ORIGINAL: dirz1
I am 28 years old and still can't control myself when it comes time to shoot (doe or buck it doesn't matter). I have been hunting with the bow for 7 years now and have harvested 2 bucks and 2 does, while missing 2 eights, 1 six, and about 4 does. I know that sounds bad. I practice all of the time. I shot 300 shots over the past few months and never have missed the vitals on the 3D target. I never take a shot over 40 yds.
My question is how does everyone keep control over there emotions.I just get so nervous and really have trouble with my body shaking.
I'm not busting your stones, but 300 shots over a few months isn't a lot. If you think about it, that's only 50 or 60 a day for a week or so. That's it.So you have a week of practice in a few months. If you shoot all year round, like indoor or 3-d shoots, and practicealso, 100 shots or so every couple days/shooting sessionis easy. What I'm saying is that you can never practice to much. Don't wear yourself out until you develope badhabits, but allow yourself moretime at the range to build that muscle memory and brain memory you need to shoot at crunch time. Controlling your emotions can be a skill learned through competitive archery.
Another thing I do is to tell myself "it's only a deer." And really, it is only a deer. There are millions of them out there, if you're a patient and persistent hunter and willing to learn the game, you'll get lots of chances. Don't put pressure on yourself to bag something all the time, you'll soon take the fun out of it. Relax, have fun, let a few deer walk by, get used to watching them, practice picking out a hair to shoot at. LImit yourself to a certain yardage, certain body position, until you're consistently bagging animals, then move up in the world.