Buck fever got me

[Black Titan]

My third day in this spot. Been hunting morning and evening, no sign of deer. Im situated on top of a knob in a ridgeline. Finally this morning about 9:45 I hear a blow off to my 2 o clock down the hill. I had been using my grunt. Just a couple grunts every 30 minutes or so. After I heard the blow, I stood up, gave a soft grunt. All of a sudden I spot movement to my left. At first I thought it was another tree rat. I saw brown at ground level. But it was the head of the deer coming up the hill.

I raised my bow, hooked my release, and the deer came out perfectly broadside, about 15 yards away. I thought it was a doe at first, but it turned its head and I saw it was a spike. I was hyperfocused on a small quarter sized spot behind its front shoulder.

Now, this is only my 5th sit, and 6th hunt. I've never killed a deer.

I could instantly hear my heartbeat going a gazillion miles an hour, and im trembling, ragged breath, telling myself to calm down, and I just stood there froze. I don't think I could have even drawn a 10 pound bow at this point, much less my 70 pound bow.

All over a darn spike. This whole thing felt like an eternity, but I bet it played out in less than 30 seconds. The deer got even closer, looking around frantically. I was happy my grunting actually called one in. He then locked eyes with me and froze, me still sitting there with my bow raised, pointed right at him, not moving a muscle except for the trembling. He threw up the white flag and bounded down the hill towards where I heard the other deer blow, then I heard several more blows right after he disappeared.

So, long story short, I let him walk, decided to give him another year. Lol.

Any tips to get over buck fever? I don't know if my heart has ever raced so fast.

BT

 

[cbhunter]

Love it man! That's what it's all about right there. Wish I still got buck fever! Can't say I've been rattled in many many moons unfortunately and I've killed some great bucks over the years. Probably why I don't have the drive to hunt like I did when I was younger. Maybe if I got back into bow hunting and had a good buck in bow range, it might happen again. Keep with it bud

 

[cbhunter]

And yes, it sounds like you called that buck in on a string

 

[Black Titan]

And yes, it sounds like you called that buck in on a string

I just can't imagine the reaction I would have had if it were a big mature 10 point. Or heck, even a 6 or 8.

BT

 

[Lost Lake]

I still get excited after a lot of years of hunting. If I don't get the occasional buck fever, I'll quit.

Something that might help once you decide to take the shot is to develop a step by step process of raising your weapon, aiming, firing/releasing, and following through. Count the steps in your head as you do them. Make it business like.

After the shot you can go back to shaking and vibrating.

 

[lafn96]

For the most part; I think it's tied to experience. It will likely lessen the more experience you have. With you never having taken a deer before, and then you have one 15 yards from you - it's completely understandable. Don't turn down the chance to take some does, and also try to take some during ML and rifle seasons. Good job getting out there!

 

[themanpcl]

My third day in this spot. Been hunting morning and evening, no sign of deer. Im situated on top of a knob in a ridgeline. Finally this morning about 9:45 I hear a blow off to my 2 o clock down the hill. I had been using my grunt. Just a couple grunts every 30 minutes or so. After I heard the blow, I stood up, gave a soft grunt. All of a sudden I spot movement to my left. At first I thought it was another tree rat. I saw brown at ground level. But it was the head of the deer coming up the hill.

I raised my bow, hooked my release, and the deer came out perfectly broadside, about 15 yards away. I thought it was a doe at first, but it turned its head and I saw it was a spike. I was hyperfocused on a small quarter sized spot behind its front shoulder.

Now, this is only my 5th sit, and 6th hunt. I've never killed a deer.

I could instantly hear my heartbeat going a gazillion miles an hour, and im trembling, ragged breath, telling myself to calm down, and I just stood there froze. I don't think I could have even drawn a 10 pound bow at this point, much less my 70 pound bow.

All over a darn spike. This whole thing felt like an eternity, but I bet it played out in less than 30 seconds. The deer got even closer, looking around frantically. I was happy my grunting actually called one in. He then locked eyes with me and froze, me still sitting there with my bow raised, pointed right at him, not moving a muscle except for the trembling. He threw up the white flag and bounded down the hill towards where I heard the other deer blow, then I heard several more blows right after he disappeared.

So, long story short, I let him walk, decided to give him another year. Lol.

Any tips to get over buck fever? I don't know if my heart has ever raced so fast.

BT

If it ever changes and I don't get that feeling from any deer I am close to shooting, I have finished deer hunting for good....

 

[C1295]

Considering haven't had a shot on a good buck in 3 years I would probably pull a Luke Bryan if I got the chance.... IS HE DOWN.

 

[DCA-DEER]

That's why we do it

 

[DCA-DEER]

Gets where it's not exciting time to do something else

 

[rem270]

If you don't have buck fever then there's no sense in even hunting. I always just try to tell myself to stay calm and try to be chill in the moment. Usually the after effect is the worst for me. I passed up a really good buck last Sunday. After the fact I was shaking so bad if one came up I wanted to shoot I don't think I could've done it.

 

[BSK]

As everyone else said, THAT is why we hunt! If it ever stops making you shake in the tree, time to give it up.

 

[GRIT]

I don't get like that anymore i haven't in the last 15 or so years my best advice to you is to think to yourself it's just a deer that all it is it might help calm you down.

 

[Snake]

Try to do like athletes taking a breath and letting it out slowly . It's different for me at times I've literally had the tree I'm in shaking as well as me then at times I don't start that until after the shot. I've had my knees shaking so bad that begin to hurt. I'll have to say it's much worse with a bow for me .

 

[BSK]

It's different for me at times I've literally had the tree I'm in shaking as well as me then at times I don't start that until after the shot.

Somehow, I've trained myself to be like that. My heart is pounding and I'm breathing heavy right up to the shot, but I don't "fall apart" until after the shot.

I'll have to say it's much worse with a bow for me .

And that's one of the reasons I gave up bow-hunting. I couldn't get over the buck fever with a bow.

 

[Black Titan]

What was crazy to me was when he turned and ran, my heart rate instantly slowed down. The whole racing thing was gone.

Maybe I'll take an extra metoprolol in the morning lol

BT

 

[clwg97]

Once you lock eyes it's game over usually. Seems like they can sense it

 

[BSK]

What was crazy to me was when he turned and ran, my heart rate instantly slowed down. The whole racing thing was gone.

Maybe I'll take an extra metoprolol in the morning lol

BT

Ha!

Honestly, don't let it bother you. And in fact, now that you've had that feeling, you will anticipate it and it won't freak you out. That alone should help.

 

[BSK]

Once you lock eyes it's game over usually. Seems like they can sense it

They can. Prey animals have a keen sense/sight for being looked at. That's why things built to chase away birds/rodents have big eyes.

 

[killingtime 41]

The adrenaline is what makes it what it is. It's a sport second to none.

 

[WestTn Huntin man]

Once you lock eyes it's game over usually. Seems like they can sense it

I figured someone would mention this.Have you feel someone staring at you from across a room ??
I try to watch out the corner of my eye and not make direct eye contact.
Sometimes I close my eyes and just squint and look out the cracks of my eyes. It definitely helps calm them down when they're looking straight at you.
Slow steady deep breaths can help calm you down.

 

[Ski]

The more you're in close proximity with deer the better you'll be able to handle it. The adrenaline never goes away. We just get better at handling it. You did fine. I'd bet you'll have a kill soon.

I remember my first bow buck. I was hunting with my big brother who at the time was already an accomplished bow hunter. First thing I said to him was that I shot a buck. Second thing was that I'm shivering uncontrollably but ain't cold! I had no idea what was happening to me. He laughed and said to me, "welcome to bow hunting".

If you think buck fever is overwhelming before the shot, just wait until afterwards! You're gona be hooked.

 

[Ski]

I figured someone would mention this.Have you feel someone staring at you from across a room ??
I try to watch out the corner of my eye and not make direct eye contact.
Sometimes I close my eyes and just squint and look out the cracks of my eyes. It definitely helps calm them down when they're looking straight at you.
Slow steady deep breaths can help calm you down.

That's exactly what I do. Sometimes I close only one eye. Sometimes I squint. I'm convinced it makes a world of difference.

 

[Lost Lake]

The more you're in close proximity with deer the better you'll be able to handle it. The adrenaline never goes away. We just get better at handling it. You did fine. I'd bet you'll have a kill soon.

I remember my first bow buck. I was hunting with my big brother who at the time was already an accomplished bow hunter. First thing I said to him was that I shot a buck. Second thing was that I'm shivering uncontrollably but ain't cold! I had no idea what was happening to me. He laughed and said to me, "welcome to bow hunting".

If you think buck fever is overwhelming before the shot, just wait until afterwards! You're gona be hooked.

Some where on a ridge above MacAdoo Creek in Montgomery county is a maple tree with two Bear Super Razorheads embedded in it.

A group of three bucks walked right under my out-of-the-box and unpainted TSS climber, and out in front of me. I missed one of them twice with my new Bear Whitetail Hunter and hit the same tree. I was shaking so bad that I thought I was dancing.

If I'd have fallen the twelve feet to the ground, I'd probably not even have known it. Buck fever and being sixteen years old is rough.

 

[SinningSaint33]

Love it man! That's what it's all about right there. Wish I still got buck fever! Can't say I've been rattled in many many moons unfortunately and I've killed some great bucks over the years. Probably why I don't have the drive to hunt like I did when I was younger. Maybe if I got back into bow hunting and had a good buck in bow range, it might happen again. Keep with it bud

I quit gun hunting because I stopped getting the shakes. Killed 7 with a bow in the last 2 season and I think I shake and tremble more every time I get to draw on one.

 

[SinningSaint33]

My third day in this spot. Been hunting morning and evening, no sign of deer. Im situated on top of a knob in a ridgeline. Finally this morning about 9:45 I hear a blow off to my 2 o clock down the hill. I had been using my grunt. Just a couple grunts every 30 minutes or so. After I heard the blow, I stood up, gave a soft grunt. All of a sudden I spot movement to my left. At first I thought it was another tree rat. I saw brown at ground level. But it was the head of the deer coming up the hill.

I raised my bow, hooked my release, and the deer came out perfectly broadside, about 15 yards away. I thought it was a doe at first, but it turned its head and I saw it was a spike. I was hyperfocused on a small quarter sized spot behind its front shoulder.

Now, this is only my 5th sit, and 6th hunt. I've never killed a deer.

I could instantly hear my heartbeat going a gazillion miles an hour, and im trembling, ragged breath, telling myself to calm down, and I just stood there froze. I don't think I could have even drawn a 10 pound bow at this point, much less my 70 pound bow.

All over a darn spike. This whole thing felt like an eternity, but I bet it played out in less than 30 seconds. The deer got even closer, looking around frantically. I was happy my grunting actually called one in. He then locked eyes with me and froze, me still sitting there with my bow raised, pointed right at him, not moving a muscle except for the trembling. He threw up the white flag and bounded down the hill towards where I heard the other deer blow, then I heard several more blows right after he disappeared.

So, long story short, I let him walk, decided to give him another year. Lol.

Any tips to get over buck fever? I don't know if my heart has ever raced so fast.

BT

I don't have any tips to get over it, I shake like crazy until it's time to draw, once drawn I just calm down until I let the arrow go and I'm right back to shaking. I guess, technically, once I'm drawn I'm just hyper focused on where I want the arrow to come out the other side and that may be what keeps me calm.

 

[Ski]

Some where on a ridge above MacAdoo Creek in Montgomery county is a maple tree with two Bear Super Razorheads embedded in it.

A group of three bucks walked right under my out-of-the-box and unpainted TSS climber, and out in front of me. I missed one of them twice with my new Bear Whitetail Hunter and hit the same tree. I was shaking so bad that I thought I was dancing.

If I'd have fallen the twelve feet to the ground, I'd probably not even have known it. Buck fever and being sixteen years old is rough.

Ha! I've heart punched a few trees myself using the old Bear Whitetail lol. I was partial to Thunderhead 125s.

 

[casjoker]

That is one of the best posts I have read in a long time. It's precisely why we all do it! I try not to look directly at the deer until I draw and shoot. It seems to help keep some of it in check. It is a mind game. Just need to figure out how to keep most of it in check before the shot. Now, after the shoot, it takes me ten minutes to calm down enough to climb out of my stand.

 

[fairchaser]

Personally I use self talk to calm down prior to the shot. Usually I perform well unless I get surprised and must take a very quick now or never shot. Then I might get a less than perfect shot. But it's part of the hunt and experience is the best teacher.

 

[SC Manimal]

HUNTING IS AWESOME! Now the shaking starts for me after the shot. But I still screw up way too many opportunities. Continue having fun in the woods and praise God we get to do this.