When does the fever hit you? (Buck fever)

[SaskHunter]

I never get "out of control" but definitely get excited and the shakes before a bow shot.

 

[adoc65]

I used to shake like a dog pooping a peach seed. The older I get, the better it’s getting. I didn’t hunt this past year, but I’m ready to go this year.

 

[Stocker]

Mostly after. If I get a long drawn out encounter where I know I’m gonna shoot but it’s gonna take a while sometimes I’ll get a little fever during the shot but I’m usually cognizant of it and get it under control:


After the shot if I’m in a treestand I absolutely have to sit down or after the adrenaline dump I might fall. I’ve had a quick bout of the shakes a couple times. Seems to be when I know it was a good shot and the animal is 100% down, if I think there’s a chance that there is a possibility of a follow up shot or something like that I usually stay under control.

 

[ccc23454]

The worst is after the shot when your already freezing cold and then you get the adrenaline shakes.

 

[Bowhuntrben]

Sadly, I don't feel like I get it that often anymore.

The times I do tend to get it the most now are if I am actually wanting to shoot a doe. It isn't very often when I want to shoot one, so when I actually do, I tend to get pretty excited before the shot and can shake. Big bucks for some reason don't get me as excited as this scenario.

Having my boys with me has changed things a bit. This year with them with me, I feel I may have rushed my shot on a good buck. Ended up OK, but could've done things differently. Didn't get shaking before the shot, just maybe not the same decision I would've made if I were alone.
After the shot, however, I was shaking uncontrollably for a while. It was my fifth year of trying to get a buck with the boys with me, so it was pretty exciting to finally have it come together.

When I'm by myself, it's not nearly as exciting. If I do shake, it will most likely be after the shot. I'd say most of the time, things happen so fast, that I don't have time to shake before the shot.

I wish I could bring back the excitement and shakes from my earlier years.

My oldest son will be starting "real hunting" this year, so I have a feeling I might do some shaking in excitement while watching one come in for him to shoot.

 

[Nuts]

The worst is after the shot when your already freezing cold and then you get the adrenaline shakes.

100%. If in a climber trying to pack up, climb down and pack up becomes highly difficult when fingers and coordination no longer works. I look like a caveman with webbed hands trying to use a beaner or zipper for the 1st time.

 

[Lou2025!]

Being in LE shooting and excitement has been a huge mental control thing both prior and as important right after a shot. Now let’s talk about excitement leading up to anyone one my hunts, hunted when was young and didn’t start again till 2016 at age 59, and let me tell you I don’t act like I’m 69 when I leading up to archery or a rifle hunt deer, elk or especially turkey hunts. I walk around during hikes or driving alone in my truck for months with mouth calls elk or turkey calls practicing. And when it’s the night before a hunt I’m like a 12 year old on fire with a fever. As mentioned if I didn’t get excited I’d be doing something else.

 

[Hams42]

Sadly, I don't feel like I get it that often anymore.

The times I do tend to get it the most now are if I am actually wanting to shoot a doe. It isn't very often when I want to shoot one, so when I actually do, I tend to get pretty excited before the shot and can shake. Big bucks for some reason don't get me as excited as this scenario.

I feel very similar to this. I'm not sure what happens with does but sometimes I can't keep it together. This year I had a doe antelope tag and I was locked into a tripod everything was solid. Everything other than the energizer bunny the was housed in my right leg. That thing was shaking like crazy. Fast forward 6 weeks when I shot my Bull Elk I was rock solid.

I have found other than the antelope experience this year, that I shake leading up to getting behind the gun. When I am stalking in or waiting for an animal to stop is when I'm shaking. However as soon as my cheek meets the stock I'm ready to go.

I remember when I was 14 and I shot my first elk. From the moment I saw the herd to when my dad said that both the elk were down I did not stop shaking. That is honestly one of my best hunting memories. I got my first elk and at the age 50 after hunting his whole life my dad got his first bull.

I have to say reading all of these stories has brought a big smile to my face.

 

[Nick87]

All depends, but almost always before. Especially if I watch them for a long time at close range (bowhunting whitetails is where I get it the worst by far).