I havent forgot about you guys

[2Blade]

Haven't been on here much in a while but have been prowling the forum checking out the Highlights for 2007 and im really impressed you guys are really laying them down! Congrats to everyone. Yet another hunting season passes and I wasn't in the woods with my recurve or longbow. Still trying to work on my anchoring problem but im starting to get it under control at 10 yards but still having some serious target panic at 20 yards but its starting to come around im getting closer and closer to the corner of my mouth. God willing ill get it fixed so I can chase rabbits in a few weeks or attempt to.

Anyhow you guys should start seeing more of me around here now that deer season is just about over here in NY and im going to start shooting my trad bows a lot more. Again congrats to everyone who took some real nice animals and for those who haven't good luck next year!

[JBiorn]

Let me get this straight---your only interested in traditional archery when the hunting season is off?

 And what exactly wasn't ethical about having your Ferguson longbow that day? I'm just curious is all.

[Tom]

Don't mean to start anything but if a  person doesn't have the confidence to take an animal cleanly with a trad bow then they have my respect for recognizing their limitations and not just flinging arrows.JMHO.

[JBiorn]

I agree completely. Just wondering is all.

[Labs4me]

2Blade:

Been at this a couple decades and have never heard of a target panic issue that couldn't be resolved in short order by using either a lighter weight bow and/or a "Clicker". If you have this under control at ten yards, but are still struggling at twenty yards, it sounds more like a concentration issue.

A lighter bow will help you achieve full draw. But if you are physically capable of comfortably achieving full draw (which it sounds like you are), then the issue isn't bow weight, it's concentration. In this instance- you may find the use of a "Clicker" helpful. If another hunting season has passed you by (i.e. another year?) and the issue still isn't under control, you may want to consider diverging from your current method of practice.

Don't mean to sound like I'm preaching, just trying to help you get past this target panic issue because it sounds as though it's importantant to you. In the meantime, by all means, hunt with whatever gives you the most confidence.

[Stone Knife]

Nick, keep up with the practice and you will gain your form and confidence. Small game hunting is great practice, not only do you get shots at game but you can kill a few stumps along the way. You should try to make it to the Bunny hunt, it's great practice and good fun with some good people. If you work hard I'm sure when bow season rolls back around you will have the confidence to hunt with trad. If you don't that is OK, how you hunt and enjoy the outdoors doesn't matter as long as your having fun doing it. Impress yourself not others, good luck with those bunnies.

[2Blade]

Sorry what I ment was is that my shooting hasnt been anywhere near good for hunting so what I ment by not ethical is that more then likeley I would have made a bad shot or missed the buck that day. I want to make sure im shooting my best before I try to take a shot at a deer or any animal. Thats why im hoping to get the hang of my anchor point so I can try to chase rabbits. Sorry if I upset anyone should have been more clear

[2Blade]

Originally posted by Labs4me:
2Blade:

Been at this a couple decades and have never heard of a target panic issue that couldn't be resolved in short order by using either a lighter weight bow and/or a "Clicker". If you have this under control at ten yards, but are still struggling at twenty yards, it sounds more like a concentration issue.

A lighter bow will help you achieve full draw. But if you are physically capable of comfortably achieving full draw (which it sounds like you are), then the issue isn't bow weight, it's concentration. In this instance- you may find the use of a "Clicker" helpful. If another hunting season has passed you by (i.e. another year?) and the issue still isn't under control, you may want to consider diverging from your current method of practice.

Don't mean to sound like I'm preaching, just trying to help you get past this target panic issue because it sounds as though it's importantant to you. In the meantime, by all means, hunt with whatever gives you the most confidence.

Ive been doing shooting at very close range and ive been closing my eyes and anchoring. I even try to release with my eyes closed. For some reason it feels like my mind is trying to get the shot over with as fast as possible. Id really like to get this under control because I want to realy hunt with a trad bow. I can draw anchor and hold when im not shooting at a target but when im actually trying to shoot I let go before I get to the corner of my mouth.

[Gehrke145]

I had the same thing.  I switch to gapping and it went a way overnight just a thought

[kawika b]

draw first,,, find anchor,,, THEN aim. good to see ya around gain.

[2Blade]

Thanks its good to be back. Im doing better with my longbow then I am my recurve im starting to get my confidence back im really trying to take control. Im telling myself this is my body and my mind I can control it and make a good shot. Its working slowly.

[dragonheart]

Focus on form with your eyse closed.  Do not try to hit a target you are building you subconsious muscle memory.  With your eyes closed feel what it is like to gradually and smoothly draw the bow back to full draw anchoring and transitioning the tension into your back muscles.  Refuse to hold the string.  We do not let go.  We refuse to hold.  relax the back of your hand.  I believe you are anticipating the shot.  Allow the shot to happen.  Draw to your anchor and keep PUSHING your elbow back until you refuse to hold AND loose the string.  Try hooking deeper into the fingers say to the first joint or slightly inside on your middle finger.  Keep at it, you will get there.  PM me if you think I can help you.  

Jeff

[New to Traditional]

Hang in there man.I'm in the same boat as you(oddly enough the very exact same issues).I've had to make the same decision also.I'm still enjoying my time in the woods but...
I'll never quit trad just got to keep at it we'll get there.

[Mallardstacker]

2Blade: if you haven't read this thread already, make sure you do!  

 http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=6;t=001918

I would suggest sending J-Kid a PM.  I think you'll agree after reading page after page of sucess stories!

Hope that helps, even if only a little!

Gaines -"Stacker"

[capt eddie]

Get a 40LB bow and practice at night shooting at a candle or small light.  Shoot 20 arrows in a row than pick up the 55 LB bow and you will see the problem is the bow.

[ishiwannabe]

2Blade, if ya can hit at ten, twenty should be  there too. I had a very similar problem earlier this fall. I was short drawing, and accuracy suffered big time. I finally figured out what I was doing wrong...I wasnt aiming my shoulders, or using back tension.
Come to full draw, and then "flex your shoulders". If you do this and end up drawing another inch, work on it. I also practiced drawing(with back tension), aiming for a full ten seconds, then slowly easing down. I would do this five times and then shoot one arrow.
Disclaimer: I am by no means an expert, just relaying what helped me after numerous hours browsing through the threads. Hope it helps.
And if you are ever down here and want to chase bunnies....look me up.

[2Blade]

I actually have something that Jay wrote and he gives some drill. It really has helped me. Yesterday I was releaseing even when I wasn't aiming at a target I was looking off to the side to see if I could hold it back but I couldn't. Last night I read his drills a few times then practices them for an hour and a half and now im actually holding when I draw on a target. Im still not cured but I drew 12 times then released 2 arrows. Im going to do these drills for a few more days then try to actually shoot a round. My rabbit hunt may just happen. If I have anymore problems I will deffently PM him I just hope it keeps working

[Labs4me]

Capt Eddie Nailed. Most people wrongly believe they are sufferring from a "target panic" issue when in fact, they are simply overbowed. Hand 'em a lighter bow and their "target panic" miraculously disappears. Hmmmmm??? Give 'em their heavier bow back and the target mysteriously reappears. Hmmmm???

[Gene Roberts]

Welcome back to our  

[2Blade]

I have a 20lb Hoyt Scout recurve that I can shoot all day long. I was still having problems with my 45lb Howatt and Red Wing Hunter.

It really is nice to get the full effect of my longbow feels good to reach ful draw for once in a long time.