For Bear(Buck) Fever/Target Panic......!
Incredibly, I missed a bear last week (approx. 300 lbs. at 6 yds.) 3 TIMES!!!!!!! :knothead: :banghead:
I understand that I failed to pick a spot on the first 2 shots (at around 9:30 am & 10:15 am), because I missed by just an inch or two over his back. In fact, on the 2nd shot I saw my string from my string-tracker drag through his fur. My left/right alignment was perfect, just the elevation was off. My heart was racing, my breathing got shallow & heavy and I felt my shot being rushed by trying to get him in between small shrubs. Now, I'm no Byron Ferguson, but I usually shoot fairly well. I've gotten to where I even have a competitive score when shooting "Fred Bear Scoring" (negative points for anything outside of the kill-zone) during 3D shoots. I know that it's different shooting at foam rather than flesh, but it shows that I'm at least capable of making good shots.
But my last shot (at around 6:30 pm) was pure Target Panic! All that I could think of was that I needed to redeem myself. And then I plucked the string so bad that the arrow flew WAY left of the bear and I buried the Land Shark into the tree that was beside the bear's head! THAT time he spooked pretty badly & he didn't come back the next day before it was time for me to go back home.
I might be able to go back on my days off this week & try again, but I'm wondering if I'm doomed to repeat this scenario or if I can overcome it... The bear archery season ends on the 20th this year & then the muzzleloader season starts the following Saturday.
I'm asking for y'alls advice/opinions. Is there a way to overcome the "heat of the moment," or should I hang it up again this year...?
Don't over-practice, but shoot a few arrows a few times at a nice close distance to build confidence, use your hunting rig, any accessories like string tracker you use, and get back out there and kill a bear. Watch it for a bit to relax
You'll only doomed yourself if you think you have. Sounds to me like you are thinking too much about the shot before it happens. Try to concentrate on where the arrow will go and not on the animal. From the time you first sight him, concentrate on that spot and let your brain, which you've been training all year for, do it's job. I don't think I know anyone that doesn't get the yips when crunch time get here. When I was a kid it took my 15 minutes after catching a fish before I could throw the line back out I was shaking so badly. That continued when I started hunting and only complete concentration would remedy it. Now, after the shot was a whole different thing. Thank goodness for safety harnesses. :bigsmyl:
Whenever I see an animal that I want to shoot, I chant softy to myself "pick a spot, pick a spot" over and over until the shot is imminent. Pretty simple but it seems to help me
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I appreciate the encouragement, and the reminder that I'm not the only one. I have to admit that I felt pretty pathetic after missing so many times. When he showed up the 3rd time, I kept saying (in my head), "You're just a target... Just a 3D target..." But when I drew the string back, my mind short-circuited and it was just, "NOW! SHOOT HIM NOW! HURRY!" :knothead:
Ive missed two bears the exact same way. Ive decided to end all this and Im dedicating myself to the joel turner system and Ive trying out different psychotriggers.
Quote from: Etter on October 13, 2019, 01:33:10 PM
Ive missed two bears the exact same way. Ive decided to end all this and Im dedicating myself to the joel turner system and Ive trying out different psychotriggers.
I'm really interested in your results! I've tried picking up what I could here & there, but would love to hear about how it goes for you.
If I dont dedicate myself to it now it is just going to be up and down forever. Two years straight I shot five arrows at animals and killed em all. This season I was more confident than ever and to blow two gimme shots on gorgeous bears means Ill never overcome this if I dont pick a system. Im starting with the handy clicker and going from there. Ill update
Joel Turner's system x2
X3 on Joel's shot IQ
Oh my, at 20 or 25 yards maybe but at 6 :banghead:
You need some serious black bag practice in low light, no aiming spot. :archer2:
Quote from: BAK on October 13, 2019, 03:20:14 PM
Oh my, at 20 or 25 yards maybe but at 6 :banghead:
You need some serious black bag practice in low light, no aiming spot. :archer2:
People who dont have target panic will never understand. Luckily, in 2019, there are people who get it and have the knowledge to teach others to overcome it.
Hey, Congrats......your a living human being!!!! Don't overthink it, ya got shook n paid the price. No biggie. Just go hunt have fun and approach your next opportunity with a clear head.
Good Luck brother
Jim Casto has developed the absolutely best program to deal with target panic I have ever used--including Joel Turner's. He's on here and offers it free to anyone who asks. Go over to the Shooters Form Board and scroll down to the thread Beat Target Panic (Maybe?) by Jim. Great program IF you stick with it and IF you do it as designed.
I sent him a pm. Very intrigued
You said" I know it's different shooting at foam than flesh". If you think about it the only real difference is that foam doesn't move. EVERYTHING else in the shot process is the same. You can't control an animals movement, but you can control your shot execution.
I've battled the TP bug at times myself, and I know how it feels. It's AWFUL. Makes you want to throw things.
But it can be fixed. Contrary to what many will tell you, it doesn't matter whether you shoot instinctive or gap, or however. What you do have to develop is a shot sequence, and it has to be one you can perform and repeat under pressure. If you're shooting high like you said you PROBABLY are not getting to anchor before you release.
Missing a 300 pound bear at 18 feet is not easy to do. I'm not making fun or anything like that. I've missed some slam dunk shots myself and can tell you that if your alignment is good it's hard to miss something that big that close. What happened is my form fell apart. You have to develop a shot sequence that you can lean on. And practice it until you can't do it any other way. Find someone you know and trust to help watch you shoot, or video it and post it here. But don't give up. You can fix it!
Another vote for Jim Casto's method.
All of these comments are extremely helpful! I know that I have some long term work to do, and I will DEFINITELY be checking out Mr. Casto's teachings. I also received a PM that I think will help me out quickly and without reinforcing (or creating) any bad habits. It comes via a Jimmy Blackmon video, and I definitely consider him a reputable source.
Most of all, I am thankful to have this community to turn to and receive the encouragement & assistance that I need. You're all awesome! Thank you, Tradgang!
Quote from: Todd Cook on October 13, 2019, 05:49:49 PM
It's AWFUL. Makes you want to throw things.
To be honest, I thought very seriously about jumping up and trying to stab the bear with my arrows. I figured that I would be able to take him in a fight, since I outweigh him by a bit... :bigsmyl:
At least you missed cleanly. I made two horrible shots last season and one so far this season. Last season I hung up my bow early. I'm almost there again this year. :banghead:
-Jeremy :coffee:
A sight pin would probably help. Not joking. One of the biggest changes I have seen during my lifetime of bowhunting. Mid 70s most recurves had sites on them and a ton of guys learned to hit.
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Are you looking up? Sometimes in anticipation there is a tendency to look up to watch the arrow strike, but unfortunately we look up before the arrow is actually on its way. Been there, done that, and have the T-shirt!
Buck fever is something you can somewhat prepare for. I said somewhat but here's a few ideas. For starters make sure you can shoot, you understand form and practice with ALL your gear on.
Now back to practicing. You need to practice with raised anxiety or under some stress.
You can easily start this by just making a tic tac toe board for instance. Take some electrical tape, put it on a 2-3 foot sheet of cardboard for the lines. . Play w your buddy n whoever wins team, country, dog, etc is better.
You'll want to beat him and must pick an unmarked spot n still shoot. Baby steps.
I'm not saying to do this but as kids we'd reach over w an arrow feather n tickle the shooters ear to throw him off. We'd also shoot 3D n Try breaking the first shooters nock. The first shooter aimed for the nose tip on the target. If you miss, oh well maybe you'd hit rocks. Try throwing leaves or hay in front of the shooter, see if that don't blow his game initially.
Point is find ways to bullet proof yourself . Strip archery would be a good one although if you don't have a gf shooting w you it's gonna be weird!
My buddy years back was a special forces guy. He went sleep deprived, hungry, than did a timed run after a week of this and had to lie prone in ice water n qualify. Talk about stress training.
Find ways to stress yourself and still make a shot. Here's another. Always practice harder than anything you'll ever encounter. Makes normal shots cake. Hope this gives you ideas
Quote from: Etter on October 13, 2019, 03:31:00 PM
Quote from: BAK on October 13, 2019, 03:20:14 PM
Oh my, at 20 or 25 yards maybe but at 6 :banghead:
You need some serious black bag practice in low light, no aiming spot. :archer2:
People who dont have target panic will never understand. Luckily, in 2019, there are people who get it and have the knowledge to teach others to overcome it.
To cure target panic you need to retrain your Brain to a dif response. Reprogramming takes time. String bow lots is the way to go.
Joel Turner's method x 4
I've heard guys talk bout Joel Turners system. Must he decent but I you tubed a segment he had. In a nutshell it seems he was attempting at reprogramming. So if you decide I hope it works. If for some reason it doesn't pm and I'll help you.
My method is not an in season technique as it takes time and NOTHING is going to work in season as you're trying to hunt/shoot.
Taking nothing away from the man as I haven't seen anything in full.
Jim Castro is another fellow that has a system not much different than mine in that he reprograms you. No matter what you use you MUST train your brain/reflexes differently. It takes time. Good luck and anyone needs help outside of a season n willing to work consistently pm me
Bear fever?
Try watching it for a bit and let your heart settle down some and relax before deciding to shoot.
For some reason, when we're close to critters we want to shoot, there is an extreme urge to rush the shot. Seems as if the subconscious is thinking shoot quick before it gets away. As a result, we tend to lose focus and just unload the arrow. It's happened to me.
Now my mantra is, "Take your time. If you get the shot, make it a good one. If you don't get the shot, so be it." This helps me keep the nerves under control and make a good shot. Not always, but most of the time.
Please understand, I wasn't trying to be mean. First off I don't believe target panic and buck fever are the same things. Similar maybe, but not the same.
The truth is I've know men who gun hunted all their lives who can not kill a deer. I have a close friend who wheel hunts, and is the same way. In one week he missed three antelope at 20 yards. Same guy can slap pop cans off the fence at 50 yards with his compound set up.
The first thing you have to do is control your heart rate, and you do that by slow deep breaths. You're just shooting another target, no big deal.
The name is Jim Casto, not Castro. Happens a lot it seems. :wavey:
Hang in there partner. Did the same thing last Friday on a chip shot doe at about 15 yards, right over her back. I thought, what the heck? I was looking at the whole deer and not a spot.
The next morning I put my focus cap on and center punched a doe at the exact same yardage.
Good luck buddy!
The cure is Joel Turner. Shot IQ.
Quote from: blacktailbob on October 14, 2019, 10:15:03 AM
Bear fever?
Try watching it for a bit and let your heart settle down some and relax before deciding to shoot.
I wish that this would help, but I watched him for at least 20 minutes before the first shot, and he milled around for about an hour before I got the 2nd shot.
There were a few threads a while back about target panic in the shooters form section.
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Quote from: Cory Mattson on October 13, 2019, 07:55:13 PM
A sight pin would probably help. Not joking. One of the biggest changes I have seen during my lifetime of bowhunting. Mid 70s most recurves had sites on them and a ton of guys learned to hit.
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That's essentially what my "quick fix" is. I added an aiming reference to my riser and I'm having instant success. I even shot too fast a couple of times, on purpose. Fantastic results. I have some pictures of arrows in bullseyes, but I can't get them to upload.
Sight pin might be a quick fix, but Joel Turner is the way to go to beat this.
Joel isn't trying to reprogram the subconscious. He's trying to get you to make conscious, firm decisions in the heat of battle. In a nutshell, you have to stop the subconscious from controlling the shot. You start to do this by deciding to make a perfect shot. To do that, you need to know what a perfect shot is, and the decisions/sub steps to get there.
Sorry to say it, but you have to work to beat whats ailing you. Just know that it can be beat. The cure is there for the taking, and Joel can help you set up for success.
Good luck with this! We all get bit by nerves once in a while, whether it be in the heat of the hunt or in competition. I've heard a lot of good things about Jim Casto's method.