How do you control the mental game?
03-09-2007, 09:29 AM
#23
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 1,469
RE: How do you control the mental game?
Once i see the deer, i quickly shut my eyes if its a ways off and tell my self to calm down. A couple seconds later i am completely relaxed and focused in on what needs to be done. I am normally cool calm and collected up until i see the arrow hit the mark. Thats when i start shaking like a leaf and have to sit down!!!!!!
03-09-2007, 09:41 AM
#24
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location:
Posts: 7,571
RE: How do you control the mental game?
ORIGINAL: antlerchaser
A few helpful things to think about -
*Practice
*visualize the shot and the deers position
*Practicemore
* Visualize your drawing sequence
* Practice more
*make absolutely sure your equipment is never faulty
*Practice from elevations that you plan on hunting from and do not vary much from that height if you can help it
*practice some more
*visualize where the arrow will hit and where it will exit
*Practice some more
*Shoot often with a few of your broadheads used just for this purpose
by doing these thingsit will instill confidence in your ability to make the shot even if youbecome "unglued" . Your built up confidence will keep the fever channeled positively intead of negatively.
A few helpful things to think about -
*Practice
*visualize the shot and the deers position
*Practicemore
* Visualize your drawing sequence
* Practice more
*make absolutely sure your equipment is never faulty
*Practice from elevations that you plan on hunting from and do not vary much from that height if you can help it
*practice some more
*visualize where the arrow will hit and where it will exit
*Practice some more
*Shoot often with a few of your broadheads used just for this purpose
by doing these thingsit will instill confidence in your ability to make the shot even if youbecome "unglued" . Your built up confidence will keep the fever channeled positively intead of negatively.
03-09-2007, 10:04 AM
#25
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Southwest Ohio
Posts: 2,849
RE: How do you control the mental game?
ORIGINAL: KS227
If buck fever ever goes away, shoot me. I love my wife and I love my kids, but that moment that you feel it hit......it is my drug and I am a hopeless junkie
As far as control, Try what WashingtonHunter said. Develop a simple repitition. There is comfort and control in repitition.
If buck fever ever goes away, shoot me. I love my wife and I love my kids, but that moment that you feel it hit......it is my drug and I am a hopeless junkie
As far as control, Try what WashingtonHunter said. Develop a simple repitition. There is comfort and control in repitition.
03-09-2007, 10:46 AM
#26
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location:
Posts: 1,394
RE: How do you control the mental game?
I think it goes back to the old addage - "Fail to plan, plan to fail".
In any situation that causes stress or any other high level of emotion, you need to have planned for it. Once you're there, you just remind yourself "I've planned for this moment. I am in control. All I have to do is follow the plan" And also, I think it helps to take a short moment to remind yourself that you're in that situation because you want to put yourself in it, and also remind yourself that you're enjoying yourself.
Think about how emotional you'd be if you were going to starve to death if you missed...
In any situation that causes stress or any other high level of emotion, you need to have planned for it. Once you're there, you just remind yourself "I've planned for this moment. I am in control. All I have to do is follow the plan" And also, I think it helps to take a short moment to remind yourself that you're in that situation because you want to put yourself in it, and also remind yourself that you're enjoying yourself.
Think about how emotional you'd be if you were going to starve to death if you missed...
03-09-2007, 12:53 PM
#27
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: St. Louis, MO
Posts: 4,487
RE: How do you control the mental game?
When it comes to making the shot I do fine. I guess all of the practice pays off and I just sortof go on autopilot. Sometimes I barely remember aiming and taking the shot. But before the shot presents itself I can be a mess, even with does. If I have deer around me my knees start to shake and I forget to breathe. The biggest buck I have taken (165 gross) came walking up a creek bed and bedded down 30 yards from me. I neve had a chance to stand up and a limb blocked any shot. He laid there for an hour. All I could think of is I hope I don't have to pee. Every time he would move his head and show off all 11 points my whole body would start shaking. Thenhe got up and started walking my direction nibbling here and there. He turned and passed by my left side (I am right handed so this was perfect) at 15 yards. I drew while still sitting and put the arrow right behind his shoulder and he went about 75 yards.
So to answer your question, I don't really know how I handle it but at the time of the shot I don't usually think about it I just do it. Maybe it is from years of experiance and practice. Plus I have killed a lot of deer with my bow. One more thing, I practice a lot in my back yard at 3D targets so I am very confident in my ability to make a good shot and I think that helps a lot too. Confidence can make a big difference.
So to answer your question, I don't really know how I handle it but at the time of the shot I don't usually think about it I just do it. Maybe it is from years of experiance and practice. Plus I have killed a lot of deer with my bow. One more thing, I practice a lot in my back yard at 3D targets so I am very confident in my ability to make a good shot and I think that helps a lot too. Confidence can make a big difference.
03-09-2007, 01:22 PM
#29
Dominant Buck
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location:
Posts: 21,043
RE: How do you control the mental game?
I'm like Jim...
Autopilot. I dont think I just aim and focus on the killzone.
Autopilot. I dont think I just aim and focus on the killzone.
You've practiced the jump shot a million times (or the proper techniques in bow hunting). When the shot arrives.......it's "auto pilot".
GREAT discussion, guys......
03-09-2007, 01:30 PM
#30
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Southeast, VA
Posts: 2,119
RE: How do you control the mental game?
Whether I am target shooting,3D, or hunting Ialways keep a little sticker on the inside of my upper limb with these letters on it.
S-D-A-A-R-F
B-H
which means:
Stance Draw Anchor Aim Release Follow-Through
Burn a Hole
The "Burn a Hole" part is in regards to picking an exact spot/speck and not shooting at the whole target (thisdefinitely appliesto hunting for me and helps me remember to not get distracted by circumstances and focus on an exact tuft of hair or spot to put my arrow through). As far as the "buck fever aspect" breathing helps me a lot and I just keepsaying (to myself of course)"sit still, be quiet" until the time comes to make my move. I find the sticker to be a great reminder to focus.
S-D-A-A-R-F
B-H
which means:
Stance Draw Anchor Aim Release Follow-Through
Burn a Hole
The "Burn a Hole" part is in regards to picking an exact spot/speck and not shooting at the whole target (thisdefinitely appliesto hunting for me and helps me remember to not get distracted by circumstances and focus on an exact tuft of hair or spot to put my arrow through). As far as the "buck fever aspect" breathing helps me a lot and I just keepsaying (to myself of course)"sit still, be quiet" until the time comes to make my move. I find the sticker to be a great reminder to focus.