Ive been shooting longbow and compound for about 8 years now. The last two years I have been suffering from some major target panic while shooting my compound bow. At times I have been almost ready to quit, but that in reality is not an option. Anyone go through this mental debilitating phase. Ive tried a bunch of new techniques and it will go away for a bit and then I'll go through a phase and wam, I'll pull on my shot. It seems worse when I am shooting a 3d target. I've heard that the thumb releases help a little with this. Any thoughts? Thanks.
Target Panic
- Thread starter hunttrap
- Start date
First step is admitting you have a problem! lol What release do you use? I had some serious problems with it also. I started using the carter honey 2 release. It is pricey, but it works very well. I would have anxiety when my pin got close to my aiming point and then would punch the trigger. Please describe your problem specifically if you can and I can help you.
I use a scotts release. The little goose I think is what its called. It happens right before I release the arrow. I start at the bottom of the target, bringing my sight to my aiming point by moving my torso so my anchor points are not altered. Right before I release the arrow, I flinch. Or sometimes I release way to early and hit low. I know it is all mental, but frustrating. I use to be able to shoot consistently out to 75 yards with tight groups. Now I'm lucky if I have the same group size out at 30 yards. I got a new bow last year thinking that would help. It did help a bit, but it still happens sometimes.
Hilltop
Veteran member
Before buying any new equipment try a short tip that helped me. Hold your pin on target while counting to 10 before releasing. Do this for a day of practice. If it helps, then reduce to 9 the next day. Continue lowering days until you find the number where you lose focus. Mine is 3-4 so I count to 5 on my shots. Takes an extra couple seconds to execute shots but my accuracy improved without changing any equipment.
Work2hunt
Veteran member
General consensus is you need to go to a back tension style release. The surprise that occurs when you shoot will help eliminate this issue.
However, some have found going back to basics to be helpful. Take the sight off the bow and go shoot at a large bale style target. Don't worry about where you hit but just shoot and get that good feeling of what a good shot feels like. Work your form and shooting process. Once you shoot a bunch of arrows...could be hundreds then go back to your sight and see how it feels.
However, some have found going back to basics to be helpful. Take the sight off the bow and go shoot at a large bale style target. Don't worry about where you hit but just shoot and get that good feeling of what a good shot feels like. Work your form and shooting process. Once you shoot a bunch of arrows...could be hundreds then go back to your sight and see how it feels.
badgerbob
Active Member
Try pushing with your bow hand. By that I mean putting pressure toward the target with the bow. I found I was just holding the bow and pulling with the release. Someone recommended that I push the bow toward the target and my shooting improved. I think it makes it easier to hold the sight pin on target until the arrow has left the rest. Moving the pin off target before the arrow is clear is the real problem.
As Hilltop stated. There are techniques to help fix the problem before changing your release. The problem could come back but you can try this. Set up a target with a few spots on it, 3 or 4. Stand 10 or 15 yards away and draw your bow as usual. Aim at the first circle, hold for 5 seconds, then move to the next one, hold 5 seconds, ect. Then let down. Do not pull that trigger no matter how much you want to. Do this for a month if you have to until you forget how shooting your bow feels. This might help, or it might just postpone your problem.
Next step is the release. People group all releases that do not use triggers as "back tension" releases. But actually there are only a few releases that are legitimate back tension releases. The vast majority require rotation to shoot that can be initiated by shoulder rotation, and are more of a "hinge-style" release. (This is where the back tension comes in). You do not have to us this shoulder rotation to shoot, but this is a good method to shoot those style of releases. Another way is to hold your release if it is a 3 or 4 finger release and slowly relax your first 1 or 2 fingers, causing rotation. I do not use this technique, but it is a very accurate way to shoot. I rotate at the shoulder and some with my wrist.
Additionally, people get scared of back tension and hinge style releases especially for hunting. They are not scary and they work very well. Get a short string and tie a string loop to it and have the other end loop around your thumb. Make the string about the same length as your draw length and practice. Practice until you can consistently initialize your release sequence and then release the string roughly 3-4 seconds after you begin rotation or back tension, however you do it.
Next step is the release. People group all releases that do not use triggers as "back tension" releases. But actually there are only a few releases that are legitimate back tension releases. The vast majority require rotation to shoot that can be initiated by shoulder rotation, and are more of a "hinge-style" release. (This is where the back tension comes in). You do not have to us this shoulder rotation to shoot, but this is a good method to shoot those style of releases. Another way is to hold your release if it is a 3 or 4 finger release and slowly relax your first 1 or 2 fingers, causing rotation. I do not use this technique, but it is a very accurate way to shoot. I rotate at the shoulder and some with my wrist.
Additionally, people get scared of back tension and hinge style releases especially for hunting. They are not scary and they work very well. Get a short string and tie a string loop to it and have the other end loop around your thumb. Make the string about the same length as your draw length and practice. Practice until you can consistently initialize your release sequence and then release the string roughly 3-4 seconds after you begin rotation or back tension, however you do it.
mgorm16640
Member
I had the same problem develop. I had been shooting for years and years with no trouble and suddenly after getting a new set up, couldn't hit anything. Shooting stopped being fun. I found the new bow short ATA was floating much more than old set up, which I feel helped develop my issues. If you tape a laser pointer to stabilizer a friend with a camera can tape your actual float and it is easier to move in the right direction tuning wise. I also had bought a new release and didn't notice how light the trigger was until a friend video taped my self shooting. That really helped me see a lot of errors that had developed unconsciously. Especially me hammering that light trigger on the new release. Setting trigger to heaviest setting and then a lot of eyes closed 3 yard shoot to learn new set up without having to worry about hitting anything really helped. I have found that I shoot better with a release when you can rest your finger on the trigger without fear of it going off.
To video your form, all you need is a smart phone and a friend. I think that was the key to getting myself back on track and enjoying shooting again.
To video your form, all you need is a smart phone and a friend. I think that was the key to getting myself back on track and enjoying shooting again.
troybackman
Active Member
Same thing happened to me about a yr ago. I was about ready to quit bowhunting. So frustrating. What I have found helpful is to lower pin onto target versus bring it up. Thanks for all the other suggestions men.
pepper01
New Member
I like many others have had target panic. Your eyes are telling your brain that you can't hold the pin steady so quick punch -it. Try shooting at a large target bale with your eyes closed at about 5 to 10 feet. First get on target close your eyes and relax and pull through the trigger not slap it. I switched to a back tension for 3D as well. Found it made me a much better archer too. Try the eyes closed shooting about 10 to 15 reps per day for about 2 weeks then shoot at a blank bale skip the dots just work on your form. Good luck hope this helps.
Thanks for all the tips. I will definitely be busy this off season correcting this problem. First thing I might do is set a close up target in my basement and start to retrain my mind. I really like the video taping my shot to see what I look like during the shooting process. Its amazing how much archery is a mental game. Have any of you noticed if draw weight has anything to do with it. My bow is a hoyt charger set up at 60 pounds. I easily can come to full draw slow and very manageable. Do you think dropping down draw weight would help?
troybackman
Active Member
Keep us posted. I just ordered a big bag target for the basement for some 5 yd shooting. It's nice to know I'm not alone in this one. It's so weird how it can just happen after shooting for years.
I spent a year focusing only on long bow and practiced my compound very little. This is when it happened to me. It is the strangest thing. Thanks for all the help
troybackman
Active Member
How's it going hunttrap? Have you been working on that TP? After about 1000 arrows I believe I've fixed mine. It's so much more fun to actually hold where you want and release. Been shooting out to 80 yds again like the good ol days
. Another thing that really helped me was adjusting my trigger so it was back in the meat of my finger instead of the tip and keeping pressure on it before the shot.
. Another thing that really helped me was adjusting my trigger so it was back in the meat of my finger instead of the tip and keeping pressure on it before the shot.
Get Bernies book and follow the regime to the "T" and you'll beat it! If you cheat it won't help you. You can always use coaches like Larry Wise & Terry Wunderlee.
http://www.amazon.com/Idiot-Proof-Archery-Shoot-Pro-Step/dp/0971281203
Good luck, because it takes a lot of time to overcome it! Trust me I've been there!
http://www.amazon.com/Idiot-Proof-Archery-Shoot-Pro-Step/dp/0971281203
Good luck, because it takes a lot of time to overcome it! Trust me I've been there!
Unfortunately I have not had time to start kicking the habit. I have been putting up fur in my fur shed about every night after getting home from teaching. I plan to start here this next week. I have a few more nights in the fur shed and then I should be done for a while. Thanks for all the help guys, I really appreciate it!!!