RE: How to control buck fever
Breath Grasshopper.... breath deeply. Seriously, if you find yourself getting the shakes, just close your eyes and take a couple deep slow breaths and let them out gently. I know people say don't look at the horns and all that, but hey, I'm watching the deers head to see what he's doing and where he's looking. Horns..no horns... it doesn't matter. When I start to tune in for the shot I just pick a spot, pick a spot, pick a ripple or crease or something I want to hit. If the deer hangs up or gets nervous you just have to breath some more, close the eyes and will the bugger to do what you want. As the deer approaches you should be working over in your mind, where he's going, when will I draw, where will I shoot and be ready for 2 or 3 changes of direction. CHECK AND DOUBLE CHECK FOR OTHER DEER as he comes in. You don't want to do everything right and then blow it because you weren't aware of some 60 pound weakling under your tree. Draw when it's time and settle in. Right about the time I would take a shot at home on a target I ask myself, "Is this the picture I want to see??? Double check the sight picture, verify it's what I want and the shot seems to happen the second time through". I have every confidence when I let it go my arrows are shooting great and it's a dead deer. After the shot when he runs away you got to watch him go, left of this bush, right of that tree, over the log, beside this tree. Mark his progress and double burn in your memory where you last saw him. As you decend the tree, keep that spot in you view if you can. Keep looking at it because it'll change when you touch turf. Then go get your deer.... he's dead, Remember??