Rock bottom

[Friend]

From rock bottom, we climb out to attain our greatest success.

[Jock Whisky]

Buckeye when I teach people to shoot I usually ask them after they have been at it for a while what their objective is when they are about to take a shot. The usual answer is something like "to hit the target". I then suggest to them that rather than focusing on hitting the target their objective might be to execute the shot correctly. If they do that they will hit their target.  In other words run your shot sequence. If you are hitting the leaves when you take a couple of practice shots then there is nothing wrong with your ability. You might want to try visualizing your shot while you wait in your stand to help prepare yourself. And when your opportunity comes, focus on your shot sequence to keep your mind centered. Just my $0.02

[Bowguy67]

Here’s something I tell my students once they can shoot. Archery is mental once you can shoot. Seems you’re so worried you’re mind isn’t set to “I can’t miss”. Every bad shot is history. Makes no difference to the next one. Let it go and just move forward.
If you need a break mentally or physically take one. You may have a break down somewhere in form as well. Go through your steps and don’t worry bout accuracy right off. If your form is good, you’ll be consistent. Through consistency you’ll realize accuracy. Fix your head, check your form.

[Bowguy67]

Buckeyebowhunter, you are clearly miss-identifying the problem.  You say in you opening "At an all time low with my shooting," but then describe shooting fine until the moment presents itself on live deer.  The problem is you are battling YOU.  You may be overwhelmed by your desire to succeed, or your fear of missing or an unconscious belief that what happened last time will happen again.  This is similar, I suppose, to target panic, which has derailed many a target archer.

The remedy is to understand what is happening in your mind. That might be easier said than done.  Then plan the next encounter.  Plan to make it close.  Really close.  Slam dunk.  Remind yourself not to rush or worry if the deer might get away.  If he bolts, so be it.   There will be another time.  Be a hunter in watching behavior and preparing for the moment of the shot, the right distance and right angle.  THEN at the moment of the shot, plan to quit thinking of anything but the simple mechanics of making a good shot...pushing the arrow directly to where you want it to go, while pulling the string directly straight away and release it into the center of the shot.  NOW go back to hunter mode and record your mind's video of where the arrow struck and the deer's subsequent reactions.

You will overcome this, just know you already know how to shoot arrows.  Now you must control your thinking and emotions.  Learn to use some deep breathing and mentally rehearse doing it right!  Good luck.

Great post!

[Roy from Pa]

Nothing causes us to miss more than our subconscious mind screwing with us!

Practice is one thing knowing the target isn't going to move off, however when that deer is standing there, that is when we really need to walk through our complete shot routine. It was mentioned before that you should try drawing on deer, aiming, holding, then let down. That is a great way to get over shot panic at live deer.

Hang in there Bob, it will get better.

[buckeyebowhunter]

Thanks Roy and well said by the way. 

[Kevin Dill]

You can shave a chipmunk at 12 yards but something happens with deer.

The more you want something, the more your emotions get in the way.

Subconscious anxiety will blow your focus and resulting accuracy.

You probably have best accuracy when it doesn't really matter.

What I'm about to say tends to fly in the face of what we think about accurate shots on animals:

The most consistently accurate stickbow shooter I ever met was a human arrow machine. This guy ruined arrows like I ruin cupcakes. I talked with him and he told me something I've carried with me for almost 4 decades. His words....

"I could care less where the arrow goes".

I had to get a definition from him on that statement. He used 'care' in the context of emotion. He never let the previous shot affect him, and he didn't ever let himself worry ('care') where the next arrow would land. He was basically a stone cold bow shot and killer. He saved the emotions for after the win or the kill. He told me he was certainly interested in where EVERY arrow went, and he used that focus to improve himself...his shot sequence. He absolutely never concerned his present mind with the events (shot results) of the past, or anticipation (good or bad) of the future. He stayed calm and focused in the here-and-now.

What I took away from that: I don't dwell on feeling one way or the other about a shot...made or blown. I don't need any of that in my head when practicing or when taking a shot at game. If I blow a shot or things don't go right afterward, I go into analysis mode. I don't lose confidence and I go right back to focusing on making that stone cold accurate shot. All I can do is all I can do... if you follow. This isn't a perfect sport...perfect world...and I'm not a perfect shot. I forgive myself immediately for making a poor shot and I move on to the next.

Thanks

[buckeyebowhunter]

Kevin, thank you for sharing I always appreciate what you have to say and I appreciate everyone else's input as well.