beat the panic today!

[deermaster1]

started shooting gap after "instinctive" became  a slam to full draw and have no clue where the arrow was going. still had panic with the gap method but was slightly better because i did finally have a solid anchor, but still could not set the gap and hold it. today after being so discouraged i slept in on opening day, i got sick of not being able to set and hold and my gap and just told myself today that if i get a shot at a deer, i know ill miss or wound it and didnt want to do that! so i just told myself i would not panic anymore or i dont hunt and now im shooting the lights out! i know what my gap looks like at differant distances, i can hold for up to 15 seconds on target and still make a good shot! come monday ill be huntin! thanks for all the info ive been given over the last several months!  just took bein' tough with myself!

[fleetus]

For me, I can say target panic came about from being over-bowed, I think.  I didn't get around to practicing regularly enough.  Then when I did start to prepare for hunting season, usually a month or two before it started, I would jump too far ahead in the training.  In other words, I would take my 60# bow out and start slinging arrows at targets.  I was more interested in my accuracy (and just the fun of seeing arrows in flight) than I was in form.  

I took over a year off from shooting the bow. That is a hard thing when you love shooting so much.  But I did, I just lost some confidence and quit shooting.  Then, I started just pulling the bow back in my living room and timing myself on how long I could hold it at anchor.  Kept doing that until I could hold it for a full minute.  

Next step was to go out and shoot 5 feet in front of the target.  Wasn't concerned with exactly where the arrow went.  I just would draw, hold for 5-10 seconds, release.  After doing that for a week, I started shooting at targets.  Haven't had a target panic moment ever since and that was a couple years ago.  In addition, with the added attention to proper strength and form, my draw length went from 28" to nearly 30".  Hope this can help someone.  I've shot instinctive the whole time and enjoy it to this day.  I just had to learn to get my priorities straight.  Strength and form first, shooting arrows second.

[Scott J. Williams]

Fleetus,

     I want to tell you that while I have had the beginnings of target panic, it was always staved off by making myself hold longer.

      You are dead on the money about shooting a bow that is not too heavy for you.  While it has been stated that target panic is the fear of missing, or shooting in front of a group.  I think it is a the loss of control, most often started by the inability to hold the bow at full draw until the brain and the eye have agreed that the picture is right, better stated, the spot has been lock into the targeting system.

      What people fail to understand, is the fact that the bow will shoot the same way everyday it is drawn. The archer changes, he/she gets fatigued, family, job problems, or illness.  Each of these things may force us to lose physical strength, and/or concentration.

       If it takes me three seconds find my mark once I reach full draw on a good day, what happens on a day when my concentration is not up to par.  I know this is not as applicable to Gap Shooters, but very important to instinctive shooters.

        I shoot very well when the shot has to be quick, but I didn't not get that way by practicing quick shots.  I got that way by taking my time, now when I practice I make myself take an extra two or three count.  My shooting has improved so much, it frightens me.

        Now when I draw on game, I feel no hurry to "get er done".  I repeat the montra, I am in charge, I shoot when I am ready.  It works for me...