn't wait to let it go. I was rushed. I got lucky a few times and killed deer and hogs, but the majority of my shots were misses, usually high. I figured after shooting a few I would calm down, but I never did. I would experience TOTAL loss of concentration. And if you aren't concentrating with these bows you aren't even in the game! Thoughts, tips, ideas?
I do both gap and instinctive. I have got to the point it is without thought. If I have a still target and time, ill gap shoot. If the target is moving, like a rabbit, bird, fish, Ill instinctive. The best advice I can give is; Regardless of how you shoot, always pick a spot on the deer. Tuft of hair, crease in a muscle, etc. etc.
Burnie, I know I should pick a spot, it just wasn't happening! I would just zone shoot. Even though I know I HAVE TO PICK A SPOT. I don't know, it sucks though. I have no problem doing it on the target range, but when that heart started pounding and I knew I was about to shoot, I would lose my concentration.
It seems like such and easy thing to do, but tends to be the hardest. Once you get it down, it becomes second nature. It cured a lot of my problems.
I have pretty poor eyesight as well and I think that contributes to my not being able to pick a spot. I'm definitely not picking out hairs! Unless he is 10 yds, lol.. I agree, picking a spot is a lot harder to do than it sounds, especially shooting a live game.
DC, For the 1st time ever In 13 years of hunting with my recurve I believe that I didn't pick a spot when I shot my deer last December. I'm pretty sure I picked an area but I didn't pick a spot. I still hit the deer with In 3" of where I wanted to but after I thought about It a week or so later I don't think I picked my spot. I remember looking behind the shoulder and that's It, damn that's a no no and It really bothered me after thinking about It and It still does now. I think the reason It happened was my concentration wasn't 100% focused on what I was doing. The stand I was In wasn't very solid so I was worried about It tilting and making noise. The more concentrated you are on that shot, the better. Easier said then done though, my brother has Issues with this also. It's not something a person can teach to anyone, It's something you yourself has got to figure out. When you do It once and It's the way you want It, you'll know It right away and the feeling will be awesome! Good luck with It, you'll get It.
This just kind of sounds like more an issue of dealing with your excitement than anything else. For me whether its been a compound or trad bow, the focus was there, just not always the accuracy. Last spring I missed a gobbler and had my only bout of "fever" when shooting at game. I blanked out, drew & fired as fast as humanly possible.
Man I've been bowhunting for almost 20 years, I'm not supposed to be getting the "Fever"! :d I agree, its definitely all mental, but I notice a lot of guys that start out have a terrible time making it happen on game. You will hear about many more misses than you will kills. I think it all comes back to this fever and not picking a dang spot!
