Definetly NOT a Snap Shooter

[ChristopherO]

I have had more opportunities to kill a deer this year than I ever remember in my hunting career.  But not one hair has been cut.  It isn't for lack of flying arrows, though.
Let me give a bit of background:  Have gun hunted for well over 20 years with dozens of deer, not including all the many squirrels, rabbits and coyotes that have succumed to the bullet and other means.  Buck fever, for the most part, has long since been removed from my list of vices.  
Over the past two years I have set the beloved rifle/shotgun impliments aside and have focused solely on traditional archery.  All wood bows and fiberglass bows have my primary attention.  Target shooting confirms that I know how to place an arrow where I want it to be.  Hunting confirms that I know how to be where the animals are.  Shooting a traditional bow at said animals shows that I've got a long way to go before the necessary quick shooting skills are developed to the point that the fast paced action in the deer woods doesn't prevent me from killing my quarry.  
As I was explaining my latest catch and release hunt to my wife yesterday it dawned on me the parallel.  Having taught many folks to shoot firearms over the years the most natural stance for a beginner to shoot a shotgun at an aerial target is for them to shoulder the gun and then say, "Pull."  When I step up to the line I always hold the long gun at port arms, down by my waist, and say, "Pull."  The beginners are amazed that I take, what seems to them, such a disadvantage by having to raise my gun after the clay bird is launched.  I explain to them that it is actually easier to hit my target this way as I can  begin to raise the muzzle toward the flight path of the target and fire at it in one easy, smooth motion.
Now, I'm the beginner and this is such an ackward feeling.  When a deer comes into range I lack the experience and skill to draw, come to anchor and release in one fluid motion that is demanded when a buck is hot on a doe trail.  I still need a stationary target that isn't ready to bolt in a milisecond before I can accurately make the shot.
Yesterday morning, after being busted by the hot doe I waited for the buck I expected to follow.  Within 10 minutes he was fast approaching.  I almost had to jump out and say, "BOO!" to make him stop and then I either proceeded to shoot just over his back or hit a small branch just in front of him.  Whatever happened resulted in an unscathed deer and a clean arrow sticking out of the ground.  The speed of these encounters leaves me grasping and fruitless.  "Pick a spot, pick a spot," I tell myself all morning long.  Then when they get there the rush of the moment makes all my planning and practice a mute point.  
Does this get any better with practice?

[BLACK WOLF]

Practice like you hunt until it becomes instinctive where you no longer have to think about how to do it or if you are doing it correctly.

If you want to take shots at moving deer...practice on moving targets that closely simulate that.

If you want to take shots within a moments notice...practice like you only have a moments notice to shoot.

The blank bale is great in also developing a rythem to your shooting...even though it can be as boring as hell for some people. After you have engrained a rythem that applies to your needs... transition it to the target range while you aim.

Ray  

[Terry Green]

Christopher,  

I've read you post twice....and I've got a couple of questions based on what you wrote.

Just how many shots have you missed?

Have they all been high?

Have they all been moving shots?

I also gather from reading your post that just after your misses, you could have nailed a pine cone, or had a real close miss on a pine cone at the same distance based on your back yard ability?

[ChristopherO]

OK, Terry, if I must say it has been 7 missed opportunities this season.  Once was due to the limb tip hitting the tree branch, one was because I was focusing on the small twig between the buck and my broadhead and the rest are because I am shooting over them for the most part(except the buck the other evening that I under judged the yardage and actually shot underneath his chest).
No, I am not shooting at moving targets.  I realize I am not adepth enough at this for that type of shooting, yet.  Gun - yes, bow - no.  I am waiting until they stop or bleating at them to make them stop for a broadside shot.  But it is always a rush shot and I choke.

Yes to the pine cone analogy, at least a solid deer vitals hit.
BTW, I am hunting off the ground about 90% of the time.  I imagine that if I had treestand located in those hotspots I may be able to get off an unrushed shot better.?

[Terry Green]

OK..outside interference misses are accounted for...limp tip, and hitting a small branch.

So from what I gather, the rest of the shots were over their back....and I bet the windage was correct?

If so, I think you are simply seeing the whole animal and NOT picking a spot. Yes, that simple but that difficult.  I did the same thing when I switched back to Trad Years ago....I missed a bunch of deer and hogs, but could hammer squirrels at will.  

Yes, you need to keep practicing, but this is only going to get solved in the field by shooting at live game.  It almost sounds like that you 'shoot now cause you are afraid they are going to get away' and you are NOT shooting YOUR shot, but a rushed panic shot.

Also, your swing draw timing may be off in front of big game due to the above.

So, based on those two things that I think may be your problem, I think you just need to take a deep breath, and not rush your shot.....and pick a spot and settle in on it.  

Like I said, easy to say, but hard to do....but it will come and it will be magical....just keep at it.

[Big'n]

Thanks Terry, I needed to hear that. I've been having the same problem as Chris, this year. Dave

[Terry Green]

No worries Big'n....just what I read from what he wrote....someone else might read something different, but that's my take.

[ChristopherO]

Yep, you nailed it.
I've read the Panic post that has been revised from October and it very much aludes to what I am experiencing.  
Pick a spot, don't worry if they bust me or not, pick a spot, focus and shoot.

I'll keep trying.
Thanks

[Terry Green]

OK...now get out there and getcha one this weekend!  

[Pruneemac]

This is exactly why we started playing Speed Archery! Shooting targets lacks the "panic" associated with hunting. Game doesnt stand around and wait for you to get everything just right. You have to recognize the animal, shot angle and distance in an instant. This is why we pair up, nock and arrow and say go! we have 4 seconds to shoot. First to hit a scorable area gets an additional 1/2 point, added to the target score.

This will really help you in making shoot, no shoot decisions. It helped us get 4 mule deer bucks in August from 42-73 yds.