RE: New bow hunter with bad nerves
I don't get that much anymore. I mostly go auto pilot. BUT, a lot of times early on(the first 25 years of bowhunting) I'd get nervous. I developed a couple things that calmed me almost immediately. First off, take a couple of slow... deep ... easy breaths and let them out slow and relaxed. I also would close my eyes if the deer is a ways away and take a couple slow breaths. I would also keep my eyes moving looking for other deer that may be better or those I had to watch so I didn't spook my intended target. Just breath, squint, close your eyes, whatever. Just don't stare at the horns too much. You have to look at them to see what you got, but once you decide to shoot your focus should be on THE SPOT you want your arrow to hit... and for gosh sakes breathe. After you've drawn and are ready to take the shot.... don't do it. Just pause another second and ask yourself, is this the sight picture I want. It'll ensure you're looking at the SPOT and not the DEER.