Recovering from an awful hunting season

[cbang65]

Hi All,

I’m in need of some advice. This season has been an especially difficult one for me in terms of failure.

Deer season here in Michigan kicked off 10/1, and it’s been a rough go from the start. Opening weekend of bow I missed a doe, the following day made a poor below-my-stand-downward shot on another doe, and was unable to recover both the doe and my arrow.

The following day I got a (what I thought was a good) shot on a nice 8pt, slightly quartering-to at about 20 yards. Tracked him 470 yards on decent blood, eventually he crossed onto a different property and I was unable to track further.

Thinking my fixed blade G5 Montecs may not be creating enough damage, I swapped to a Rage head that I’ve had good success with before. Some weeks later I successfully harvested a small doe. The next day, I missed a 2nd doe broadside at maybe 35 yards.

Frustrated, I hung up the archery equipment and waited for gun season. Yesterday morning I had a 60 yard shot on a doe with my rifled 12 gauge. Missed again. Took the gun to the range, adjusted the scope, and went back out the same evening.

Again, I had an opportunity at a doe at maybe 45-50 yards. Took 2 shots, both with the doe standing still, and missed both times.

Now I’ve been known to have pretty strong buck (or doe) fever. But not so much that I can’t make a clean 50 yard shot on a stationary target.

In seasons past I’ve harvested a total of 5 deer, all with archery equipment, and have only ever lost 1 animal and missed 1 animal in the 7 years prior.

That leaves me at a loss. I know the issue is most certainly user error, and I’ve decided that I am probably done with the season as of now.

But what do I do next? Part of me feels that hunting is a part of my identity, and that I should stay focused and try to improve. Yet another part of me feels that it is irresponsible to continue going out in the field to possibly wound animals and ruin others hunts (I share a permission property with 3 other hunters). That, and obviously failure generally sucks.

Any advice, or similar stories, and how you navigated them would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Ben Lamb]

If it isn't working how it should, the ethical thing to do is move back to practice, practice and more practice. There is absolutely no shame in taking a season to fine tune yourself as a hunter. People get way too wrapped up in the thought that they have to be out all the time. We owe it to the critters we chase and kill to be the best hunter we can be. It absolutely sucks to lose or wound an animal, but it happens. Learn from it and move on, which is precisely what it sounds like you are doing.

There's still a ton of season left between general, muzzy and late antlerless. Take a week or so and get your fundamentals back in line and don't worry about the field until your confidence is back. You got this!

 

[cbang65]

If it isn't working how it should, the ethical thing to do is move back to practice, practice and more practice. There is absolutely no shame in taking a season to fine tune yourself as a hunter. People get way too wrapped up in the thought that they have to be out all the time. We owe it to the critters we chase and kill to be the best hunter we can be. It absolutely sucks to lose or wound an animal, but it happens. Learn from it and move on, which is precisely what it sounds like you are doing.

There's still a ton of season left between general, muzzy and late antlerless. Take a week or so and get your fundamentals back in line and don't worry about the field until your confidence is back. You got this!

Thanks Ben. I’ve been kicking around that idea as well. In truth, I haven’t practiced to the degree that I should with my bow; maybe a dozen shots once or twice a week in the couple months leading up to the season.

Certainly going to change that. We’ll see if my feelings change later on as far as confidence.

 

[rjthehunter]

Practice, practice, practice.

I have a cousin and uncle who aren't good shots. That being said they put no effort into improving. Never stop practicing and trying to improve. I personally make it a high priority to practice and stay confident in my shooting abilities. I don't practice as much as I should, but I typically start shooting in August or late July and shoot through hunting season.

When it comes to rifle hunting, I shoot at least once before going out on a hunt. Usually more than once, but at a minimum, I'll confirm my zero hasn't shifted in travel. Once that has been confirmed, I'll take another shot out to 800 (or as far as the area allows) and make any adjustments to my ballistics if needed.

Wounding an animal is a terrible feeling. I practice to avoid that feeling at all costs. Take time off if needed and practice.

 

[np307]

Practice in all its forms. Squirrel hunting, range time, and dry fire practice. All of it is very important. The squirrel hunting should help you calm yourself before taking a shot. Range time for being able to gauge how you're actually shooting. Dry fire time build muscle memory that doesn't include flinching.

 

[pabearhunter]

You may want to bite the bullet and start using a crossbow ! Than going to the range BEFORE season STARTS !!!

 

[SD_Prairie_Goat]

Sounds like you might be having a pretty bad case of the yips.

I would focus on your fundamentals while shooting. Don't think about the deer but focus on pulling the trigger instead of slapping it, for example. Or focus on the correct follow through for archery.


One thing you can do at the range is sprint back and forth until you're breathing heavy. Try to shoot your bow then and see how you do. That should be as close as you can mimic at the range the effects of buck fever in the field. Do that enough and you should be able to work through it on a real buck.



I've had bad rifle years shooting and it always comes down to me slapping the trigger instead of squeezing. Shooting like a shotgun for pheasant instead of a rifle for deer

 

[jimh406]

Join a bow range and shoot all local 3d tournaments. Fwiw, my Dad missed every deer. I never knew if it was on purpose or not. He killed a lot of people in WWII. My guess is he didn’t want to kill anymore.

 

[Gellar]

Are you sure your broadheads are shooting the same as your practice tips?

Are you positive your shot process is the same for targets and hunting?

Practice, practice, practice with an emphasis on follow through.

 

[howl]

Shooting game isn't the same as shooting targets. Competitive shooting against others AND the clock help, but it's still not the same. Take your bow after small game and varmints.

 

[cbang65]

Sounds like you might be having a pretty bad case of the yips.

I would focus on your fundamentals while shooting. Don't think about the deer but focus on pulling the trigger instead of slapping it, for example. Or focus on the correct follow through for archery.


One thing you can do at the range is sprint back and forth until you're breathing heavy. Try to shoot your bow then and see how you do. That should be as close as you can mimic at the range the effects of buck fever in the field. Do that enough and you should be able to work through it on a real buck.



I've had bad rifle years shooting and it always comes down to me slapping the trigger instead of squeezing. Shooting like a shotgun for pheasant instead of a rifle for deer

I went out and shot my bow this evening, and confirmed that without realizing it. Some target panic and slapping the trigger on my release.

So it’s back to basics I suppose.

As far as the slug gun is concerned, I will probably have some one who knows better than me dial it in. Then again, it could be a great justification to buy a new Michigan-legal .450 or .350…

 

[MNElkNut]

As others have said; practice. Also, Develop a mental checklist for your shot process. Replay it in your mind many times prior to going out. Force yourself to use the process on game. As someone said, hunt squirrels or any other game. You have a good attitude!

 

[SD_Prairie_Goat]

I went out and shot my bow this evening, and confirmed that without realizing it. Some target panic and slapping the trigger on my release.

So it’s back to basics I suppose.

As far as the slug gun is concerned, I will probably have some one who knows better than me dial it in. Then again, it could be a great justification to buy a new Michigan-legal .450 or .350…

Happens to the best of us. Don't sweat over it. I find focusing on a small piece helps me stay focused. Like hand straight back after release or pull rifle trigger straight back not angled. That helps me focus in the otherwise fast pace moment.

Think what you could do that's small to help you focus and stay grounded

 

[Nick87]

ou may want to bite the bullet and start using a crossbow

I think you meant to say pillow.

 

[Nick87]

Thinking my fixed blade G5 Montecs may not be creating enough damage,

I think thats all In your head. If its sharp and flies true and cuts 3/4" or more its creating plenty of damage. I dont buy into the hype of certain broadheads create better blood trails. So much else goes into that. Angle? Pass through? He'll a quarter inch could be a main vein/artery or not. Just pick something your confident with thats the biggest thing imo. Keep practicing and be honest with yourself if your shooting isn't that great while practicing. Good luck, hopefully just a bump in the road.

Ps dont buy a crossbow.

 

[cbang65]

I think thats all In your head. If its sharp and flies true and cuts 3/4" or more its creating plenty of damage. I dont buy into the hype of certain broadheads create better blood trails. So much else goes into that. Angle? Pass through? He'll a quarter inch could be a main vein/artery or not. Just pick something your confident with thats the biggest thing imo. Keep practicing and be honest with yourself if your shooting isn't that great while practicing. Good luck, hopefully just a bump in the road.

Ps dont buy a crossbow.

I’ve only briefly considered it because of how much less exaggerated my buck fever feels holding a rifle vs at full draw… but no, I don’t think I will

 

[2rocky]

Read up on target panic. Bernie Pellerite has a good discussion of it in his book Idiot Proof Archery.

Sounds like you get lots of shooting opportunities during your season. See what you can do to get more game/non-game shooting opportunities in the off season. Pests like pigeons, prarie dogs/groundhogs or squirrels will help desensitize your excitement reaction. Practicing a cold shot every day with your bow then structured practice makes your shot routine second nature, even subconcious.

Just remember, I guy who hits just 30% of the time he steps to the plate makes millions of dollars a year in the major league. You are way ahead of that!