Rocky Top Game Calls

As you all know bow season is right around the corner, and being the young hunter that I am I still have problems shaking when a deer gets in range. Heck it doesnt even have to be a buck, sometimes i get buck fever when a doe walks under my stand. So I am up for any suggestions on how to overcome this nerve racking problem of mine

Brotherhick

Brotherhick,

You don't have a problem sounds like your right on track! lol Even the professionals tend to be a little nervous. My philosphy is that if you ever stop shaking or getting anxious when your hunting wildlife, hang up your bow and take up another sport, cause that's what it is all about bro!

There are ways to develop better shooting habits however. Here's just a few tips:

1) Get a good feel for your bow. If you need to shop around and change stabilizers it may help.

2) Practice shooting well before season opens. If you hunt from a stand, practice shooting from a stand.

3) Don't put a "death grip" on your bow, I am a right handed shooter, so my "support hand" (left) I leave open when practicing. I also have a wrist sling on my bow so the weight of the bow is supported by my wrist. This relaxes my arm while shooting.

I'm not an expert by no means, just telling what helps me. But remember the shaking is just adrenaline which most never get over.

Emmett Slone
Owner, Eagle Creek Outfitters

Guiding and Filming Hunts
Outdoor Store & Online Shopping
Waynesboro, Tennessee

www.eaglecreekoutfitters.com
shop.eaglecreekoutfitters.com

Emmett,

Hey brother I sure do appreciate the advice, I'll make sure to remember all the tips you gave me, im sure it will help. Im actually going with Chris to Illinois for a bow hunt this year, so Im trying to practice up just in case that big 180 class mossycod walks up under my stand. Good luck hunting this year and once again thanks.

Brotherhick

Illinois? There ain't no deer up there...lol

Actually when are you all going? Bryant (Co-Owner) and ProStaffer Steve "Opie" Thomas are also going to do some filming in Pike Co.

Good Luck

Learn to enjoy the entire process of the actual shot on an animal.

Look at the shot you're given, picture your back yard target where the deer is, and remind yourself how many times you've made this exact shot.

When your heart starts pounding in your ears, grin.

When you're at full draw, pause a half second. Look at your sight picture and enjoy the fact that you are about to kill that animal. And grin again.

That was what it took for me to get over buck fever. And I got it BAD as a kid!!!

I think for me the fear of failing on the shot made it worse. When I began approaching shots at deer with the same confidence and attitude as clutch free-throws in front of an away crowd I calmed down.

But don't confuse the rush of drawing on an animal with buck fever. The rush will always be there:wink:

Stare buck fever in the eye, make it your friend, and perform better because of the pressure!

Good luck in Illinois, I hope you kill a stud!

Great advice Double Lung.

I sometimes tell myself when a shooter approaches that "He'll never get in range" or "I'm probably not going to get a shot at this buck". By telling myself this I'm not being negitive in my ability to pull the shot off, I'm just reducing the pressure and thoughts of blowing the opportunity if I get it. If that shooter gets closer and the shot does present itself I say "Hey he's fixing to step in that opening" or "You know I just might get a shot at this stag after all" up until that point I've had time to calm. I then draw with a positive attitude, take dead aim and squeeze, trusting that all my hard work and practice is fixin' to pay off.

As kids my brothers and I used to joke about buck fever. We all had it BAD, and for a time tried laughter as a remedy. I don't know how much it helped, but it did provide another excuse for us to laugh at one another's expense!

When I was about 13 I jokingly told my brothers that I was going to start singing Bob Seger's "Come to Poppa" the next time I saw a deer out of range. We made a big joke of it, dancing around with bows in hand and singing like a bunch of stninin' idiots. One brother actually began to sing it under his breath every time he saw a deer, and claimed it helped him calm down!

I still chuckle (and sing under my breath) the first hunt every year when I see a deer in the distance

Hey I really appreciate the advice Double Lung and Chris, Im afraid though Duble Lung that if I start singing "Come to Poppa" in the tree stand, that i will scare most of the deer off Ill be laughing so hard at myself, but hey its a start.whatever works ill try. lol.
Emmett our whole bunch will be up in Illinois from Oct. 30th through Nov. 4th so if yall are gonna be up there get in contact with Chris and maybe we can meet up.
To anyone else out there keep rolling the advice in I can use what I can get.

Thanks,
Brotherhick

Some great advice given so farand I don't really think I can add much besides telling you what I do.

I have no idea why, but I have never gotten REALLY shaken up until after the shot. I always try to not look a deer in the eye when they are coming in and that keeps me from actually seeing the head gear or noticing it as much maybe. Now after the shot on a deer especially with a bow whether it be a doe or a good buck I get tore up and shake, but that it what keeps me going every day. The same thing happens when I shoot a turkey, I get really shaken after the shot, but seem to always be cool and collective until the Benelli barks. I hunt alone the majority of the time so I always run up to the bird, put a foot on it's neck, and thank the man up stairs for allowing me to take another of his greatest creations. I like to sit down, replay it all in my head and take my time walking out.

Hope ya'll kill a big one or a bunch of little ones.