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hunting vs target shooting what am I doing wrong.

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Chief RID:
The misses for me are remembered in great detail. I am not sure of this but I remember being very confident with the compound bow and shooting deer because of watching all those videos back in the 80s. I remember being assured as a deer snuck or broused through the wood, that I was attuned to his body language and what I needed to do to prepare for the shot. Because of watching all that footage of deer I could imagine just how a deer would probably act and react as it approached my stand. I think this helped me a lot.

BowEd:
An old bow hunting friend told me.Just get on the board Ed.I did I shot a yearling first and after that more and more were a lot easier.

H Rhodes:
It still jacks me up after all these years.  I get all excited and live for that feeling every year.  To kill a deer, I have to make my ambushes ridiculously close and even then, when I decide that I am going to shoot, I have to stop myself from thinking about it as a deer.  I pick a tuft of hair or a "spot" that I want to put an arrow through and then I shoot that spot.  I am shooting a spot, not a deer.  It can be a deer again after it is down.  If I don't get myself under control enough to make the shot in that fashion, I can't hit one to save my life.  I don't know if any of that makes sense, but that is how I think about it when a shot presents itself.  It isn't a heck of a lot different from shooting a 3D target if you can get your mind wrapped around that concept.  If you launch an arrow in the general direction of the target, God knows where it is going to land.  If you pick a tiny little spot in the center of the center of the ten ring, and shoot at that with complete focus - chances are you are going to hit it pretty good.  It is dang sure an exercise in self control.  I can't wait for October!!

bradsmith2010:
hunting shots are difficult... dont be so hard on yourself,,
the only way to practice a hunting shot,, is to shoot a hunting shot,
you are always a bit out of position,, and dont realise it,,
so practice shooting from out of postition alot,,
dont shoot to quickly,, take your time, and you will connect,,
it just takes experiencen and practice ,,,

keep your shots close as well,, it raises the odds of success,,

one thing that really helped me,, is I raised my anchor so the tip of the arrow was on spot I wanted to hit,,

high anchor and long arrow ,, 20 yards was dead on,, I killed quite a few deer like that,, :)

my shorter bows would not do that,, but I had killed enough deer that I had the confidence to shoot well withi any bow by then,, sometimes no anchor at all on the short draws,,,,, that just came from lots of practice and experience,,


I will add that if you go back in your mind to the shots you missed,, you have probably not practice that shot much,,
standing squared to the target, with you feet in perfect position,, does not prepare you for a hunting shot,,
go back,, remember the shots you missed,, and practice that shot,,

lebhuntfish:
A lot of great advice given here from some experienced hunters/shooters/Bowyer's. 
The only thing I could add is to practice practice practice. And when opportunity shows its self all you have to do is stay calm and wait for the shot to be presented. 
I practice at a lot of different angles as well as standing,  sitting on my hunting stool,  kneeling, and sitting learned up against a tree.  All are positions that I hunt in.  I don't use a tree stand so I don't bother.  But I do stand in the back of my truck and shoot down an a target.  (I hunt a couple of Creek beds about that deep that the deer parallel on)
Practice how you hunt and imagine your practice target instead of the quary while you are wanting for your opportunity. While target shooting I imagine the target being a deer and practice my inconspicuous drawing so when im in the field I don't have to change a thing. 
Last but not least,  practice with your hunting clothes on because that is what you will be wearing in the field.  I think this is as much as of importance as shot placement.  Just because you can shoot ok in your back yard dosent mean you can do it with three layers of clothes on and a coat.  Pull an old army sick over you bow arm coat sleve.  It will help keep your fluffy coat out of the way.  Also,  learn to shoot with gloves on,  I know this sounds trivial but it is different,  a gloved hand feels different on your handle as well as the string. 
When I hunt I use camo leather finger gloves and I bring my shooting glove along with me.  If its warmer I wear the shooting glove.  If its to cold I just wear the camo glove.  Im only planning to make one shot (maybe two) while hunting.  Comfort is a big thing with me while hunting.  If your not comfortable then you can't shoot good either.  Hope this helps. Good luck and as always be safe and know your game laws.   

Patrick

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