Born4it Posted November 14, 2007 Report Share Posted November 14, 2007 Ok...I have target panic, and for those of you who are unfamiliar with it, it's basically me getting anxious and pulling the trigger too soon without being steady on my target. When I was growing up (I'm 21) and until now, I've been very good at target archery and overall shooting whether it be target or hunting situations. This particular case is with guns. If I don't think about it, I'm fine, but if I do, I can't control it. It might sound really dumb, and I feel really dumb, but I know that other people do this too. It's never happened when hunting, just practice, but I get nervous that it will happen when I have Mr. Big in front of me! I was wanting any helpful hints, advice, or practice/training strategies anyone could offer! Thanks so much, Ryan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bowhunter56 Posted November 14, 2007 Report Share Posted November 14, 2007 If i had the answer, i would be rich..I also have the problem, and have talked to many, read books, my suggestion is focus on concentration, you can do a search on targic panic, there are alot of sites that deal with it, wish i could help more, i am still looking for the answer my self.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camoman1 Posted November 14, 2007 Report Share Posted November 14, 2007 Here's something you could try...its kinda what i used to help me get over my Target Panic with my bow..modified for guns. I nock an arrow, draw back, hold on the target but never release the arrow. I would do that as many times as i could....never firing an arrow, i would have my finger on the release trigger though. So i guess you could go to the range and just hold your scope (im assuming your using a rifle?) on the target but not fire. Or get some 'snap caps' which are fake ammo shells that allow you to dry fire your gun without wrecking the firing pin and pull the trigger on those while you "practice'. Good luck TP is hard to beat, but it can be done. Stick with it!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebeilgard Posted November 14, 2007 Report Share Posted November 14, 2007 problem is, you're a whimp. like me. and lots & lots of othere. there is a big recoil coming, and you know it. forget it. think happy thoughts. controll your breathing. keep the gun tight on your shoulder, and squeeze easy. i used to shoot on a 1000 meter team, and it can be done offhand. just forget the pain that will come to you. no majic answer, and it does not get any easier. it hurts. so, lighten up and shoot straight! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Born4it Posted November 14, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 14, 2007 Just to clear things up, and for whoever moved this to the bowhunting page...It's not archery I'm having a hard time with, it's with my shotgun and muzzleloader (Illinois). Keep the responses coming no matter what page it's under though! I appreciate it! Ryan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southerngirl Posted November 14, 2007 Report Share Posted November 14, 2007 get a revolver and load 2 skip 1 load 1 skip 2, don't look and spin it and close it. That way you never know if your on a round or not. It helps but it drives you nuts at first, I've been there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhine16 Posted November 14, 2007 Report Share Posted November 14, 2007 I'll tell you that i have never been able to shoot a gun, and it's not because of the recoil(i cant shoot a .22). I'm not sure what the reason is. I can shoot a bow pretty well i would say. I would even go to the point of saying that i have a better group at 30 yards with a bow than i do at 30 yards with a gun. Here is what i think my problem is, may not be yours. I believe that i know shooting a bow is harder than shooting a gun. Therefore, I give it way more focus. No matter how hard i try, i can not focus on shooting a gun because i know it's simple. This is off subject, but it was the same for me as far as hitting a baseball. I would tee off of someone that through upper 80's, but when i faced someone that through 70ish i couldnt hit the ball with a boat paddle because it was much easier. May not have anything to do with your problem, but it might help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Born4it Posted November 14, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 14, 2007 I love the suggestion about the revolver. I'll probably give that a try! Thanks! Ryan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
earnhardts12000 Posted November 14, 2007 Report Share Posted November 14, 2007 called buck fever we all get it why we go huntin lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will_in_cky25 Posted November 14, 2007 Report Share Posted November 14, 2007 well i go through that same thing while deer and turkey hunting amd something i found that works 10 out of 10 times is to tuck my non shooting elbow into my side which steadies my aim alot, put the cross hairs or iron sights whichever you use on the target, and squeeze the trigger at the top of your inhale or the bottom of your exhale cause thats when body is more relaxed. this might work for you cause it has yet to fail me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted November 14, 2007 Report Share Posted November 14, 2007 Dont know, have not had this problem I dont think. Just a thought, but is it possible your trigger is too light for you if you are pulling it too early? Other than that the suggestion above of squeezing at the bottom of your exhale is good advice. I honestly try not to think about squeezing, I try to stay focused on my target. When I shoot my finger wraps around the trigger and my squeeze is just an easy gentle pressure applied inside the first knuckle. Most often bench rest shooting, and even with hunting, I dont focus on squeezing and really sometimes I dont think squeeze now and I dont even realize I squeezed until after I have shot, I just do and it happens. My concentration is totally on the target and holding steady, squeezing seems to come instinctively when I have the best most solid hold. If you are trying too hard to concentrate on squeezing you may tend to pull your shots more and also put undue pressure on yourself just compounding your problems. I watch my oldest daughter shoot a lot, and I can tell when she is tired of shooting and that is when i stop her. She tends to be less patient and she will pull more so than squeeze and it shows. If you can learn to focus on your target acquisition and on holding steady and not worry about the pull part, think the squeezing the trigger part will follow. Just remember to be patient, focus on the target as you slowly wrap your finger around the trigger and try to focus on holding steady as you squeeze. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southerngirl Posted November 15, 2007 Report Share Posted November 15, 2007 I love the suggestion about the revolver. I'll probably give that a try! Thanks! Ryan it helped me alot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
13littleones Posted November 20, 2007 Report Share Posted November 20, 2007 I had the same problem when shooing my bow when I switched from finger shooting to using a release. I asked the same question on this forum. Answer, shoot, shoot, shoot and keep shooting as much as you can, and before you know it, everything becomes natural, you don't even think about your problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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