Pre-Shot Rituals

[fairchaser]

Everyone has some sort of mental checklist when they shoot. When it comes to making a good shot on an animal often these go out the window. I was wondering if anyone has any good preshot rituals that you have actually used and work for you that allow you to make a good accurate shot. Please don't say. Just don't miss. :/ From what I have heard the brain does not translate the word don't. So you may be telling yourself to miss.

 

[MUP]

I pretty much know if I'm gonna shoot, so I very quickly start looking for a shooting lane, and really just try to concentrate on the kill zone of the animal....then just squeeze the shot off as it all comes together.

 

[Urban_Hunter]

I have a couple on the checklist, and they are engraved in my mind. First is to check my arrow on the rest. I shoot a wisker biscuit and this is completely unnecessary, but it is a habit from the old two prong rest days. Next is anchor points, double check yardage (by guessing), clear path to the target.

NOW FOR THE BIGGIE!!!!

I learned the hard way on both hunting tools: With the bow... make sure nothing is touching the limbs. One time I drew on a doe and she stepped behind a tree, so I switched tagets to one a bit down the hill and didn't notice my bow was lightly resting on the rail of the stand. With the rifle... make sure nothing is touching the barrel. You would not believe how far off target a bullet will go if a limb is touching a free floated barrel!

 

[JRA]

I have a tendency to hold my breath when trying to aim which usually causes me to be a little shaky. I have to make myself exhale and I try to squeeze the trigger or release the arrow during the exhale.

 

[in the dog house]

A lot of my check list is done long before I see the deer. When it does appear I make sure all is clear, limbs, stand, and what ever else. If it is in the woods I pick a land mark where the deer is that I can easily find when on the ground, and then I focus on the very hair I want to hit and squeeze off the shot. After i have decided its a shooter I never look back at the rack either.

 

[Mike Belt]

Follow through! Don't drop or cant the bow to follow arrow flight or see where it hits. Continue to watch through the sights as intently as you did prior to the shot. If you don't then everything you did up and until the shot may all be for nothing.

 

[bigtex]

I pretty much know if I'm gonna shoot, so I very quickly start looking for a shooting lane, and really just try to concentrate on the kill zone of the animal....then just squeeze the shot off as it all comes together.

Yep, same here. Pretty much just go on "auto pilot."

 

[infoman jr.]

Identify the next shooting opening. Reference known yardages or use range finder if possible. Attach release, twist peep, draw, check level, pick a spot, follow through.

 

[plinker22]

I am NOT the one to ask! :blush: :( :(

 

[Boll Weevil]

I actually spend far more time deciding whether or not to shoot; once that decision is made I seem to absolutely go on auto-pilot. It's been rehearsed and repeated so many times, exactly the same, shot after shot, exactly the same, I don't even think about it.

The fletching disappearing behind the shoulder and the deer running off are what snaps me out of cruise control.

 

[@fulldraw]

I couldn't tell ya! It usually happens so fast I can't remember what I did. :D

 

[BSK]

I couldn't tell ya! It usually happens so fast I can't remember what I did. :D

Love that!

 

[BSK]

I pretty much know if I'm gonna shoot, so I very quickly start looking for a shooting lane, and really just try to concentrate on the kill zone of the animal....then just squeeze the shot off as it all comes together.

This.

Once I've made the decision to shoot, I immediate start looking for shooting lanes (I'm almost always hunting in thick, brushy areas), and watching to see which ones the deer may walk through. Once I've identified the shooting lane I'm going to use, concentrating on finding "the spot" to aim for on the deer, depending on shot angle, and purposefully NOT looking at a buck's antlers (if it is a buck I'm going to shoot). Then following the deer through the scope--both eyes open--into the shooting lane, and finally telling myself a smooth squeeze of the trigger instead of jerking the trigger out of excitement.

And because we're talking about mental rituals, the two that are most deeply ingrained into my mind and are part of making a shot are: memorizing where the deer was standing when I shot, and where was the last place I saw the deer if it runs out of sight.

 

[tellico4x4]

And because we're talking about mental rituals, the two that are most deeply ingrained into my mind and are part of making a shot are: memorizing where the deer was standing when I shot, and where was the last place I saw the deer if it runs out of sight.

Have drilled this into my kids & grandkids heads since day 1. Amazing how many "seasoned" hunters can't get within 20 yds of where it was...

 

[muddyboots]

I don't know. When I decide to shoot something else takes over.

 

[moondawg]

Hoist the rifle to my shoulder, squint through the scope, brace myself for the coming recoil and say "I hope I at least hit the deer". :D

Honestly though, it happens so quick, I don't know.

 

[bowriter]

Man! It has been a bunch of years since I even gave it a thought.

 

[dsa5455]

Follow through! Don't drop or cant the bow to follow arrow flight or see where it hits. Continue to watch through the sights as intently as you did prior to the shot. If you don't then everything you did up and until the shot may all be for nothing.

This!!!!!!! X2!!!!!!!!

 

[Boone 58]

Pick a spot, concentrate on pin, as you punch the trigger.

 

[BDS05]

Follow through! Don't drop or cant the bow to follow arrow flight or see where it hits. Continue to watch through the sights as intently as you did prior to the shot. If you don't then everything you did up and until the shot may all be for nothing.

HARD habit to break

 

[MUP]

I pretty much know if I'm gonna shoot, so I very quickly start looking for a shooting lane, and really just try to concentrate on the kill zone of the animal....then just squeeze the shot off as it all comes together.

This.

Once I've made the decision to shoot, I immediate start looking for shooting lanes (I'm almost always hunting in thick, brushy areas), and watching to see which ones the deer may walk through. Once I've identified the shooting lane I'm going to use, concentrating on finding "the spot" to aim for on the deer, depending on shot angle, and purposefully NOT looking at a buck's antlers (if it is a buck I'm going to shoot). Then following the deer through the scope--both eyes open--into the shooting lane, and finally telling myself a smooth squeeze of the trigger instead of jerking the trigger out of excitement.

And because we're talking about mental rituals, the two that are most deeply ingrained into my mind and are part of making a shot are: memorizing where the deer was standing when I shot, and where was the last place I saw the deer if it runs out of sight.

Very good advice BSK! This has helped me on more than one occasion to find a deer that there was virtually no blood trail from.

 

[BluegrassDan]

Here's what I try to do systematically.

1. Don't get in a hurry and blow it.
2. Don't get tunnel vision. Look also for other deer that might be watching me before moving.
3. Size up the deer. Sex, age, antlers.
4. Decide "yes" or "no."
5. Slowly get the bow or firearm into position, allowing the the deer's movements to drive my decsions. Waiting for it to walk behind a tree, etc. The same for any of it's buddies in close proximity.
6. Safety off, sights open and on. Also a good idea to have scopes adjusted to low magnification before entering the woods or field.
7. Anticipate a shooting window between branches.
8. Adjust for any other variables.
9. Take the shot.
10. Watch closely for the animal's reaction, and follow it out of sight (unless it's a bang flop).
11. Eyes return to the shot location. Check for sign and evaluate wait time.
12. Text my dad and wife enthusiastically!

 

[BSK]

2. Don't get tunnel vision. Look also for other deer that might be watching me before moving.

That's a good one BluegrassDan. It's amazing how "blind" to other deer tunnel vision can make you.

 

[Dbllunger]

I repeat these words as I focus on a bow shot:

Anchor-Breath-Pick a spot-Follow Through. I am usually very calm during this time.

Once the arrow is released, all hell breaks loose and everything goes into double time. Where did the arrow hit, where did the deer run, how did the deer run, what was the exact location of the last place you saw the deer.

 

[BSK]

I was always an "instinctive" shooter, in that I was never taught to shoot. I was lucky in that decent marksmanship simply ran in my family. Other than learning how to use sights at an early age (BB-gun), I had no instruction in shooting technique.

However, over time I picked up various "bad habits," and now, my rituals are all attempts to force myself out of those bad habits.

 

[MUP]

I was always an "instinctive" shooter, in that I was never taught to shoot. I was lucky in that decent marksmanship simply ran in my family. Other than learning how to use sights at an early age (BB-gun), I had no instruction in shooting technique.

However, over time I picked up various "bad habits," and now, my rituals are all attempts to force myself out of those bad habits.

Almost the same here Bryan. My Dad just gave me the gun and said, "shoot this, or that". I've had to teach myself what I know now.

 

[huntinkev]

A lot of my check list is done long before I see the deer. When it does appear I make sure all is clear, limbs, stand, and what ever else. If it is in the woods I pick a land mark where the deer is that I can easily find when on the ground, and then I focus on the very hair I want to hit and squeeze off the shot. After i have decided its a shooter I never look back at the rack either.

^^^^ This Exactly ^^^^ Especially picking the land mark out before I shoot and not looking back at the rack, once I decide I'm shooting I try to mentally forget about any rack and focus on the brown hair.

 

[benellivol]

2. Don't get tunnel vision. Look also for other deer that might be watching me before moving.

That's a good one BluegrassDan. It's amazing how "blind" to other deer tunnel vision can make you.

I've hunted a long time and still get myself busted from time to time due to this. I get careless with a gun.

 

[RiverBuck10]

Great question I think! I have missed my share of deer before I started doing check points! I was camping with my dad on a draw hunt one time and I asked him how he never misses and he told me he does a check list in his head! I thought to myself I never do that so I thought I would try it! Well I'm 8 for 8 after I started using check points!

1)anchor point. (find what works for you) mine:1st knuckle behind my ear.

2) Pin/yardage check. (this is a give me but just sayin')

3) Clean release. The most important to me! I always used to tweak/flinch when I shot from being excited! So now in my head I'm saying clean release, clean release. That helps me have a clean release!

I have taken some nice deer with those steps!! I hope this helps you!! It sure did me!!

 

[TRIGGER]

I like the checklist ideas. May have to adopt a few of yours. Thanks.