Saberbabe

Like everyone else said, you'll be fine and you will know the feeling that we have all experienced. Best part of hunting if you ask me.

Let Ed handle the bucks....hes on my team.

Saberbabe,

My biggest mistake on my first deer was wanting to drop the bow to see where the arrow hit. Don't make that mistake, keep that arm straight and just watch the deer's reaction.

"GregH" hit the nail on the head! He is exactly right. I forget where,but I read an article recently which talked about "Buck Fever", and how even the most seasoned of hunters still have problems dealing with this nerve ratteling feeling. It went on to mention that by spending more time around deer, the better off and more comfortable you'll be when you're ready to harvest one. Whether your in your stand scouting, glassing, or just driving around, the morevisual contact youhave with deer, the moreconfident you will be come season. Good luck and happy hunting!

your going to get the shakes...that part of hunting. It is an awesome feeling! If you don't get that feeling, then maybe you shouldn't be hunting!!

It could be the best part of hunting! I can remember the first doe I took with my bow, You would have thought I had just taken a boone&crocket(LOL) And after more than 23yr bowhunting Its still the reason I keep comming back yr, after yr, "I hope I never lose that feeling"...The onlyadvise I could give other than what has already been sead is Practice like you plan to hunt? If you plan on hunting from a tree! Practice from a tree using 3-d targets, each time you shoot pretend it`s like the real thing, then practice, practice, and practice,and when you think you have practiced enough? Go practice some more.

Practice and simulate the real deal the best you can.

I like to practice a little different as it gets real close to the season opener. It's easy to sit there and wing arrow after arrow at a 3-d target and put them in the zone on a consistent basis. That's good to get your form down, sight your bow in, etc....

If you want to simulate "the moment" try this. Set up a stand where you can practice. Get in your full hunting gear. Put a target out there at 20-30 yards (vary everytime you do this).

Climb up the stand like you would like you were in the woods. Knock an arrow, get situated, be quiet, etc.... everything you would do like you were going out to hunt. Then sit there and wait for awhile again like you were in the woods hunting. Stand up, grab your bow, manuever for a shot and simulate the scenario like there is a live deer and nota target.

Now......... you only have one shot. In the back of your mind you know that's the only arrow you have to shoot at that target (simulated live deer). See how you perform. It puts a different perspective and mindset on things rather than just firing 50 arrows in a row at a target at ground level. Practice this at different angles, distances, and light conditions.

I equate this to the golfer that can sit at the driving range and smack balls like he/she was a touring pro. They go to the golf course and can't hit the broadside of a barn.[8D] It's all how you perform during the moment. All you can do is prepare as much as possible and simulate the real deal.

Some people run sprints to get the heart rate up and then practice shooting. It's not quite the same but you get used to shooting while your heart is pounding, breathing heavy, etc.

As part of my shot routine, I crank up the Van Halen on my internal stereo (brain) and it helps me calm down to take a shot. Feel free to use the music of your choice (though you can't beat Van Halen).[&:]

posting pictures of yourself may help.