I've shot at several deer with my bow, but I miss a lot more often than I connect. Is there anything I can do to calm down and m

[outdoorlife-editor]

I've shot at several deer with my bow, but I miss a lot more often than I connect. Is there anything I can do to calm down and make the shot?

[outdoorlife-editor]

You're experiencing what every hunter has experienced at one time or another-buck fever. It is actually your nervous system pumping large amounts of adrenaline into your bloodstream, preparing you to perform. While it's perfectly natural, it's also a bit overwhelming. However, there is a way to minimize its effects.

Most beginner bowhunters miss deer because they are unfamiliar with their equipment. When the adrenal rush hits, they make rudimentary mistakes like choosing the wrong aiming pin. Prior to the season, practice so often that making a shot is automatic. If you find yourself thinking about any aspect of the shot sequence, you haven't practiced enough.
-Todd Kuhn, Bowhunting Expert

[Aaron1991]

Experience and practice will help you more than anything it just takes time to settle down, after you kill several deer you dont get excited anymore you just think "well if i kill it i gotta skin it"

[mdhager115]

Pretend your just practicing in your backyard. Look at the deer as a target, not a living creature. Also, if its a buck, dont look at its rack until its on the ground.

[Bigbuckdonw1]

I look to see if the deer is a shooter, if it is I watch the deer until it is in range, aim my bow at the front hoove slowly rise it up and when it hits the vitals I release. Practice and experience will help.

[Elkaholic]

Go to archery shoots, it might cost a few dollars to enter yourself in the tournement but it will help you deal while shooting under pressure. When I first started to bow hunt, I shot at my first buck small buck, I did not want to get dissapointed by missing a big buck. Needless to say I did not get any buck that first year. But I went to some shoots and kept practicing with decoys as much as I could, even at lunch I would come home from school and shoot. Before bed you name it. Practice with all your clothes calls everything you have on when you hunt shoot with on when your practicing other than broad heads. Just get the same grain field tip as your broadhead is. Or if you want you can get a Broadhead safe target.

[colbybabcock]

I amonly 12 and got my frist deer with a rifle I calmeddownby repeating I won't miss till the shot.

[PigHunter]

I look to see if the deer is a shooter, if it is I watch the deer until it is in range, aim my bow at the front hoove slowly rise it up and when it hits the vitals I release. Practice and experience will help.

Great technique! Thanks for posting.

[PigHunter]

You're experiencing what every hunter has experienced at one time or another-buck fever. It is actually your nervous system pumping large amounts of adrenaline into your bloodstream, preparing you to perform. While it's perfectly natural, it's also a bit overwhelming. However, there is a way to minimize its effects.

Most beginner bowhunters miss deer because they are unfamiliar with their equipment. When the adrenal rush hits, they make rudimentary mistakes like choosing the wrong aiming pin. Prior to the season, practice so often that making a shot is automatic. If you find yourself thinking about any aspect of the shot sequence, you haven't practiced enough.
-Todd Kuhn, Bowhunting Expert

Great answer, thanks!

[PigHunter]

I amonly 12 and got my frist deer with a rifle I calmeddownby repeating I won't miss till the shot.

Now, that's one way to do it. Thanks for posting.

[Buckshott00]

Practice, Practice, Practice. Visualize your prey animal in your mind when you shoot. Imagine you're in your blind or on the stalk and you see your animal. Practice making "the move" picture this again and again until you can "see" and you're accustomed to it.

The practice and visualization are key, maybe go to a lifesize decoy target. It's good to still get excited when you see a deer, that's part of the sport, but having control over your body thru the excitement is key. Practice, visualization, desensitization, these will help you thru this. Good Luck!