Zarr from what you are saying you had the same thing happen to you that happened to me on that doe, I called it buck fever, not because I ruched the shot or was shaking, but simply because I blew my anchor point, I have killed a ton of deer with a gun before that doe, but I simply missed my anchor point and the only real reason I could come up with was because it was my first shot at a deer with a bow. As you said, my brain was turned off in regards to my anchor point.

I will tell you this, one day the buck of a lifetime will appear out of nowhere so close it will scare you, watch for the fever than!!! No one is totally immune. I have found with me that the longer I have to react to a deer the less chance I have of the fever, it is when they just suddenly appear that seems to shake me! I know some people who are the opposite, they are fine when they have very little time to think about a shot and loose it if they have to deal with the adreniline for 15-20 minutes before the shot presents itself.

The Tazman aka Martin Price
Founder and President of
Virginia Disabled Outdoorsmen Club