In The "Zone"
 

Ihave been reading alot of posts lately about shooting and accuracy and people asking if their groups are "good enough". Well it isn't long before someone responds with the old "that's shooting at a target and not a deer" statement.

That got me thinking about my shooting, when it's the "real deal" and there is a live deer at the other end of my arrow.

I don't know about you guys but for me it's almost like I get into a "zone" where nothing else is noticed. I don't feel cold, heat, sweat, rain,heartbeat, breathing, no bugs bother me...nothing. It's almost like nothing else exists. It's like I have tunnel vision and nothing else matters except my target. Once I'm locked on and fully drawn, I see nothing else but a small patch of fur. I am soo focused in that verymoment before the shot that I doubt I would notice someone standing right next to me.

On the other hand when I'm at the range my mind is going 100 miles a minute from thinking about my form to what the person is doing next to me to every day life. For me it's easier to be focused when I'm hunting and there has rarely been a time when my arrow didn't go exactly where I was aiming.

Is anybody else like that?

RE: In The "Zone"
 

Not me! Doe's don't get to me any more but that guy with the tree on his head does! I have to really pull it together and focus on what I need to do. Calm my breathing,pick a spot and drill it!:D

RE: In The "Zone"
 

I couldn't have described it any better myself. I recall times when I don't even remember releasing the arrow. lol

RE: In The "Zone"
 

yea pretty much the same deal with me too.
except even during target practice i stay very focused. that way no matter what i`m shooting at, the form is exactly the same.

PT

RE: In The "Zone"
 

I could have and should have added that too. That is exactly how it is for me!

RE: In The "Zone"
 

The bucks still get me very excited and I have resorted to thinking things like, "Geez, I'm gonna hate dragging this guy out of here!" and things like that to get myself to calm down.

RE: In The "Zone"
 

I don't want you all to think I don't get excited because I do........very much. When I see a brusier walking my way I can hardly stay still and my heart is going a thousand beats a second:D. It's when I get to the point that I draw on the deer that everything goes blank and I mean everything. All I see if a small patch of fur in my sight and I notice nothing else, not even releasing the arrow as was mentioned eariler.

It's weird but I am more focused at that moment than I can ever be at the range.

RE: In The "Zone"
 

Ditto!! I hear nothing, I focus on one thing and one thing only.....make the shot. At the range, I don't HAVE to make the shot......don't get me wrong, I like a tight group just like the next bow hunter, but I treat each and every shot like it's my one and only kill shot. I love being in the woods with the stillness....then the crunch of leaves,....then butterflies in my stomach and goose bumps on the back of my neck......reaching for my bow and trying not to start shaking....I love it. Draw....Aim.....Release............The kill shot. The one and only shot that really counts.

RE: In The "Zone"
 

That's me in a nutshell. I get excited when I first see the deer but by the time it gets to me I'm cool. Until after the shot and then I breakdown again.

RE: In The "Zone"
 

that is DEAD on for me.....no difference at all.....i might be freezing....or have a real bad itch, and have to cough at the same time.....you know the type of feeling where your throat almost itches.....i could be right on the brink of letting off a big ole cough and then if i see a deer in sight......BAM, everything is focused on that deer.....honestly i dont even know if im breathing for that first minute or two when he comes into sight!! its a great feeling.

RE: In The "Zone"
 

I love that feeling. As soon as I see the deer, I'm sure my heart is pounding, but I never notice it. Time goes into slow motion and I center the crosshairs and hold it for a few seconds, not breathing. Then I tell myself, "It's now or never," and pull the trigger. I don't feel the recoil or hear the report: all I know is that the scope jumped off the deer. A split-second later my visionsnaps into focusand I see a deer kicking on the ground. That's when I get so excited I can hardly get out of the stand.

It'll be interesting to see how that carries over to bowhunting this season...

RE: In The "Zone"
 

Exactly the way I feel,, It's 20 degrees out you've been sitting in your stand for the last 4 hours your frezzing and then you hear it, Snap!!! A twig on the ground and you look around to see the one you have been waiting for, big buck, little buck, doe, it's all the same to me, my heart starts to pound the shaking knees you stand up slowly draw your bow back aim, and at that point you feel nothing, no cold, the knees stop shaking your focused, you almost become one with everything around, I don't hear nothing, I only see a small patch of hair just one single strand, and then you release the arrow and you hear that sound, undiscripible by words,, and you watch the deer run and see it fall, and at that point your a freaking wreck, cant stand still, cant sit down, all you want to do is go get your trophy,, well at least thats how it is for me.....man I can't wait!!!!

RE: In The "Zone"
 

It is obvious by some of the posts that I'm reading that some of you know EXACTLY how I'm feeling. It's hard to explain but I loose track of time almost. I could not tell you how long I held the draw or anything else that happens after I pull back. I can only remember a small patch of fur. I can remember the exact trail and path the deer took to get to me and all of the times it stopped, but once I draw....nothing.

I am so focused on the moment of the shot that everything else fades into oblivion. Then shortly after the shot it all starts to overwhelm me in a rush of feelings, senses and emotions. I'm like a kid again who can't wait for his parents to wake up on Christmas morning so I can open presents. I can't even sit still in the tree I'm so anxious to go to the downed deer.

Thanks for all of the responses and keep them comming.

RE: In The "Zone"
 

The instant my arm begins to draw, my mindgoes blank as can be, and instinct takes over and it just happens. I can recall it later as I replay the shot, but when I shoot everything is being processed in my headand it doesn't even feel like it.

RE: In The "Zone"
 

I agree with everyone 100%. Its seems like I always shoot my best when everything goes silent and the only thing that exists is that little spot
behind the shoulder. Man I have got to get in a stand , this is killing me!!!
Come on Oct 1!!!

RE: In The "Zone"
 

Once I get that first deer of the season the rest seem to go perfect for me.Its that first one that I have my problems with.Just getting the shot off is the hard part.I do hit where I aim though.But after that first shot nothing else seems to bother me I also fix on one spot and just get into my groove is what I cal lit.I can mess up practicing that what it is for.Trying new things and such perfecting another.The time to be consistant is in the stand.

RE: In The "Zone"
 

hey bigj12, that's the awsome thing about hunting. if I ever lose that feeling I'll quit hunting.
that's a promise

RE: In The "Zone"
 

I get excited when any deer comes in. I love that feeling so much. Beads of sweat collecting on my brow, heart pumping, at full draw as nothing exsists but that one hair I'm aiming at.

RE: In The "Zone"
 

I almost always shootmybest(rifle, shotgun, or bow) at the moment of truth...