As I read back through this thread, there are a few more things I want to clarify/comment on.
I think the most important thing to getting over small bouts of target panic is just aiming without firing.
That is always what works best when things start to creep back up on me. I just stand at 20yds and aim. My brain just had to learn that the pin is not going to stay right on the dot!! It is going to drift. I never did perfect my relaxation at full draw ....so I was always a shaky aimer. But even thought I was shaky ...and that pin wobbled ...as long as I just relaxed and let the shot happen, it would magically just "be there."
So, that would be my first suggestion. Just draw back ....and be sure to put your finger ON THE TRIGGER. Dont leave your finger behind the trigger ...because you will trick your brain.
Even at my worst ...as long as that finger was behind the trigger, and my brain knew that ...I could hold on target. But if I tried to lay my finger on the trigger ...and then aim, I would freak out and punch it.
The funniest thing about getting over my target panic was my reaction to the surprise releases. When I first started shooting a release that I had no idea when it was going to go off, every time I shot...it looked like someone just came up behind me and scared the crap out of me. I would seriously jump. Funny stuff.
But once I got used to it...that went away. It also changed the way I shoot a gun as well. I use the same principles.
I also did not mean to sound like I was saying that a pure back tension release is good for hunting. It was necessary in my case at that time ....but this past fall I bought a tru-ball similar to the one you are shooting.
It is not practical to surprise-release when you are shooting at game. But it IS very important to surprise release during practice. Especially for someone prone to target panic. Last fall when I was getting ready for hunting ....I would keep my stanislawski around when I was practicing, and I would start and end my practice with about 10 shots with the stanislawski. Just to keep my head straight.
good luck, brother