can target panic go away on its own?

[shirikahn]

I had not shot a bow for years...and then I went to Cabelas. Shot a production longbow and was fine...is this normal?  When I moved from Alaska to Wa. State some 10 years ago I bad caught a bad case of "super flinch" after an 86 lb compounds tuning block (this was the mid 90's) blew apart at full draw during a 3-D shoot.  Even traditional archery made me flinch a little...any thoughts on if it competition back?  I an looking into a Legend Mountain Bow.

[RedShaft]

i bet if you concentrate more on form and executing a good shot and stay away from worrying about your groups and dont put pressure on yourself. your accuracy will get better and the panic will be a thing of the past! good luck

[moththerlode]

The only cure for target panic is back tension followed by a surprise release. Which is why most compound tournament shooters end up with a back tension type release. Target panic pushed me into one years ago when I used to shoot.
Problem was solved.  Holds true still today shooting longbow minus the release of coarse.

[CLICKERMAN]

Just remember that target panic is natural.  The reason you found success early is because your subconscious has not yet learned the shot sequence and it is not shortcutting it yet.  Eventually the subcon will attempt to make you more efficient by shortcutting what it can, like holding on target.  It is the natural way our mind works.  It is not that target panic went away on its own, the mind just forgot how to be efficient with the shot process.  By efficient I don't mean good!!!!   The prior advice to concentrate on form was good, more specifically, concentration should be placed on shot activation and let the subcon do the aiming for you.  

Good luck

[shirikahn]

Thanks everyone for your insight...I greatly appreciate it

[Green]

I have been plagued by target panic at the last 3 3D shoots I've gone too.  I think it's as much stage fright as anything for some reason.  I fought it off and on most of the day, shooting very well at times, and then at other targets I'd get to anchor and that little guy in my head would scream NOW!....before I was even aimed.  With 5 targets to go I told myself to get to proper anchor and on target, then pull through a count of 3 before allowing the string to slip.  Things improved immediately.....now I just need to fully embed it as a part of my shot routine.  Might be worth a try for someone else as well.