Confidence at the shot

[J.W.]

Have any of you noticed that you are much more proficient with trad gear than you were with a compound? I've noticed that I would always freak out when shooting at game with a compound. I'd use the wrong, get tunnel vision, etc. With a recurve I just know when its a good shot and when it ain't. Plus, I have all the confidence in the world that when I shoot at something, its taking an arrow. Not saying I've never missed, that happens to everybody, but I'm much more confident and relaxed. Alot of people think that we are crippling ourselves by using traditional bow. This just isn't the case with me. I'm a much more proficient game shot than I ever was with wheels. Switched to trad gear 5 seasons ago. Best hunting decision I've ever made.

[lpcjon2]

I feel that you apply a lot more attention to how you shoot and your focus must be on. If you shoot instinctively you condition yourself to memory for form and focus.With the other bow type you just line it up and let lose.not much body memory or mind focus involved.Trad is whole body and mind coming together and it is natural.

[J.W.]

I agree with that lpcjon2. I've always thought that when I "zone in" so hard, it actually helps with a trad bow. I'm only worried about shooting that animal and not how far is it, what pin do I use, is my release on right, can I see thru the peep or any of the other crap you have to worry about with a wheel bow.

[buckeye_hunter]

I'm still fighting with confidence, but I hope to get where you are. The release always seems to feel wrong for me somehow. Even after years of shooting. I am switching to 3 under to see if it helps. I honestly hope to get to a point where I don't feel handicapped on my release.

Shoot straight and good hunting!

[greyghost]

Only tried a compound twice at targets, so can't really give a comparative on that.

But I believe that confidence or attitude knowing that one can make that shot is a major factor in making it.

Buckeye, it seems you are close. Do you have anyone that can watch you shot and give any feed back?

I know when I get shooting hick-ups I go to one of two people and the matter is corrected in no time. Weather it be release, form or whatever.

Earl

[lpcjon2]

Buckeye, I had that problem once and went back to the basics.I only focused on anchor, and having my pinky and thumb touching each other and would stand in front of the target and close my eyes and just feel the anchor and release. Oh and I never hold the release for longer than 2 second, soon as I hit anchor I let go.body alignment and mind take over.If you are married you have confidence! you got her didn't you.Mail order doesn't count on that one.

  The spirituality of the trad gear is why I do it.And it carries over into other areas of your life.      

[J.W.]

Buckeye,
      I'm a 3 under shooter. I tried split finger, but it never felt right to me. Try 3 under, you never know, it may be the change you need. Like lpcjon2, I don't hold at full draw. When I touch solid anchor, the arrows away. If I hold very long, I shoot worse.

greyghost,
        I could knock the center out of a target with a compound, but couldn't hardly hit a deer to save my life. Just the opposite with a recurve. I'm not the best target shot, but I can hit deer right where I'm looking.

[Blaino]

Buckeye,
I know what you mean... I didn't have a clue about how to go about shooting a stick bow when I got my first bow.  So, I did a lot of reading and was trying something new every other day or that’s how it felt.  Then one day I said "this is supposed to be simple, just 2 sticks and a string.  Why am I making this more complex then what it needs to be?"  I started with my hand placement on the bow and found what felt comfortable and that's my grip. Then I said I’m going to draw with my bow up in front of me with a straight arm because that would be less movement when a deer is in front of me. Next, when my "birdie" finger touches the corner of my mouth and the feather tickles my nose I let it go in one motion.
When I made the point to say this is how I shoot and I'm going to stick with this and not worry anything else…. my shooting got a lot better!
I do have to remind myself to get to my nose and other things from time to time but, I'm not going to change my style.
Gez I got a little chatty... I'm not trying to tell you how to shoot. That’s what you gotta figure out.  I'm just suggesting stick with what you find.

[BobCo 1965]

Confidence is a high factor.

It is included in self image. Your self image is always equal to your performance. If you can increase your self image you can actually improve your performance. Your best outcomes will come when three things come into balance, your conscious (what you need to focus on), your sub-conscious (things that happen without thought, most of the shot cycle), and your self image. The balance is slightly different for everyone.

I know it's a lot of Zen stuff. But it is true.

[BTW]

I switched to three under a few years back which helped my confidence tremendously. Visualizing the flight of the arrow before I shoot helps me as well. It took awhile for me to become confident with my recurve, split finger wasn't for me. Three under was the turning point. I think shooting at close range, when accuracy is poor or your release is not what you want, helps me get back on track. I'm definitely more aware of taking just the right shot with trad gear.

[joe ashton]

A man I respect once told me that trad gear is more effective for hunting because you focus on the animal and shoot placement not on the sight pin. Faster to get on target and quiet. He switched not to make hunting more challenging but to improve his success in the field... I've also noticed over the years that the trad guys spend a lot more time in the woods scouting and shooting. Even at 3ds when its over the wheel boys put their bows away and sit around talking about allen wrenches, speed and drop-away rests, while the trad guys shoot and shoot until its too dark to shoot any more and then shoot some more..
Joe

[bigbadjon]

I think the reason trad shooters have more confidence is because they practice more than shooters of other weapons. The more you practice the better you are, the better you are the better you feel.

[BradLantz]

for me its the focus on live animals ... I target shoot well, I stump shoot well, but not having pins/sights when it comes to shooting live?

seems more often than not I gravitate to the line of the back  :(  and shoot over  :(

[TDHunter]

That's because with a coupond your just hoping you used enough lock-tite on all your screws and bolts!!!

And yes we practice more, and so we should

Allan

[Huntschool]

3 under.. look at the target... draw and release... has worked for years... think it and it will happen.

[maineac]

I don't get to see enough game to test my confidence, but I always feel the arrow is going to be where I am looking.  My target and stumping practice has built that, now I just need a deer.

[thewal2]

I think it is funny that the good shots you just release...you never think about it or feel it you just release...most of my misses I remember thinking about it...I hate thinking it screws it all up.  

I like to say in my mind where I want to hit and then draw and shoot...that is my best accuracy when I say it in my mind and then just shoot.

I am not a good golfer, I am not a good bowler...I feel that muscle memory and repeating the same thing over and over is a skill in itself.  I find that "snap shooting" or not thinking while i shoot is the best...the worst thing I can do is aim my arrow!

Tim

[J.W.]

I'm liking all the responses. Like I said earlier, I'm not going to be driving tacks when I practice. I shoot a 6" to 8" group most of the time out to 30 yards. Not very impressive considering its a 3 arrow group, but when it comes to game I can put that first arrow where it needs to go. It was a massive leap of faith to take that first shot at a game animal. I don't think I was ever more relieved to see an arrow hit. After that, my confidence went thru the roof and I've never looked back.

[Follower]

Instictive shooting is much more mental in my opinion so the confidence thing is a double edged sword.  When you have the confidence it boosts your shooting and then your confidence builds and its a positive cycle.  However, if your confidence starts to slip, it can put you in a downward spin where all of a sudden you start to question everything about your shot.  I've been in both places.  Right now I am working hard to get back to the positive place.