Missin' deer, can't seem to "Pick a Spot!"

[ZachW]

Well what can I say.  Been toying around with my recurve 6 months.  I stump shoot like crazy, even shoot 3d stuff from my ladder stand, which I setup for fun.

So far this season, I've missed 2 deer, both within 10 yards.

I shot OVER her the first time

Tonight was the second attempt and the first shot was OVER, while second shot was UNDER 

I quickly realized though I was coaching myself on my form, I wasn't ACTUALLY picking a spot.  How do I pick a spot on an all tan animal!?  Again, I shoot GREAT in my backyard.  Is this part of the growth? How do ya'll "pick a spot"   

[frassettor]

I always try to picture a tennis ball where I want to hit.

[ed lash]

I understand. Been there. It’s considered blasphemy, but going to a simple sight can turn this problem around.
This is what a lot of the old timers used to do. People are reluctant to do this now. But if you are competent during practice, and fall apart in the field, this can help.

[ZachW]

I always try to picture a tennis ball where I want to hit.

hmmm, this could work!  I may try this

[ZachW]

I understand. Been there. It’s considered blasphemy, but going to a simple sight can turn this problem around.
This is what a lot of the old timers used to do. People are reluctant to do this now. But if you are competent during practice, and fall apart in the field, this can help.

Thanks.  I'd REALLY like to get one instinctively.  I feel like I rushed it, even though I was talking to myself. 

[Stumpkiller]

Get a large piece of blank cardboard and shoot at that.  Try for the center and then other regions.  I like to focus on an imaginary nickel sized spot.

And, next step.  I don't just consider the "spot".  I consider where the arrow will exit and pick a spot INSIDE the deer along that axis. 

[Doc Pain]

You’re probably gonna get a lot of good advice here, but you’re still going to have to sort through it and see what works for you. I’m gonna throw in my two cents worth. If you’ve practiced in your yard or wherever and you feel you have your fundamentals down, then leave those thoughts home when your in the woods. Your focus should just be on where you want the arrow to go. Forget in your conscious mind about things like shot sequence, back tension, release, or any other thing and focus only on your aiming. Let all that other stuff just happen naturally out of repetition.

[Orion]

I'm betting you're rushing your shot and that your form goes to pot at the shot.  I've been at this a long time, and I still sometimes do it.  I think it's the idea that we might not get the shot that causes us to rush it at the first opportunity. Too, in that high intensity moment, the brain often tends to short circuit.  Sometimes folks don't even remember shooting. When it looks like I might get a shot, I tell myself to slow down. I say to myself, "If you get the shot, make it good one.  If not, so be it." It has a calming effect for me, and everything else just falls into place. 

[Arctic Hunter]

Been there. Eventually I just got mad enough to remember to pick a spot before I even draw, much less release.

Read the book “Instinctive Archery Insights” by Jay Kidwell. He talks about carrying a button around when he’s shooting and imagining that’s what he’s shooting at. That might help you.

[McDave]

Sometimes I find that it's a matter of staying with the shot, particularly with high misses.  Sometimes people put an extra little tug downward on the bowstring right as they release the arrow which causes the arrow to angle up.  Other times the bow arm is not as solid as it should be and begins to rise as you expand rather than staying locked on target.  What I mean by staying with the shot is to keep your head still and follow the arrow through your sight window all the way to the target, especially when you're shooting at an animal, which is when you're most likely to lose focus on your spot in the moment before release.  If you get in the habit of watching the arrow through the sight window all the way to the target it will be obvious to you if you do either of the things I mentioned because you will notice the arrow begin to drift off target and can stop the shot.

[ZachW]

Thank you for all of the helpful replies!

I went out this morning to the same stand and took 3 shots elevated at my target.  All 3 were within 2" of each other.  I'm hoping they show tonight, not too many chances with a few weeks left

I'm reading Asbell's material and will pick up Jay Kidwell's book too.  I shoot every day, about 30 arrows.  Have killed many deer with compounds. Thanks again gents

[Terry Green]

Get a large piece of blank cardboard and shoot at that.  Try for the center and then other regions.  I like to focus on an imaginary nickel sized spot.

Yes, this will help I use brown also and replace after every shot. Great to tape to a 3d target also.

Yes, it has to do with grown as well. Start shooting small game if you can.

[Tim Finley]

The human mind cant concentrate on one thing for very long especially under stress I never pick a spot until I draw my bow . If your shooting high from a tree stand you may have to bend slightly at the waist .

[Mikewarren33]

The human mind cant concentrate on one thing for very long especially under stress I never pick a spot until I draw my bow . If your shooting high from a tree stand you may have to bend slightly at the waist .

I agree. If I pick a spot before I draw it doesn't really matter. I have to see the spot once i'm anchored and then my arrow will go there. I tell myself to "re aim" once I'm anchored.

[mnbwhtr]

Orion x 2

[Terry Green]

The human mind cant concentrate on one thing for very long especially under stress I never pick a spot until I draw my bow .

Its  funny how we can been wired so differently.....

I pick a spot before I draw, and my subconscious runs the shot when/if the window of opportunity arises. All the while I'm only thinking  about the spot.

 

[Charlie Lamb]

Doc Pain and Tim Finley both are right on. It's always smart to pay attention to what Terry Green has to say.

[Walt Francis]

Hi Charlie, hope you are doing well.

There are a lot of different methods described above that work for certain individuals.  There is not one method that works for everybody, I tried numerous methods over several years until deciding to make my own.  Below is my method, maybe it will help somebody “Make It Dead”.

Like Terry, I pick a spot when seeing the critter, though the sight picture will change as its body changes positions and angles. My favorite spot is on the off side of the body where in my mind I visualize the arrow exiting.  After 60 years, my shot sequence is ingrained, subconscious, automatic, until reaching full draw, where I anchor in a locked out position. Bone on Bone. If I decide to take the critter, my shot sequence is reengaged by consciously saying “Make It Dead”, which triggers the expansion phase.  The release happens subconsciously during expansion when/if it feels right.  The bow hand does not move until the arrows hits the critter.

That is what works for me, hope some part of it helps. Develop or adopt a killing shot sequence that works for you.

Oh ya, my wife tells me most people’s brains don’t work like mine.  TANSTAAFL

[Arctic Hunter]

One thing that helped me was also to write reminders to myself on masking tape on the back of the bow. All the “pick a spot” reminders never did much for me, as I always forgot about it in the moment.

One that did work for me, and put me in the mindset at the moment of truth was part of a Saxton Pope quote: “his nerves under absolute control”.  Speaking of the difficulty of hunting with a bow. I always liked the full quote, but that part was what I had trouble with early on (and still occasionally do).

[JR Chambers]

Make sure you are coming to full draw each time. Bow speed varies if draw length varies.