Target Panic

HuskyMusky

Veteran member
Nov 29, 2011
1,337
183
IL
My checklist goes like this;

Is this animal a shooter or not? If yes, then I focus on the spot I plan to shoot, and I stop worrying about size of antlers etc...

In my eyes it's mental control not to get excited about the possibly outcome, focus, on the kill, then celebrate, not the other way around!

It's similar to catch the ball before you run.... or field the ball before you throw it...


Honestly with a bow I feel there's a lot you have to get done to make a successful shot, with experience I assume that becomes routine.
The animal's range, which can always be changing... so which pin etc... drawing without being seen, lining up the target with the right pin/right range, getting steady, picking that exact spot you want to shoot.

Good luck!
 

NDHunter

Veteran member
Feb 25, 2011
1,166
25
North Dakota
Just got my latest issue of Bowhunter today and Randy Ulmer has an article on overcoming target panic. If you don't get the magazine, you should get ahold of a copy.
 

grant_stricklin

Active Member
Sep 11, 2015
167
0
I've struggled with TP my whole life! I'll tell you what I do every year and over come it the fastest way.

Start out close to target 10 yards backing away five yards at a time or less.
Every time I draw my bow I keep my finger behind the trigger.
Bring the sight from above down on target "very small dot" bottle tops favorite.
Then I count to 3 before I ever bring my finger over the trigger.
Don't use the tip of your finger lay 2/3 your finger barely on it the second notch on finger I call it.
I look thru both eyes and never take eye off target.
Then I just flex my back muscles or slowly relax your hand all in one motion kinda.
Don't drop your bow arm just follow thru.
You'll surprise shoot more times than you ever have guarantee it.

Once you get that down pat if you'll put your bow somewhere easily available where when yiu walk by you can shoot just one arrow and go on. I like 50 yard target and leave bow hanging all the time. Just grab and shoot one arrow when I walk by. That helps consistentcy

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badgerbob

Active Member
May 18, 2015
396
72
Eastern Oregon
I've struggled with TP my whole life! I'll tell you what I do every year and over come it the fastest way.

Start out close to target 10 yards backing away five yards at a time or less.
Every time I draw my bow I keep my finger behind the trigger.
Bring the sight from above down on target "very small dot" bottle tops favorite.
Then I count to 3 before I ever bring my finger over the trigger.
Don't use the tip of your finger lay 2/3 your finger barely on it the second notch on finger I call it.
I look thru both eyes and never take eye off target.
Then I just flex my back muscles or slowly relax your hand all in one motion kinda.
Don't drop your bow arm just follow thru.
You'll surprise shoot more times than you ever have guarantee it.

Once you get that down pat if you'll put your bow somewhere easily available where when yiu walk by you can shoot just one arrow and go on. I like 50 yard target and leave bow hanging all the time. Just grab and shoot one arrow when I walk by. That helps consistentcy

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk
I agree with the one shot and leave trick. I use a version of it. I number my arrows then shoot one arrow two times. I record all of my shots with each arrow. That way if I have an arrow problem it will show up. I will only adjust my sight on the info I gather on these shots. I do shoot long sessions to keep muscles in tone and general overall improvement, but I only rely on my two shot and move on sessions to make any adjustments. It really doesn't matter to me how many arrows I can stick in a whiskey glass, I want to put the first two in it.
 

grant_stricklin

Active Member
Sep 11, 2015
167
0
I agree with the one shot and leave trick. I use a version of it. I number my arrows then shoot one arrow two times. I record all of my shots with each arrow. That way if I have an arrow problem it will show up. I will only adjust my sight on the info I gather on these shots. I do shoot long sessions to keep muscles in tone and general overall improvement, but I only rely on my two shot and move on sessions to make any adjustments. It really doesn't matter to me how many arrows I can stick in a whiskey glass, I want to put the first two in it.
Exactly! I do the same but have certain arrows set aside for the situation.

I can recommend this to any archery shooter out there. There's a archery shop in Florida called
South shore archery supply.
Owners name is jerry.
He makes the best arrows on the planet!! I'm from TN and order all my arrows from him!

My xbow shoots 420fps and at 100 yards will shoot 1& half inch groups!
The guy is a perfectionist and weight matches and balances all arrows!
Should check him out for any arrows you may need.

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grant_stricklin

Active Member
Sep 11, 2015
167
0
Not sure if anyone agrees but I feel you need to keep your finger off your trigger until you are making your shot, target or animal!
Yes of course but I'm talking about the spot not the target. When your on the spot count to three then ease finger over top of trigger.

Pick a spot. Aim small miss small.

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hunttrap

Active Member
Jan 22, 2016
219
85
Eastern Nebraska
Update: I am getting better but still struggle. Been shooting pretty religiously but still keep pulling a few arrows. It will take nothing but time lol. Ive been trying to come down on the target and that does seem to help me a bit.
 

WapitiBob

Veteran member
Mar 1, 2011
1,385
58
Bend, Orygun
You will eventually stop above the target "until you're ready". Continue your short game, the purpose is to teach your brain that moving in the spot is OK. Another sequence is to aim-let down several times then shoot. The key is to aim at a dot big enough that you can hold in it most of the time. A paper plate at 20 for example.

George Ryals talks about it here:

http://www.archerylearningcenter.com/blog/

release execution:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNslq2UEiWM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lwxnbrGAvw
 

Never in Doubt

Active Member
Jul 9, 2012
304
0
I was archery hunting in CA this past year, had a buck tag and a bear tag. It was very open country and I was sitting in a clump of trees when I saw a big black bear come over a ridge. He slowly meandered down a gully and I hurried down to get into range. My heart was absolutely pounding and I was literally shaking from excitement. I've never experienced it like this before. Maybe it was stalking a bear with just my bow and no gun as CA doesn't allow that. Either way I got within 70 yards but never took a shot. I knew I wouldn't make a good shot, I wasn't calm enough. So I let him walk. It really sucked. It was a tough lesson to me how I need to practice more and do more cardio before the season starts. I've never had 'deer fever' before, it was crazy lol