Been there....

On my bull elk hunt in Wyoming I drew my bow as the bull entered the opening. At full draw he stopped behind a tree and looked at me or so I thought. I was on one knee at full draw holding it with no shot. The bull stared, the guide screamed on the bugle the bull stared I held my draw......and held, and held and held. The bull actually was looking over my shoulder at the guide behind me about 30 yards. I could tell the bull wasn't locked on me as every now and again he'd look toward me and then turn and look over my shoulder and still I held. I pushed the cam into my knee so I could lock it in...I turned my chin into the string to help try to hold it...I shook....at "forever" the bull stook a step forward, I raised up, locked the bow in and released...the bull went 50 yards and collapsed.

you'll never know if your locked in with your pin until your there. Everyone is different and only you will know when that moment of truth happens. For me, when the bull stepped out, all my muscles resumed form. I was rock steady for a moment...aftet the shot I collapsed in exhaustion sucking wind....I felt like I ran a marathon. The guide/friend snuck up behind me and said "I never thought you'd be able to hold that"...I said I would have held it for hours...laughing....the bull laid out in the timber at 50 yards. It was incredible.

With all of the let off on new compound bows i dont think its all that hard to hold a bow back for a few minutes. I actually practice that every now and then. You never know how long it will take him to step out into that nice big green field.

OK, a little trick for you to try. It really does work. When you're at full draw and think you can't hold it any longer, without letting down...pull your release elbow all the way downand press it to your rib cage.Your folded armwill be restingdown your rib cage with your elbow pointed downtoward your waist. You'll be surprised at the result. It actually takes the strain off and will buy you a lot more time. You'll be able to hold draw for a long time in this position. When ready, raise the elbow back up to shooting position, aim and release. Next time you go out to practice just do it. First time come to full draw and then swing your arm down. When you get the feel, draw and hold as long as you can, when you can't hold anymore, try the drop the elbow method and see how much longer you get and how easy it is to go back up to a shooting position without shaking. Used it on more than one occasion.

Exactly. I'm not releasing unless I know I got it in me.

If you feel you are going to miss... you will. Think about something positive. I have a list of things written on my limb. When i draw back I read the list and it calms me down. I will need the list this year if the buck we have been watching comes in. He is close toa 200 inch buck!

I practice holding my bow for extended periods of time and then shooting just for this scenario. If I can still hold the string back, I can make a 25 yard shot. I had a similarthing happen a few years ago. I had a nice 135 inch 10 pointer get past me and I called himback. He came charging in so I drew back thinking it was gonna happen fast but he hung upbehind some brush for a long time. Finaly he step out at 30 yards and I let it loose, dontthink he went 100 yards maybe. They point is you should practice for any possible situation and if your ready for it you should be able to make the shot. If your not then dont take the shot.

Someone mentioned that I watch too many movies but it was from one show that I seen. I don't get a chance to watch many outdoors shows at all as my satellite provider does not have a hunting channel. I just put out a scenario...a what if is all. As for me, I have only shot 3 deer and me being in a situation like this (which I haven't) I don't know what I would do. This question was a scenario question. I am sure that not everyone has taken a perfect broadside shot while a deer was standing still for them at 20 yds and so I put this question out is all. Good to see that at least some people were honest in their answers no matter if they would receive heat for it. TY all for the answers.

I would let down and not take the shot.If you aren't steady enough and of the mind set you need to be you don't take the shot.