peteski Posted October 3, 2007 Report Share Posted October 3, 2007 The other night I was sitting in a new stand and had a huge bodied buck came into an apple tree. Needless to say I was pumped. After 15 minutes or so he finally came into the open and I couldn't get my bow drawn back so I tried again and failed a second time! When I finally got it drawn it was too late, no shot. This is the third time over the years this has happened to me and the second buck it has cost me. My bow pulls 62 pounds and never have aproblem any other time. I'm no weakling and shoot year round. So my question is ..Has this ever happend to you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildthing Posted October 3, 2007 Report Share Posted October 3, 2007 hmmm??? never happened to me...I am wondering how this is possible? Are you focused on the shot? Every so often when I am in the tree, I grab my bow and draw...from both the sitting and standing position. It helps to keep the blood flowing and muscles loose. If you are not drawing your bow from time to time while on stand...try it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted October 3, 2007 Report Share Posted October 3, 2007 Only reason ever I could not get my bow drawn from a treestand was due to an awkward angle or not being able to get turned quite right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoosierbuck Posted October 3, 2007 Report Share Posted October 3, 2007 YES, and it's usually due to a change in your form. You still have to draw like you always do, if that means aiming level to as you draw and then bending at the waist to get on target, then that is what you have to do. You can't aim at the deer and try to draw up to your face when you are in a tree, the angles are all wrong then, and you have no power. Been there, done that. Think of it in two parts, draw first, then aim. Either that, or God stopped you from killing that little dink because he is sending a Booner your way... Better luck next time. HB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest NDWoods Posted October 3, 2007 Report Share Posted October 3, 2007 Target panic!? Yes , it has happened to me. I feel that the most logical cause is known as "BBBBBuck Fever". The simple truth is that no amount of practice can cure it. Think about it. How many times has that bag, block or 3D target ever made your knees rattle and palms sweat? My Bear bow is set at 62 pounds and is no trouble for me to draw, usually. However, when you add a deer to the equation, the combination of anxiety and trying to draw slowly and quietly seem to magically increase the draw weight. What I try to do is wait until the deer is ditracted or hidden behind a tree or brush, close my eyes, and simultaneously inhale and draw. This seems to help, but quite frankly if anything can cure "the fever" , I'll pass. Shoot straight and stay N D Woods Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beagleboy Posted October 3, 2007 Report Share Posted October 3, 2007 It happened to me several years back. I just got up in my stand when I saw a nice 10 ptr with his nose to the ground. I started to get pumped as he was coming my way. He went around me and I thought he was gone when I let out a few grunt calls. He turned on a dime and stated coming around again. When he got to about 25 yds I drew back knowing the shot was coming up and he stopped right under a tree and I had no shot. He stayed there and not moved for what seemed forever and I had to let down because I was shooting a bow with 65% let off and I couldn't hold it any longer and I let down. As I let down, the buck started walking again right under the stand. I went to draw and I just couldn't. I could not believe that this buck was walking under my stand and there was nothing I could do. Granted, I tried to pull back but I couldn't. Buck fever claimed another hunter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dartonman Posted October 3, 2007 Report Share Posted October 3, 2007 When the critter is as big as you describe, I close my eyes, and draw the bow, then focus on a spot, and shoot.....but keeping ready and mentally playing the game is a huge part of bowhunting.....picture a small doe or gopher your aiming on...quit looking at the antlers...this helps me tremendously.....focus on ribs, nothing else matters.....well, at least not at that point and time....shake after the shot...when it stops effecting you...give up bowhunting...good luck, try a few mental games, like closing your eyes for a moment to focus before you pull the bow back...........be safe, pick a spot and make the shot...kudos for not taking a poor shot..........al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingfisherfd2 Posted October 3, 2007 Report Share Posted October 3, 2007 I pull 68# on my bow. I have shot it at that weight the entire time that I have had it. The week before opening day I was away from home and didn't get to shoot. I shot maybe 10 shots in the couple days right before season. I had the deer I shot walking in and I went to draw back and couldn't. He put is head down and I went to draw again, and couldn't. At that point I said. Take a breath, Pointed my bow down and took a breath and drew that thing back and pushed forward on my bow and felt that satisfying roll into the let off. All that was left to do was settle my anchor points and aim for the kill. I think that it really comes down to getting buck fever and telling yourself to remember your mechanics. Part of having the buck fever is that you start taking short fast breaths. Consciously telling yourself to slow your breathing will allow you to concentrate on calming down at the moment of truth. It helped me. phil He will be back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randy Posted October 3, 2007 Report Share Posted October 3, 2007 Sounds like buck fever! It's happened to many a hunter!! It gets even worse when you're cold! There's a lot of good advice in the above responses, keep you're chin up and get him next time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peteski Posted October 3, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 3, 2007 You guys are hitting the proverbial nail on the head. It is a combiniation of buck fever and bad mechanics. I was aiming and drawing athe same time. The good thing is that I did not spook him and hopefully I'll get another crack at him. I have next week off and should be able to spend most nights in that stand. I didn't mention there was another buck that started coming in the orchard but when the big boy showed up he backed off. I'll let you guys know how things turn out next week, but that night alone was worth the price of licenses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dosse Posted October 3, 2007 Report Share Posted October 3, 2007 I have never had it happen, i have had some bad shakes before but now im able to draw and pick a spot and let it go, but man i go to pieces after the shot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowtech_archer07 Posted October 3, 2007 Report Share Posted October 3, 2007 I have had it happen before, usually it is from cold or an awkward angle trying to draw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
okiedog Posted October 3, 2007 Report Share Posted October 3, 2007 Happened to me on the 1st deer I ever saw when I started bowhunting. I was shaking soooo bad:D. I tried to pull the bow back 2 or 3 times, and couldn't:confused:. I did end up shooting that deer and it was my first bow kill. I remember my teeth were chattering pretty bad too:D:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest antlerhead Posted October 4, 2007 Report Share Posted October 4, 2007 Never Had That Problem. Usually Im So Excited I Dont Even Notice The Weight Of The Bow As I Draw It. I Just Concentrate On The Task At Hand. Making A Good Shot, Anchoring In The Same Spot, Making Sure I Have The Range Figured Right, And Picking The Spot To Take Him. For What Its Worth Hope It Never Happens To You Again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griz Posted October 4, 2007 Report Share Posted October 4, 2007 Yep... It's called Buck Fever... Cold weather will do that to you to and having your bow cranked up to high... And yes it has happened to me a couple of times... I tell everyone that I teach, that once they see that it's a big shooter. Quit looking at his horns and pick a spot. A big body buck like that can really get a guy pumped and can play with your mind... Good Luck to ya... Hope to see some pics of you holding that buck... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bow_hunter101 Posted October 4, 2007 Report Share Posted October 4, 2007 Sounds like a case of buck fever! J/k If you shoot year round and are comfortable shooting, the only thing I would recommend is maybe dropping the poundage to about 60. Any little bit helps when your sitting in a tree and a buck walks in! Also practice shooting in the conditions you hunt. For example, when you practice, try wearing your hunting clothes and shooting sitting down. Or if you hunt in a treestand practice from an elevated postion if possible. Anything you can do to recreate your hunting situation when practicing will greatly help your chances when that deer walks in! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichiganHunter Posted October 4, 2007 Report Share Posted October 4, 2007 Ya i've had that happen especally cold days....when u get up into your stand get in your shooting position and draw your bow a couple of times, and after a couple of hours if you start getting that comfortable sleepy feeling draw your bow a couple more times just to make sure your still flexable that lactic acid builds up even from walking in and your muscles get stiff and dont want to work as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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