Target dot panic.

[Buckblaster]

I have gotten extremely bad about anticipating a shot and jerking the bow around trying to settle my pin on the dot. I've got an extremely bad mental case of target panic. I am talking 30 yards means a 7" or 8" group. But you give me a 3d target or a deer on a block target I can stack arrow after arrow in 1 place. I shoot extremely better when aiming at an "area" and not a small dot.

I started shooting in my garage at about 20 feet at night trying to hold off on a shot, just settle the pin and squeeze. I started shooting with both eyes open and doing this routine and it helps for a few days then all heck breaks loose again. I want to shoot and jerk the trigger soon as my pin flys across the dot.

Like I said, Gimme a 3d target or a deer vitals target and the arrows go where they need to be...consistantly. I shoot 100x better shoting at an area with my pin just "floating" on it. I can get excellent groups out to a little better than 40.

Deer dont have spots so it is sort of useless and before anyone says it I dont pick dots on fawns

It is just a little irritating not being able to shoot an outlined spot.
This may be my own mind game I have to work out but is there any practice routines I can do to help me shoot dots?

 

[Fordman]

Shoot blind bale every day for a short period.

 

[Buckblaster]

blind bale? close up with my eyes closed?

 

[Fordman]

exactly

 

[Radar]

Blind bale shooting works good . Shoot at a blank target , and pick your spot . Don't worry so much about aiming or grouping arrows . Shoot each arrow into a different area on the target .
Get real close to a large target and close your eyes before you shoot . Just think about the shot sequence , and not aiming .
Also try letting down if you have difficulty aiming .


Here are some good shooting tips .There are probably 100 articles on shooting by one of the best bowhunters around .

http://www.randyulmer.com/archive/categ ... ting-tips/

 

[bobthebowhunter]

Shoot blind bale every day for a short period.

Ditto

I try to shoot every day. When I get home to late from work I shoot inside/garage. Get close and close your eyes. Helps keep you in shape too even though you aint shooting at long distances.

 

[bowfire]

Ditto with the previous advice. I've had the same problem for 20 plus years. Don't know the author, but there's a book out about target panic that helped me alot. Very frustrating but you can get it under control with practice.

 

[UTGrad]

This sounds alot like the "yips" in golf. I've gone through periods where a three foot putt is more like a twenty foot putt. It is actually in the Merck Medical Manual. It is condition of the nerves wanting to react in a task where it requires steadiness. I don't want to know about target panic, if I acknowledge it then it might become reality.

 

[username]

Been there, done that, and defeated it.

The key for me was to learn how to shoot with back tension. I also bought a release aid called the "Answer" from Golden Key. It was helpful too when it wasn't broke.

If you are like me, you'll come out of it shooting better than you ever imagined you could. It opened up a whole new dimension to aiming and releasing for me. Eventually, I was able to shoot index finger style releases again. Like you, it didn't affect me at all with anything but shooting spots. I still don't like shooting spots.

 

[102]

The Answer release IS the BEST cure for anyone having issues with target panic. It could be bought for about 80 bucks. Unfortunately, they are kinda hard to find now. If you can find one...buy IT. Your problem will be solved INSTANTLY!

I know several shooters who have struggled with TP for years. I suggest you read the stuff RADAR posted by Ulmer, and focus on your trigger finger release during practice sessions.

102

 

[8up]

Sometimes when this happens its because your focusing on your pin instead of the spot you want to hit when there is a dot in front of you. When its a 3d you focus on where you want to hit and see the pin more as a second thought. This is what is was for me in the past.

 

[TN Deer Slayer]

The Answer release IS the BEST cure for anyone having issues with target panic. It could be bought for about 80 bucks. Unfortunately, they are kinda hard to find now. If you can find one...buy IT. Your problem will be solved INSTANTLY!

I know several shooters who have struggled with TP for years. I suggest you read the stuff RADAR posted by Ulmer, and focus on your trigger finger release during practice sessions.

102

Hes right.

 

[JayMc]

The GKF The Anwer release is almost impossible to find now. The last one I saw on AT went for something crazy like $150!

The Carter Squeeze Me is a similar concept and might work.

102 - if you have a The Answer release I have a friend who's been looking for one for two years.

 

[stopmount]

I shoot my bow just like a gun. It is attributed to the training I received at Paris Island. If you squeeze the trigger (on gun or bow release) with just enough ease that the recoil surprises you; it is bullseye every time. I did get into a bad habit several years ago of looking around bow after shot to see where my arrow had hit the target which led to inconsistent groups or target misses completely. That was a really aggrivating habit to break once I started doing it.

 

[102]

I don't. But a buddy still uses his. He paid BIG money for it too on e-bay.

102