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Buck Fever, BAD.

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TheMadCatter

TheMadCatter

Well-Known Member
So, I got tired of sitting in the stand at about 6:15pm (sat since 2 right after church). Shot a antler eater at about 3:30. Didn't see anything, so I desided to walk around. Oh, look two Bucks going at it. I walk within 100 yards sit down, sneak through the brush 20yards and holy chit a 20ft drop off. Well, I walk around it then head down and jump across the creek and climb up the side of the creek. I get up, they're gone? I sit for about 5mins and then grunt a lil' rattle somewhat here come these 3 Does charging for me. One comes within 10 yards and runs to 30 (not knowing I'm there) they play for about 10mins then I grunt a lil' more and then this Doe looks at me and comes to 10 yards. I hear something in the brush 40 yards out and here comes this HUGE Buck acting all bad and tough. Walks 30, 25, 20...stops broadside. I shoot my first lame attempt at him...miss to low. May I remind you I'm shaking like a junkie that hasn't had anything in a few days. I shot again while he just stands there, miss to high. Already 3rd times the charm, miss...here comes two more little Bucks compaired to this Buck. Well, last arrow...maybe he'll come closer (I hear a noise behind me) a Doe snorts 5 feet away from me busting me for good...so I thought. I then shoot my last arrow, miss to the right of the Buck. Wow, no arrows now what? Sit back and watch? No, let's go get my arrow. Walk into the open (the Bucks still standing there) I get 10ft away and it just looks at me like "Where do you think you're going?!" then I back up and sit 10 yards away and rattle because I was affraid he might charge me, he runs off with the other Deer. Well, Buck fever hit me...it sucked. Should have clubbed the stupid thing...
 
Buckfever happens to all of us... however, I think you may need to learn to be a little more patient and possibly practice more. Let the right opportunity present itself, calm your nerves, RELAX, sqeeeeeeze the realease and let it surprise you when the bow shoots.
 
I know it sounds stupid, but with baseball and conditioning while I was still playing last year I would go on my nightly runs and get my heart rate way up and make myself tired...when I would get back to my house, I would grab my bow immediately and go out and shoot 30-50 arrows. towards the end I was no longer shaking or heart racing, but that was the only way I felt like I could "simulate" buck fever. I had another buddy that would shoot 3 arrows, lay his bow down, sprint to the target get arrows and sprint back. Essentually it would simulate the same thing I did. I know sounds stupid or rediculous, but it tought me my breathing and other tactics to get myself to concentrate and slow down.
 
I had my issues with shooting figured out before I started bowhunting, but I went through a period of 4 or 5 years where I missed a LOT of deer during muzzy season. I remember you mentioning missing one or two shots during youth season this year as well. It finally clicked with me at one point that I was not taking my time on my shots. I was doing a classic settle the pin and jerk the trigger. Once I figured that out and made a concious effort to make my gun surprise me EVERYTIME I shoot it has made a world of difference for me. Now I know I'm talking gun here and you are dealing with bow, but the same method is equal for both. First things first, practice practice practice. Then, make sure you take your practicing skills and shooting routine with you to the field and put that same routine into play when its a live target rather than a piece of paper. And although it would be extremely tough to do, if you are just WAY too excited and shaky to properly shoot at a deer, then you're better off not shooting at all. You will be more upset if you wound one and don't find it than you will be if you just let it walk.
 
bearcatbaseball10 said:
I know it sounds stupid, but with baseball and conditioning while I was still playing last year I would go on my nightly runs and get my heart rate way up and make myself tired...when I would get back to my house, I would grab my bow immediately and go out and shoot 30-50 arrows. towards the end I was no longer shaking or heart racing, but that was the only way I felt like I could "simulate" buck fever. I had another buddy that would shoot 3 arrows, lay his bow down, sprint to the target get arrows and sprint back. Essentually it would simulate the same thing I did. I know sounds stupid or rediculous, but it tought me my breathing and other tactics to get myself to concentrate and slow down.
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I'm a Cross Country runner and Swimmer so this doesn't sound all that stupid. It might work, I think I'll try it.

Once my ankle gets better...
 
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I'm trying to picture this series of events in my head and all I can see is the Big Buck Hunter video game.
 
hotshott2289 said:
just a tid bit of advice.. stay in your stand and don't wander around.. ultimately will help you in the long run
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I had sat in that stand the two days before and nothing walked by. Those Deer went to the same place each day. Saw them right after shooting hours.
 
Well, it wasn't Buck fever...although I was shaking. But I found out my stupid ankle boot messes up my shooting!
 
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