Back to traditional

[Possum2546]

New to the form, been shooting/hunting with recurves and longbows for 10 years now.

Recently came back to traditional after taking a year break due to some bad target panic, actually have been battling it for years. I seem to have a strange case of TP because sights, triggers and dots “HELP” me stay calm and control my shot, the lack of them sends me to short draw and shoot before I’m almost close to ready city. While on the break and sometime when I was losing the battle I did shoot compound and it helped me regain confidence.

Well as y’all know, compound suck and ain’t no fun!! So I gave it away to a young man that wanted it. I figured I’m either going to beat the TP and shoot the type of bows I like or just quit.

So I got a new (cheap on purpose) longbow, a Cabela’s Fleetwood Frontier 40@28”. I read a lot and watched a lot of videos on TP and got to shooting. I did put a clicker on the bow and it does help, but, it only helps when I commit to using it 100% of time. When I catch myself failing to use it then have to draw, hold on target, expand threw the click then let down 3 times. Seems to be helping me stay in control.

I’m getting to the point that when I complete my shot cycle correctly I’m keeping a 4” group at 15 yards where I want it to go, when I don’t (short draw) they go low out of the group. I suspect that if I keep at it, which I will, and continue to improve I will be hunting with the bow this year.

With all this I have realigned some expectations for my self. Before I started having TP I was very active in the local 3D shoots, I was averaging 8.9 - 9.3 on the 3D range. I was gapping and was in control of my shot. Those days are over for me, at least for now. My #1 goal is deer hunting 20 yards and in. I know it’s not the norm anymore with trad bows but I’m using a sight, really just a dash of paint on the belly of my riser. I’m essentially gapping off of one “pin” if you will. I’m doing this because, for whatever reason, aiming with a sight and not my arrow calms me down, how or why I have no clue but it does and it puts me in the driver seat of a longbow so I’m cool with it. My idea is, I’m going to do what is simple for me.

Along with that idea come my main concern. So in order to have less things to worry about and to keep my gaps as small as possible between 0-20 yards I have been shooting those Carbon Express 2040 arrows with 125 grain points. Total arrow weighs 385 ish. They shoot well and I like them but I know they are light. I put some thick trimmer line (2 strands) in each one and I bumped the weight up to almost 500 grains but the gap between 10 and 20 yards is huge and they drop like crazy. I don’t need to worry about huge gaps and all that right now, I just need to really focus on completing my shot cycle perfectly.

Will a perfectly tuned 385 grain arrow out of a 40# longbow, placed right in the vitals, with a razor sharp BH do the number on deer “well enough to be reliable”? I know it will work but is it a steady choice if used within its limitations by a experienced bowhunter?  I set up my tree stands for 10-15 yard shot and I am disciplined enough to not shoot past 20.

Sorry about the long first post, just been thinking a lot.

Possum2546

[durp]

Doing what works for you is always good just keep at it...check out the 40-45 lb kill thread...it will answer ur question

[dnovo]

I wouldn’t overly concern myself with the arrow weight. Yes they are on the light side but deer are not hard to penetrate. And if you hit bone it won’t matter if the arrows are 150 grains heavier. It still won’t penetrate.
As far as your target panic, I suffered with it for years. I think it got worse from being overbowed but also from the anxiety and pressure I put on myself when I might only get 1 shot a year at a deer. I finally got sick and tired of it and beat it thru sheer stubbornness. I forced myself to anchor and complete the shot. It was very hard st first with some awful double clutching but got easier over time. Now I can completely control the shot. Keep working at it and don’t give up.

[Wudstix]

I have a 3 reference point anchor which helps to consistently get to anchor, then focus on target spot, release and follow through past my ear. 
 

[David Mitchell]

Possum, welcome to TradGang.  I can certainly sympathize with the target panic issues.  I struggled with it for years.  My friend Jim Casto has developed a program to deal with it that works amazingly well.  Jim has sent it to over 600 people at last count and doesn't charge a dime for it.  If you would like to have it just send me your email address and I can forward it to you.  One warning note, though.  It will be hard to force yourself to follow it exactly because you can't actually shoot an arrow until several days into the regimen.  It will help you a bunch if you follow it as written.

[Possum2546]

I appreciate the reply's!

Do any of ya hunt with a clicker?   

[Bowguy67]

Every time I hear about target panic I hear all kind of ideas and attempts. Target panic is a brain problem. You react without wanting to and inappropriately.
If things are over for now great but using a string bow to simply work form, including release in heavy repetition retrains the brain. It’s as simple as that. Bows should never be shot in this situation. Not referring to op, he’s seems ok for now.
Blank baling isn’t going to work, I could go into all of the things but name just one person that blank bales target panic away. Not singling anything out just the example I’m using. String bows include zero issues. No target, no initial aiming, no arrows, nothing. Refrain the brain and it will go away but this takes time and dedication. Practicing target panic by shooting that way is about the worse thing you could do.
If anyone needs help making one or using one ask and I’ll help but if you wanna fix an issue it takes work but it will work

[Deno]

Welcome Possum.    Enjoy that longbow Good Luck   

Deno

[McDave]

I’ve had target panic at least as bad as Possum.  Everyone who has contributed to this thread has pointed in the same direction for a solution.  Jim Casto’s plan worked for me.  His plan is to start with something you can do, and work outward from there.  Jim has you aiming at the spot you want to hit from the first time you draw.  Dnovo worked through it through sheer stubbornness.  Bowguy warns of the futility of blank bailing to solve the problem.  This problem is called target panic for a reason. To think you can solve this without aiming at a target is futile, because the target is the problem, and you can’t solve it in the absence of a target.  To solve this problem, you have to learn to focus on the spot you want to hit, and hold that focus until the arrow hits the target.  This is true whether you’re aiming instinctively or by reference to the point of the arrow.  There are many different ways to learn to do this, and Jim Casto, dnovo, and Bowguy have touched on several of them.

[Bowguy67]

I’ve had target panic at least as bad as Possum.  Everyone who has contributed to this thread has pointed in the same direction for a solution.  Jim Casto’s plan worked for me.  His plan is to start with something you can do, and work outward from there.  Jim has you aiming at the spot you want to hit from the first time you draw.  Dnovo worked through it through sheer stubbornness.  Bowguy warns of the futility of blank bailing to solve the problem.  This problem is called target panic for a reason. To think you can solve this without aiming at a target is futile, because the target is the problem, and you can’t solve it in the absence of a target.  To solve this problem, you have to learn to focus on the spot you want to hit, and hold that focus until the arrow hits the target.  This is true whether you’re aiming instinctively or by reference to the point of the arrow.  There are many different ways to learn to do this, and Jim Casto, dnovo, and Bowguy have touched on several of them.

McDave aiming at a target must come for sure but first you need to reprogram impulses. If you notice Jim Castos program is retraining you’re brain. If someone was to follow Jim’s routine that one will def work as well. He doesn’t have you try n shoot “through” the problem. That’s actually what I’m getting at. Think about how you did it. Simple repetitive baby streps to get towards your goal. His program is good. I will add though you can start not aiming at anything and this is my only difference. Aiming would be another step. I’d reprogram simple impulses than introduce a bow. Jim n I have talked we have very similar thoughts

[David Mitchell]

I agree totally agree with McDave.  Jim's program is the very best I have ever found.  One of the keys , as McDave said, is from the start you are aiming at a spot on a target and letting down.  From 3 feet (yes, feet) there isn't much of an impulse to release.  Get control there and move back a few.  And yes, it is retraining the brain which has to happen. 

[doubleo]

I had the same problems you had and i finally said enough is enough and put a clicker on my bow last year. My shooting has improved tremendously. Getting to full draw shot after shot is definately the key. I shot the highest score ever at our local trad only shoot last month. And i thought i was getting too old.Lol Ive been shooting the same arrows you are for 3d. there at about 410 Gr. For hunting i shoot Easton Axis at about 490 gr. Im shooting a 42# Holm Made longbow. I shot a doe with the clicker last year. You can put tape on it to muffle the sound. Hope this helps and good luck to you!

[Possum2546]

y'all are great, thanks.