Cures for the Shakes

[DanO]

I've only been bow hunting 3 years so bare with the question.

I get the worst "buck fever" (shakes) when it's time to take the shot. I'm sure everybody gets excited otherwise they wouldn't hunt. Any hints as to how to settle yourself down so you can aim properly? It seems the longer the deer messes around before a shot presents itself the worse it gets. I'm really concerned about poor shots that result in wounded deer because I can't hold the bow steady. Maybe it's an old guy thing???

I've missed cleanly twice yet I shoot daily so practise is not the issue. Confidence is becoming an issue as you can imagine. I'm wondering if I put enough preparation into my shooting lanes. I hate to disturb the bush too much and I'm pretty sure one miss was caused by a twig.

I don't see the numbers of deer some of you guys do in the U.S. so opportunities are limited and missing is really discouraging.

Dan O.

[VixChix]

Breathe. And.... breathe. And.... Breathe.

I find it helps to play the scene over and over in your mind before you go out - then it's more familiar when you aim in "real life". I also practice aim at imaginary deer when I'm on the stand as well as real deer that I've decided not to shoot.

[M&M]

dano I will asure you that you are not alone but the more you hunt the better it will get or I should say easier to manage what I do when I see a deer that I think I may get a shot at and my heart starts racing and it is pounding and I am sure the deer can hear my heart racing out of control is I mentally start talking to myself to calm down, and make myself get my breathing under control and it works for me and over time you will find a way that works for you, but I will tell you that when the day comes that I stop getting that rush of excitement during the hunt then it will be time for me to stop deer hunting I love the thrill of the hunt whether it is a big buck or a nice doe. M&M

[Fox]

Dad taught me to aim high, then pull down while breathing and pull when you get onto target, you stay steadier.

Easier said then done though, when the first big buck came out when I was 16, never got a shot (deer did not offer one) but I felt like I needed a vise to hold the thing on target.

Good luck, breath and have fun.

[VixChix]

A shooting stick can help a lot with that too - eliminates some of the variables.

[FredBear]

Oxygen is your best friend in this situation. Deep breathing helps you stay calm, or helps you calm down. Also you need to just focus on the shot not the size of the deer. Once you make that shot you really get tore up with emotions! That's why we do this though. The best fix is more harvests. The more you shot deer. The more you learn to harness your emotions! Good Luck and stay positive once you lose your confidence you have a whole new problem.

[flbuckmaster]

I "get mad at the deer" I will cuss under my breath and blame them for all the trouble they have put me through. works for me

jay

[raydaughety]

All above is great advice. I know that it's a little too late this year but try and spend some time in the woods in the off season. If you have access to a field in the summer months that deer are feeding in, try and spend some time in their element, just watching them. I alway talk to myself, "calm down, breath deep, it's just a deer, you've got a job to do now concentrate on getting the shot and then you can freak out all you want" . Works for me.

[Grizzly Adam]

Everyone has gotten nervous before, DanO.

The best thing you can do is keep on keeping on. Once you get some kills under your belt, that nervousness will abate. That doesn't mean your hunting won't be exciting, but you shouldn't be freaking out at shot opportunities after you've been doing it for a while. Of course, we're all wired up differently, but I think actual field experience with shots and kills goes a long way toward curing so-called "buck-fever".

VixChix has a good point. If you're shooting a crossbow, get the most solid rest available to you ... stick, shooting rail, stump, tree ... smart marksmen use a rest when they can.

Also, remember that the killing of a deer isn't as big a deal as we often make of it. Relax. You've got it in you to become a cool and capable hunter. Take it easy, get lots of experience, and let efficiency come. It will.

[Pydpiper]

If that feeling ever goes away I am going to take up skydiving.

[Limbs and Sticks]

Hello I don't know how old or long you've been hunting, when you lose this excitement move on to something else


Wes

[wabi]

I used to go out well before season and set in a stand with an "unloaded" crossbow (you might want to check legality). When deer came close I would practice getting the bow into shooting position, picking the shot, and mentally make the shot. It helped me in learning how and when to move, where to aim, and which shots to avoid. By the time season opened I felt "normal" viewing deer through the sights and actually shooting one was much less stressful. (But when you put an arrow through one the excitement really kicks in.)
I still make it a habit of actually picking up the crossbow and getting into position to shoot on the majority of the deer I see from the blind or stand, even when I know I'm not going to shoot. I think of it as "counting coup" on them. I know I could have killed the deer, but chose not to. I helps calm the nervous reactions when I decide to actually shoot one.

[mikej]

great advise above i keep my breathing as normal as possible and i i also like vix said pull my bow up on a deer i have no intention of shooting( safety on of course) this help with 2 things being steady with no shakes and it helps practice getting your bow up and ready quitely and smoothly with out being busted

[Galgo]

I think the most important thing for me is controlling breathing force your self to breath in for a four count, breath out for an eight count. practice this it aint easy. you have to focus and it will help you focus on the shot. Hope this helps.

[saxman]

No cure!!!!!! At least I hope not