kreg

I have a tendency to jerk the bow up when I shoot at a deer and end up shooting over it. I dont do that at targets though.
If I add more weight to the bow (some more limb savers, enhancer 2000 etc) will it help prevent me doing this? I thought it would because it would be heavier and my arm wouldnt be able to lift it as fast.
What do you think? Thanks

MThunter

Man I don't know if an equpment adjustment is going to override the adreniline you have when you shoot at a deer. Your bow could probably weigh 100 pounds and it would still feel like a feather as soon as a big one steps out. Your technique is the problem and there is no way really around it. You have to be thinking follow through on a deer all the time but for what ever reason I don't get excited until right after I take the shot and then my knees start shaking. Maybe you could even try putting a sticker inside you limb that says FOLLOW THRU. Maybe seeing it everytime you raise your bow will level out your shots. Good luck.

OHarcher

Sounds to me like BUCK FEVER!!!!!!!
Sounds as if you have no follow through when shooting at game.Don't feel bad there are plenty of guys whose form goes to hell when a live animal is near.
A heavier stabilizer may help a little,but you can still jerk the shot if you don't follow through.

davidmil

I think I'd give the sport up. Sounds like you're a basket case for sure.<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>s It's your follow through you have to work on.... not your bow.

HAWKEYES

I agree, it is your follow through. Here is another thing you can try instead of weighing down the front of your bow like a drag pull truck. Ever try shooting with a bow sling. In case you don't know what this is it is a stap that attatches to the bow by the stabilizer bar screw. You slide your hand into it and grip the bow with it sitting lose on your wrist. I se one and do not even hang on to my bow once I have it drawn back. I just leave my fingers open and do not grab the bow after the shot until I hear or see the arrow hit the target. The bow will drop forward after the shot, but it can not fall as it is secured to my wrist. When shooting paper targets, there is no adrenilin rush as there is with an animal. Never try to take a shot at an animal unless you can draw your bow and pick your spot and hold your sight pin solid on that spot. If the bow is moving all over, your chances for a bad hit are very high. Instead, watch the animal until you settle down and then take your shot. If you never settle down before it walks by then so be it, let it go to hunt it another day. Give the sling a try. Use it during the off season and shoot a lot with it until you get to the point you do not grab your bow until the arrow strikes. One more thing, are you shooting from a treestand while hunting. I am going to assume you are. If so have you ever tried to shoot your bow from your stand. My old bow use to shoot high from the tree when it was right on at 20 yards on the ground. I had to set my 3D target up at my stand site and sight in from my stand just before the season opened. I learned this the hard way by shooting over the back of 3 does before I took the 3D to the stand and got her tuned in. Good luck and happy hunting.

buckhunter3

Kreg,It sounds like you are getting tense before shooting what hunter doesn't.I would try bending a little at the knees if you are always high.It also relaxes you.I would maybe try if you don't already something like a kisser button to the corner of your mouth or where ever comfortable for you so that you have the same anchor point all the time and pick a spot on the deer.Good Luck

kreg

HAWKEYES, maybe I will give that a try, sounds like it will work.
I hunt from a ground blind though.
This past year I shot at a 4pt, missed over him. Then later I shot at a 3pt, missed over him. Then later in a morning hunt, I aimed lower (literally under his body because I knew I would jerk the bow up) well, I did the right think then, but the deer ducked and the arrow skimmed his back, knocking off hair. The last 2 times before I did that I shot over the deer because of that reason, and the deer didnt duck.

davidmil

I still say it's your follow thru and form. You need to take the off season and work on form. Wrist sling, don't grip the bow and hold on target until the arrow hits. Practice at close ranges. I'd even do some blind bale shooting where you're 8 or 10 feet from the target. Draw, point at target, close your eyes and squeeze the old back muscles. You shouldn't know when the shot is going off. Your form sucks no matter how many times you hit the bullseye in practice. That's your problem. Proper practice and all that stuff. It's not how many arrrows you shoot.... it's what percentage are good shots that counts.

Cougar Mag

Some good advice from above. Are you picking a spot on the deer as you do shooting at targets? I also believe you are trying to see where your arrow hits and this does affect follow through. Don't try to see where you hit the deer. I don't believe adding extra heavy weights on your bow will help, it will just tire you out and make it harder to steady the pin on the deer.

jsasker

if you shoot with a release--don't jump the release--let the shot surprise you.