preparing for the moment of truth

[Hattrick]

I read a article the other day an these guys were talking about how they prepare there selfs for crunch time , they talked about Zen, yoga, visualization an stuff like that to prepare mentally. AN it seem like they rarely blew shots on game an more impressive on mature bucks.So i thought i would lay it out here an see what you guys have to say or do. This should be neat

[Stew]

Interesting. I found drawing on every deer I can and visualizing the shot a great help. No matter if I shoot or let them walk. As soon as I see a deer I focus on a spot. When I feel comfortable with drawing I see what movement I can get away with and not get busted. Hit anchor and see the arrow flight and impact in my minds eye. Now, when I do loose an arrow, I find myself alway's focused on a spot and not looking at the whole animal. Over the years, its been a great learning experience.

[Doc Nock]

Barry,

This is something I puzzle over constantly.

I'm leaning more these past year to believe confidence for the moment of truth is more about experience... when I was actually hunting where I saw deer and had shot opportunities, I took shots and made good kills. That created confidence and I did better in subsequent years.

Success bred confidence. Hard work and regular practice kept that recent success burned into my sub-conscious.

Due to economic factors, I ended up having to hunt less reliable places, saw few deer, had almost no shot opportunities and now, I again find in the cluth, I question my ability unless it's a slam dunk close shot.

That and the latest place I hunted with good opportunities, is small and bordered by a property where we couldn't retrieve shot deer...and that played badly in the back of my mind, causing me to hesitate...but it was good seeing deer again!  

I would think all the pre-visualization stuff like the sports guys do has to help...but from where I am personally, I'm also thinking there has to be "successes" that are fresh in one's mind to help conjur up those images in a believable way.

I only got to one 3D camp out and shoot this year and that really hurt too...making all those shots under tough conditions at shoots, with guys bantering and pestering, always helped build confidence for the real thing.

Experience: That seems to be my confidence builder for the moment of truth.

[Hattrick]

i`m with you on that, i guess what i`m asking or what the article was referring to  was next leave of confidence couple of the people they keep referring to was Roger Rothaar, Joe Subolesfsky an Paul Shaffer  being able capitalize when presented with opportunities an closing the deal at a almost unbelievable presentage. Word has it the BIG MAN is just as good. I no athletes do sum of this stuff its really a head game

[Mark Trego]

Don't think just react, the thinkin was done while learning to shoot.