Who doesn't get "Buck Fever"?

[fairchaser]

Who doesn't get buck fever anymore? I've been hunting for 40 years and I still get some form of buck fever. I've grown past the buck fever so severe that I could not make a good shot. I can now make a good killing shot 99.9%. But, when it comes to making a good judgement on the buck whether he's a good shooter, I can still make mistakes. Under a shoot or no shoot pressure situation and there is a good buck about to disappear forever, I will usually shoot. Sometimes it works out and he's a good buck and sometimes there is ground shrinkage and regrets and I can only attribute it to buck fever.

Looking for advice or suggestions. I've tried all the self talk but when the opportunity presents itself, I'm a natural born deer killer. Help :bash:

 

[walker]

I still get excited when I see deer when hunting! when I stop getting excited I will stop hunting.

 

[TN24081]

Who doesn't get buck fever anymore? I've been hunting for 40 years and I still get some form of buck fever. I've grown past the buck fever so severe that I could not make a good shot. I can now make a good killing shot 99.9%. But, when it comes to making a good judgement on the buck whether he's a good shooter, I can still make mistakes. Under a shoot or no shoot pressure situation and there is a good buck about to disappear forever, I will usually shoot. Sometimes it works out and he's a good buck and sometimes there is ground shrinkage and regrets and I can only attribute it to buck fever.

Looking for advice or suggestions. I've tried all the self talk but when the opportunity presents itself, I'm a natural born deer killer. Help :bash:

To me, buck fever is totally different than trying to judge a marginal buck that's about to disappear. After 35 years of hunting I still get the increase of adrenaline and rapid heartbeat when a big buck is getting near or even when less than mature deer get in close on me. I can even remember the ole shaky legs buck fever and it hasn't been THAT long ago ! But nervousness or buck fever is not what keeps you from accurately judging a deers age or antler score. I mean, it's not like you get nervous and shaking and just can't do it as good. The fact of the matter is that it is very hard to score a live deer, especially under pressure. Especially those top end 2 1/2 yr olds and especially when they are walking away from you ! There are countless other scenarios that can make it even more difficult and I'd venture to say that most hunters have encountered an episode or two of ground shrinkage. Me personally, I've made several mistakes, some that made me almost wanna cry ! But like most everything, you live and you learn from your mistakes and you HOPE that the "buck fever" never ever goes away.

 

[Gravey]

I still get excited when I see deer when hunting! when I stop getting excited I will stop hunting.

What he said.

 

[leader]

Re: Who doesn't get "Buck Fever"?

I still get excited when I see deer when hunting! when I stop getting excited I will stop hunting.

What he said.

Yeppers....


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[wsm]

x3 on what walker said. arty:

 

[infoman jr.]

I still get excited when I see deer when hunting! when I stop getting excited I will stop hunting.

There's a difference in being excited and being able to control your nerves.

 

[fairchaser]

I've heard some people tell themselves when they see a good shooter buck that they probably won't get him. That supposedly squelches the fear of loss and gives them the composure to do what they need to do to close the deal. Not really my cup of tea. But I wish I could do something that would slow my myself down and get me off the kill mode long enough to better eval the buck. Sometimes I don't even remember pulling the trigger until I hear the boom. Then it's sort of surreal and I almost tell myself out loud that I just shot a buck. Then I think dang, he better be good enough. On a doe I get excited but I am fully in control of the process. On a big buck I'm sorta on auto pilot. I'd like to be the same way on big bucks but I haven't killed enough of them to make it that way. I'm not sure I want it to be. But I would like to get better at passing bucks not quite good enough.

 

[Realtree]

I always get tore up ! It happens so fast seems like , then after I shoot I'm thinking where did I aim! Lol I been getting better

 

[muddyboots]

I get all my buck fever after the shot. If I see a buck and and there is any doubt or if I think I need a better look he's not a shooter. It works amazingly well. When I see a shooter it is instant. I mean I know right when I see him. Then I go into auto drive. I turn into a machine. Most of the time i couldn't change my actions on a shooter if I wanted too.

 

[TboneD]

Who doesn't get "Buck Fever"?

I still get excited when I see deer when hunting! when I stop getting excited I will stop hunting.

There's a difference in being excited and being able to control your nerves.

Yep. I got excited with a couple of bucks this year, but since I didn't have decent shots (or buck fever), I didn't shoot at either.

Buck fever is like when you repeatedly shoot at one when you can't even see your shotgun's sights because your stupid sling is somehow wrapped around the barrel. It was pathetic but also the very first deer I ever pointed a weapon at. Also a double drop tined hoss of a buck in southern Illinois while I was in college. THAT was buck fever and I hope I never get it again.


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[ZachMarkus]

Re: Who doesn't get "Buck Fever"?

I get deer fever!

 

[AllOutdoors]

I get excited when I see a deer. If I'm getting buck fever,I'm trying my best to control it and make a good shot.

 

[Deerbuster1996]

Re: Who doesn't get "Buck Fever"?

Mostly after the shot. Most of the time stuff happens to fast to get nervous

 

[catman529]

Re: Who doesn't get "Buck Fever"?

Look at the whole deer not just the rack. A 2 year old still looks skinny. I didn't get much fever at all passing 3 different bucks this year that all were decent, but I already had an idea in my head of what I wanted, and they didn't quite make it. When you see a buck you know you would shoot, you just know it. The criteria may change depending on circumstances. But in general I know when I see a 2 year old in most places, especially private land, it gets a pass. Might shoot one on public land but like I said it depends on the circumstances


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[leader]

Re: Who doesn't get "Buck Fever"?

The best thing anyone can do is just hunt. Set your own limits (restrictions) and hunt within that realm. Of course you have to follow the laws or club restrictions (if any).
I think a lot of buck fever comes from all the "new" hype of what a shooter is.
Used to be people wanted to see deer. Then the deer came and it was wanting to see a buck and then the Bucks came and it was a "decent"rack and then came 4 on a side or 15 inches. Then the hunters that see these regularly ( or think they do) want a "Mature" buck say 3.5 old and then 4.5 old etc....
Used to be the average Hunter went to the woods, saw a deer and shot.
Now a lot of those same hunters see a buck and run through the check list. Is it a buck?is it a shooter?is it so wide? Is it at least 3.25 yrs old. All this adds up and then they have to think about the shot.
This does not pertain to everyone just a lot of what I read on here.
I hunt a club with restrictions and I have seen the above happen 4 on a side/15" wide and the Bucks started getting better and better and then the last couple of years guys would come in from a hunt and say I saw a great buck but it was young. I spent two seasons worrying if I was going to shoot a buck someone passed or shoot a 16" wide 10 point that was "just" a 3 yr old.
Well then I changed my thinking. If I want to shoot, I shoot. If I mis judge, so be it.
Once you figure your standards and ability a lot of the "fever" subsides in my opinion.
No better way to get over that than hair to go tongue woods and watch deer.
This may not be specific to your question but I think in a lot of cases it contributes too "buck" fever these days....


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[TN24081]

I've heard some people tell themselves when they see a good shooter buck that they probably won't get him. That supposedly squelches the fear of loss and gives them the composure to do what they need to do to close the deal. Not really my cup of tea. But I wish I could do something that would slow my myself down and get me off the kill mode long enough to better eval the buck. Sometimes I don't even remember pulling the trigger until I hear the boom. Then it's sort of surreal and I almost tell myself out loud that I just shot a buck. Then I think dang, he better be good enough. On a doe I get excited but I am fully in control of the process. On a big buck I'm sorta on auto pilot. I'd like to be the same way on big bucks but I haven't killed enough of them to make it that way. I'm not sure I want it to be. But I would like to get better at passing bucks not quite good enough.

Don't overanalyze.... Just set some personal goals and do your best to carry them out. If you make a mistake, so what..... Continue to have fun and enjoy your time in the woods. And if given the opportunity, pass it along to someone else. Always have fun, no matter what !

 

[gator-n-buck]

I would bet that most hunters have some degree of excitement before or after the moment of truth.......

 

[1bow4me]

I get the shakes when a doe walks out. I love that feeling. It really doesn't matter if it is a yearling, a mature doe, a 2.5 year old 8 point or a five year old stud. I get the shakes. The question I ask myself immediately is not if he's big enough, big rack, over 8 points. It is simply is it mature enough? It may seem odd, but when I ask that to myself it instantly calms me down enough to evaluate the deers body. Not just the rack. I look at the chest, the rump, wether or not the belly is sagging. Don't get me wrong, I shoot what I want. Wether mature or not. However the mature question just eases my shakes enough to be able to get off a clean shot. Wether it's a small doe or a buck.

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[tree_ghost]

Re: Who doesn't get "Buck Fever"?

I get buck fever If I have a LONG time to watch a definite shooter...I use breathing techniques to slow my breathing down and begin thinking through the situation. After the shot...major buck fever and I wouldn't change that for anything in the world!!!

As far as judging deer better I would offer up these tips...
1. Never judge a bucks rack size if he's looking away from you. It's guaranteed ground shrinkage
2. Designate your shooting lanes at the beginning of the hunt. If the deer isn't in those lanes don't shoot. This will make you slow down and evaluate the deer more closely and also allow you to think through the process that may take place.
3. If possible take a picture of the deer in the woods without looking at it. Make your guess of what you think the deer is score or age or whatever. Then when you get home compare to known buck sizes and ages on the Internet.




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[GreyGoose]

In my beginning years of hunting I would get it bad,push shots,shake,etc..as I have Gotten older I've come to believe that with the time and effort,expenses put into getting the deer,iv become very relaxed when seeing and shooting .I do get pumped but I got a job to do and I concentrate on the job at hand,complete it then cut loose with excitement.

 

[WORM82]

I usually rush the shot when I get exited don't matter if it's a spike,doe,fawn, or big buck

 

[Brisco Darlin]

I still get excited. More of mine comes after the trigger is pulled and I get ready to pull the knife out. That's when it usually hits me and I have to calm down a bit.

 

[benellivol]

I'm usually pretty good until after the shot or the deer walks away without presenting a shot. I go to pieces after that, though.

 

[KBotta]

I get excited if I'm thinking about shooting. If I'm not planning on shooting I'm pretty cool. But..I get the shake downs pretty bad lol....

 

[fairchaser]

I've heard some people tell themselves when they see a good shooter buck that they probably won't get him. That supposedly squelches the fear of loss and gives them the composure to do what they need to do to close the deal. Not really my cup of tea. But I wish I could do something that would slow my myself down and get me off the kill mode long enough to better eval the buck. Sometimes I don't even remember pulling the trigger until I hear the boom. Then it's sort of surreal and I almost tell myself out loud that I just shot a buck. Then I think dang, he better be good enough. On a doe I get excited but I am fully in control of the process. On a big buck I'm sorta on auto pilot. I'd like to be the same way on big bucks but I haven't killed enough of them to make it that way. I'm not sure I want it to be. But I would like to get better at passing bucks not quite good enough.

Don't overanalyze.... Just set some personal goals and do your best to carry them out. If you make a mistake, so what..... Continue to have fun and enjoy your time in the woods. And if given the opportunity, pass it along to someone else. Always have fun, no matter what !

Good answer and of course your right in most cases. My club imposes stiff fines and loss of hunting time if your wrong. You get your picture on the wall of shame and have to saw the horns off and leave them. So what really doesn't apply at my club. That makes it tough and adds to the pressure too. In the end it's supposed to be fun and it's easy to forget that. Thanks

 

[Snake]

I'm 61 and have been hunting since I was in my middle twenties have killed plenty of deer some really decent bucks but I still get what some call "buck fever". I have even have come down with "buck fever" when trying to shoot a doe , so is it "buck fever" ? It is something that doesn't bother me much any more but on an occasion I still get that feeling and as some have said if I don't get that feeling I believe I would quit .I have never had it so bad that I couldn't shoot but at times I think I have made a bad shot . If I've made a bad shot on a deer because of the "feeling" or impatience I tend to over think the next hunts out so I've had to break myself from the over thinking part . I don't shoot only mature bucks but do try to only shoot the ones at least 2 1/2 with pretty decent head gear because as far away as our lease is you really can't do any more than that as far as letting them grow to full maturity and letting the yearlings pass has rubbed off on my grandson . A lot of good tips has been passed this site but what helps me is just what I said "don't over analyze" just go thru your normal routine weather it be a good buck or a doe because I think does as well as bucks deserve us as hunters to make our best shot . I've heard some say well it was just a doe but as I have stated a doe deserves the respect a buck does !

 

[Mike Belt]

I get fired up seeing deer but not to the point that if interferes with shooting... but a lot depends on the situation and the hows, whys, and speed that everything happens. I usually never even touch my rifle and just watch them unless it's a buck that is at or above the minimum size buck I know I'll shoot before hand. Then I make ready for a shot and let things unfold. I don't do the "vibrate" thing until after the shot. Archery is another subject. I suppose that is because on most of the shots I've taken with a bow I've had to wait for what seems forever before the deer presented a shot and I have time to get the shakes. I'm still good at the shot but I sometimes get the shakes before as well as after the shot.

I can remember back when just hearing a deer approaching let alone seeing one almost sent me into convulsions. That was the beginning of becoming a deer hunter and I suspect most hunters experienced that same feeling; and many still do. For me, after years of deer hunting and bunches of deer shot, that uncontrollable meltdown is controllable. Sometimes I regret that.

 

[Hunter 257W]

I've gotten it so bad at times that there is no way I could hit a deer anywhere in the body. Even at 40 or 50 yards. Sometimes it even happens with a doe. Mostly bucks though because I've always hunted in areas where buck sightings are rare. The knowledge that the buck standing in front of me might be the only chance I have all season turns the pressure up so high that it pushes me over the edge sometimes. This - along with all the shotgun shooting I've done - is why I have shot so many deer running, including bucks, with zero "buck fever". When they suddenly appear running, I don't have time to think about anything but making the shot. If there was a sure cure for "Buck fever" everybody would do it but there isn't. Spending time in the woods seeing as many deer as possible is the only way I know to do much about it. As far as getting the shakes after the shot, I've never had that. Once a buck is on the ground I have no problems at all.

 

[Realtree56]

Ground shrinkage = European mount and meat in the freezer. I've been there myself, but at the end of the day we aren't TV hosts on canned hunts, and I don't believe I've ever been actually dissapointed after killing any deer.