Thoughts.....right before the shot??

[Toby]

Do you have any special thoughts, rituals, that you do/say right before pulling the trigger or loosing the arrow? I think that these last few seconds often spell success or failure. At times,I feel like aim in the zone, and that the shot is almost subconscious. This seems to be best for me. But, don't know how I got there. Does anyone have any thing that you do right before that crucial time that you would be willing to share, that helps you close the deal.

[otcWill]

Honestly, I can't remember ever thinking anything before the shot. It seems to just happen and next thing I know, its over, totally subconcious. Autopilot.

[quarbles]

follow through...

[Duck-Slayer]

full freezer.... don't miss....
Matt

[ctdad]

I shot a mule deer that was bedded last year. I did a slow sneak to get into range and then had plenty of time to come to full draw, go through my shooting routine both in my mind and physically and executed the shot. He went 40 yards after the shot.

I shot a whitetail that was cruising during the rut. By the time I saw him, he was close and getting closer. I remember picking up my bow and drawing but not a lot of other thought after that. He went about 70 yards after the shot.

My shot sequence when I practice is the same over and over again to try to train some muscle memory so that when I don't have time to analyze, hopefully I will still do things mostly right....I hope.

[zpd307]

i dont remember much during and after the shot. in the zone....

[Fridaythe13th]

I need a bigger house for this one ha ha
I try to be confident and squeeze the trigger.

[easeup]

before the shot.. and to close the deal...thoughts......

I am so conscious of the wind at this point. It maybe somewhat analogous to the QB watching the game clock and assessing the defense as he is working an audible.
You know the deal, if the wind is right, I've got time to work, wind is unsettled, my mind is saying make your choice now and live with it.

If there is time, I play the game to get the first best shot. Once that trigger of choice has been selected; I step down through those 15 steps of making and executing a good arrow. Most of the time that takes about 4 seconds maybe longer to draw and go through the checklist. But that portion of shooting the arrow is not a totally subconscious act. Now, the termination of the process is the focus on a single spot and the slowing of the mind to nothing but that one thing and then suddenly you realize the arrow has been released.

[Toby]

before the shot.. and to close the deal...thoughts......

I am so conscious of the wind at this point. It maybe somewhat analogous to the QB watching the game clock and assessing the defense as he is working an audible.
You know the deal, if the wind is right, I've got time to work, wind is unsettled, my mind is saying make your choice now and live with it.

If there is time, I play the game to get the first best shot. Once that trigger of choice has been selected; I step down through those 15 steps of making and executing a good arrow. Most of the time that takes about 4 seconds maybe longer to draw and go through the checklist. But that portion of shooting the arrow is not a totally subconscious act. Now, the termination of the process is the focus on a single spot and the slowing of the mind to nothing but that one thing and then suddenly you realize the arrow has been released.

Easeup, I like your thought on "the slowing of the mind". That's a good simple reminder to calm the nerves and to get focused on "that one thing". Good stuff.

[Indian Summer]

"Dang.. we shoulda brought some mushrooms and onions!"

[LckyTylr]

Follow Through . . . Squeeze . . . Follow Through . . . Squeeze . . . Follow Through . . . Squeeze . . .

[WapitiTalk1]

"Dang.. we shoulda brought some mushrooms and onions!"

Nice . Last/final thought for me? I do the same thing I do when I practice. "Watch" the arrow fly and hit the spot thru my peep (as long as possible). Keeps me from jerking one way or another at the moment I touch the trigger. Just something I do.

[Lefty]

One time I remember thinking , "this is bigger than anything my father-in law has ever shot" ( with a rifle)
another time I thought" dead bull, Im rock solid"
another "bottom pin, bottom pin, "

[elk-n-walleye]

yeah, before I release or pull the trigger I think "don't screw this up." That is always one of my last thoughts because I'm aware I have a natural tendency to anticipate a kick from my rifle. This problem dates back to when I shot my dad's rifle at a prairie dog for the first time when I was 8 or 9. That shot did a number on my head both physically and mentally. But since I'm aware of the issue it has helped me to calm myself prior to taking a shot in addition to preventing me from taking a poor shot.

Having that thought always reminds me to take my time and do it right.

[Swede]

I coach myself through every aspect of the shot from posture, drawing, to aiming and follow through. A big part is ensuring I am looking through the peep and have the correct pin on the exact spot I want the arrow to land. If I have done everything correct, I should see the arrow enter very near where I intended it to go. I think by concentrating on executing the shot, I do not have any time to get nervous.

[elk-n-walleye]

Nice . Last/final thought for me? I do the same thing I do when I practice. "Watch" the arrow fly and hit the spot thru my peep (as long as possible). Keeps me from jerking one way or another at the moment I touch the trigger. Just something I do.

I need to work on training my eyes to follow the arrow's flight. I have the same problem following a golf ball off the tee. About 1/2 the time I lose sight of it during flight but I have my friend there that can follow it the whole time.

[pd]

"Dang.. we shoulda brought some mushrooms and onions!"

I ALWAYS bring onions, flour, oil, and potatoes.

Always.

[ishy]

Just zoned out looking for the first good shot. Everything else is gone once I decide it's a legal animal in shooting distance.

[Indian Summer]

Actually I do nothing but focus on the spot on the spot like there's nothing else in the world. My thoughts are... keep looking at that spot until the arrow is actually in it. Follow through is HUGE. Not following through has lead to many a low hit by "peeking" over the arrow.

[navet]

When yall say follow thru, do you mean not letting your bow arm drop?...hijack over.

[Trumkin the Dwarf]

Sometimes autopilot kicks in, which is nice. If not, it goes "Anchor. Kill spot. Squeeeeeeeze." (reference to an increase in back tension by pulling the shoulder blades together, I don't need no stinkin release. ) At some point in that last step, the back of the broadhead touches my knuckle and the arrow is away. I love traditional archery!

Edit: I do believe that is the general meaning of follow through.

[Wyo67]

"I've got this..." Once drawn back, focus and FOLLOW THROUGH.

[Trophyhill]

No ritual for me. Draw, aim and pull thru the shot. Auto pilot. It's like being in "the elkzone"

[timberland]

HOLY CRAP, I'M GONNA GET A SHOT!!! Everything else is on auto.

[stringunner]

Focusing the pin on the spot I want it to hit. Other than that I don't recall having any vivid thoughts

[Elkduds]

My awareness funnels from the overall situation down to the exact target. When I first get on game, I am aware of the setting, animal movement, wind, range, cover, yada, yada. I make a lot of decisions and act on them. As a shot opportunity emerges, my focus gradually zooms in to one specific animal, shooting lane, vitals, and an image of where on the animal I want the exit wound to be, like the red Xs in the photo posts here. When that is all just right, the shot happens, often without me knowing it.

Unless there isn't time for all that.

[jrnorton4]

I coach myself through every aspect of the shot from posture, drawing, to aiming and follow through. A big part is ensuring I am looking through the peep and have the correct pin on the exact spot I want the arrow to land. If I have done everything correct, I should see the arrow enter very near where I intended it to go. I think by concentrating on executing the shot, I do not have any time to get nervous.

I've been trying to shoot at least evey other day since February, with the exception of the last 2 weeks (been sick and had a root canal). I'm still fighting an old case of target panic that I initially got over by going all traditional. Now, picking the compound back up, I have developed a 6 step sequence:

1- Finger on release trigger (for some reason, I was forgetting this until I had done everything else, so now its number 1)
2- Lift bow into position, target in sight ring
3- Draw and Anchor
4- Level the bow
5- Sight pin where it needs to be (still having to make myself hold longer here, target panic alot better now than when I started back)
6- Squeeze and hold

I am shooting a bunch and really hoping that this doesn't go out the window and I turn to jello if I get a shot. Any suggestions, I am open...

[Wyo67]

I've been trying to shoot at least evey other day since February, with the exception of the last 2 weeks (been sick and had a root canal). I'm still fighting an old case of target panic that I initially got over by going all traditional. Now, picking the compound back up, I have developed a 6 step sequence:

1- Finger on release trigger (for some reason, I was forgetting this until I had done everything else, so now its number 1)
2- Lift bow into position, target in sight ring
3- Draw and Anchor
4- Level the bow
5- Sight pin where it needs to be (still having to make myself hold longer here, target panic alot better now than when I started back)
6- Squeeze and hold

I am shooting a bunch and really hoping that this doesn't go out the window and I turn to jello if I get a shot. Any suggestions, I am open...

Not sure what kind of release you have, but I keep my trigger finger off the release mechanism until I am on the target (#5 in your list). In the heat of the moment, I don't want the bow to go off prematurely...

[elkmtngear]

Focus, breathe, release right there!

[Toby]

I coach myself through every aspect of the shot from posture, drawing, to aiming and follow through. A big part is ensuring I am looking through the peep and have the correct pin on the exact spot I want the arrow to land. If I have done everything correct, I should see the arrow enter very near where I intended it to go. I think by concentrating on executing the shot, I do not have any time to get nervous.

I've been trying to shoot at least evey other day since February, with the exception of the last 2 weeks (been sick and had a root canal). I'm still fighting an old case of target panic that I initially got over by going all traditional. Now, picking the compound back up, I have developed a 6 step sequence:

1- Finger on release trigger (for some reason, I was forgetting this until I had done everything else, so now its number 1)
2- Lift bow into position, target in sight ring
3- Draw and Anchor
4- Level the bow
5- Sight pin where it needs to be (still having to make myself hold longer here, target panic alot better now than when I started back)
6- Squeeze and hold

I am shooting a bunch and really hoping that this doesn't go out the window and I turn to jello if I get a shot. Any suggestions, I am open...

Jr, I have been down that path as well, TP, went trad, loved it,but TP got even worse, so back to a compound. Now I have a simplifiedhrough sequence.

1. Level---draw, set bow level, posture(pre-back tension)
2. Center--- get peep centered around sight scope, set finger on trigger
3. Push/pull --- I push the pin at the target, never think aim, TP will ruin it
4. Follow through--- watch the arrow all the way to the target

Keeping a simple shot sequence is helping me fight through TP.

[zpd307]

I've been trying to shoot at least evey other day since February, with the exception of the last 2 weeks (been sick and had a root canal). I'm still fighting an old case of target panic that I initially got over by going all traditional. Now, picking the compound back up, I have developed a 6 step sequence:

1- Finger on release trigger (for some reason, I was forgetting this until I had done everything else, so now its number 1)
2- Lift bow into position, target in sight ring
3- Draw and Anchor
4- Level the bow
5- Sight pin where it needs to be (still having to make myself hold longer here, target panic alot better now than when I started back)
6- Squeeze and hold

I am shooting a bunch and really hoping that this doesn't go out the window and I turn to jello if I get a shot. Any suggestions, I am open...

Not sure what kind of release you have, but I keep my trigger finger off the release mechanism until I am on the target (#5 in your list). In the heat of the moment, I don't want the bow to go off prematurely...

premature arrow evacuation.....

[Trophyhill]

I've been trying to shoot at least evey other day since February, with the exception of the last 2 weeks (been sick and had a root canal). I'm still fighting an old case of target panic that I initially got over by going all traditional. Now, picking the compound back up, I have developed a 6 step sequence:

1- Finger on release trigger (for some reason, I was forgetting this until I had done everything else, so now its number 1)
2- Lift bow into position, target in sight ring
3- Draw and Anchor
4- Level the bow
5- Sight pin where it needs to be (still having to make myself hold longer here, target panic alot better now than when I started back)
6- Squeeze and hold

I am shooting a bunch and really hoping that this doesn't go out the window and I turn to jello if I get a shot. Any suggestions, I am open...

Not sure what kind of release you have, but I keep my trigger finger off the release mechanism until I am on the target (#5 in your list). In the heat of the moment, I don't want the bow to go off prematurely...

premature arrow evacuation.....

Lmao

[jrnorton4]

I've been trying to shoot at least evey other day since February, with the exception of the last 2 weeks (been sick and had a root canal). I'm still fighting an old case of target panic that I initially got over by going all traditional. Now, picking the compound back up, I have developed a 6 step sequence:

1- Finger on release trigger (for some reason, I was forgetting this until I had done everything else, so now its number 1)
2- Lift bow into position, target in sight ring
3- Draw and Anchor
4- Level the bow
5- Sight pin where it needs to be (still having to make myself hold longer here, target panic alot better now than when I started back)
6- Squeeze and hold

I am shooting a bunch and really hoping that this doesn't go out the window and I turn to jello if I get a shot. Any suggestions, I am open...

Not sure what kind of release you have, but I keep my trigger finger off the release mechanism until I am on the target (#5 in your list). In the heat of the moment, I don't want the bow to go off prematurely...

premature arrow evacuation.....

Thats not funny to some of us... Target panic is a real problem, and you shouldn't make fun of us. HAHAHA
Toby, thanks for the sequence, I am going to try it. I don't know if I will remember 6 steps with hot elk snot flying 30 yards away, but I may remember 4...

[Toby]

Jr, to help with my TP I follow this sequence shooting up close and not sighting at a target, just blank bale. When I back up to practice I follow the same sequence. If I feel a little TP creeping in, I move right back up close and blind bale again. I usually end my practice session with a few blind bale shots following this sequence. TP is nasty, this has helped me more than anything. Good luck.
Toby

[Screaming_btf]

I focus on where I want to hit, breathing, squeezing (not pulling) and remind myself to try and watch where I hit and track the animal after the shot. I don't think about the mechanics of my shot before the kill that was all drilled in by practice.

[one_elk]

pick a very small spot, relax and follow through