Bone tired. Can you make the shot?

[jhg]

I have a simple question that raised its head this weekend while hunting hard for elk. For whatever the reason, by the end of the day I  was out of gas. I mean almost stumbling worn out. It occurred to me that in this condition I might not be able to make the shot.

Tired. Physically spent. Mentally not sharp.

Will the adrenalin kick in if that bull presents a shot? Probably. For those of you who have "been there", can I count on it to make the shot possible?

I don't know. I've never hunted myself to that degree of exhaustion.  Certainly not with a bow. And remember, tired physically AND mentally.

Thanks

Joshua

[wtpops]

A few years ago i passed on a shot on a hog because i was that worn out, but the desision was not made with a thought of shot placement. i didnt even have a thought that i couldnt make the shot. But there was no way i was going to be able to get that hog out of the woods and back to my truck in the condition i was in, so i passed.

[craftwelder]

I am not sure about that......I know that every sunday I shoot a 45 target 3d shoot in the are.  I am dog bone tired when I do this....Sat night I work a 12 hour shift, heavy rigging, and industrial construction.  I am not shooting perfect rounds but I am not in last plac either....maybe it will help me with hunting season.  Thanks for something to ponder on Joshua.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

I will answer it this way....if you can muster the physical strength to properly draw your bow, and the mental strength to properly focus, shoot. If you can draw the bow but are to whipped to focus, pick a spot, etc., don't shoot.

[wingnut]

I've been there and have made the shot no problem.  What I learned was don't get there.  Usually it's from being dehydrated and low blood sugar.  Make sure you drink water on a regular schedule during the day and eat every hour or two to keep on top form.  You are going to get tired in the mountains.  ..period.  But staggering bone tired is dangerous.

Mike

[jhg]

Good points Mike. I think hydration had something to do with it. I exhausted my water by 4PM. It was hot.

[Missouri CK]

I don't think most of us would get to the point where we can't physically perform the shot. However, I have been to the point mentally where you are just not sharp at all.  By about day 6 or 7 on an elk hunt if you are not taking a nap at mid day then it's going to get dicey.  Easily distracted, quick to make poor decisions, and not very attentive to details.

I think it is one of the toughest things for flatlanders to face when it comes to hunting out west.

[Mo. Huntin]

I have experience operating not mentally sharp at all.  What was the question again?

[Bonebuster]

The presence of game causes me to release enough adrenaline that I have never experienced the inability to perform when the time comes.

Deer and hogs are the only big game I`ve ever killed, and I can only imagine the rush something the size of a horse would give. I wouldn`t worry about being too tired. If you have been practicing, and your confidence level is high, your body will respond and give you what you need, because you KNOW deep down that you CAN do it.

[James Wrenn]

Several years ago I moved up in bow weight during the summer.After an all day hunt in the marsh I was about beat when a shot on a hog appeared.I blew the shot because in the position I was in I could not get to full draw.I now shoot bows light enough I can shoot them well no matter my condition or the situation.I can easily shoot 10lbs more weight in the summer and for 3ds if I want to but I drop weight for hunting season.

[dan ferguson]

If an Elk presented a shot in this condition I would forget all about tired, and fresh elk liver would revive me quickly.

[reddogge]

But it you are that wrung out how are you going to handle an elk after it's down?

[rappstar]

This past year I trained for this situation for my elk hunt.  I would go run a few miles.  Then I would immediately put a 40# pack on and walk on the treadmill for an hour or two.  Then I would go shoot my bow with the pack still on.  

At first it was a little different shooting my bow while I was tired, but it became easy to do after a couple of weeks.  I couldn't simulate altitude but did the best I could.  Once in the mountains, I felt as good as a flatlander could feel.  I never really felt extremely beat and I covered some steep country every day.

I agree with some above that if you are stumbling tired, something else is wrong...hydration/nutrition.

[wollelybugger]

I have hunted back in the woods so far that I wouldn't take a shot if it presented itself. If you are stumbling tired sit down and take a break.

[jhg]

Stumbling as in tired. Not like being drunk . Sorry for the confusion.
My question is not how to manage your output. It is, IF you find yourself in that condition could you make the shot.

I think there are times and places where you wind up tired.  Rest is a good idea, water is a good idea and managing your body a good idea, but sometimes you get tired anyway and mentally tired anyway. Could you make the shot?
I think the comment about bow weight makes a lot of sense. Considering my  bows pull it has me thinking a few pounds lighter might make sense if a situation such as this could arise again. I have always shot my bow when feeling pretty good. Very tired? I don't know... have to give it a try.

[Snakeeater]

jhg,

I think the best comment was made by xxxxxxxxx when he said to go through your shot process and if you don't feel confident in making the shot, just let it down. The other point is to only make the shot if you are prepared to spend the night since you will not want to be packing it all out at night when exhausted. If you kill it, then dress it out, hang it up, and spend a siwash/night in the boonies.

[ChuckC]

Nothing says you HAVE to get the animal out that night,  although you DO have to take care of it so it doesn't spoil.

I have been there,  recently.  Mostly, if I get that tired or worn, I make mistakes and don't get to see a critter close enough to even consider shooting at.

I had the same thing happen,  ran out of water, which is a new experience for me, and over taxed myself.  That is dangerous and has more lasting results.  Learn and don't so that.
ChuckC

[Charlie Lamb]

I believe that if you find yourself in that condition in the mountains you'd be well advised to focus strength and determination on getting back to camp.

The mountains kill men in that condition every year.