Hey guys, I've been a duck hunter all my life but have lost interest due to the poor last couple of seasons. Last year, I took up deer hunting and killed 1, 8 point with the rifle. This year, I'm focusing on bowhunting. I took off work yesterday and hunted about 8 hours. Right at prime time, two mature does stepped out within 10 yards. I happened to be looking and expecting them to come from the other direction. Needless to say, one of the does sensed something wasn't right as my knees began to shake. She stared right at me in the tree and I was unable to draw my bow with her looking and the knees shaking. Yes it was pretty bad, I looked like Elvis in the tree. Question is, how do I control my nerves? Does this take time?

Great post! Glad you get that shook up. You'll just have to keep at it and learn not to get too excited.

That knee shaking is the second best part of the hunt. Just wait until the sense of accomplishment when you know you made the right shot. (that's when it gets me) As for the nervous energy prior to that, i think you just have to experience it and grow from there. More than likely the deer was looking for the problem, and not necessarily at you. Never under estimate a mature doe, she is a wiley advesary. They are always the most skiddish when entering an area so just let them get into the field and let her relax. In turn this will give you a moment to gather yourself also. Good luck and happy hunting. (I would be curious to see your post when you get the first one with a bow.)

If my nerves ever go away, I'll quit!! That's what it's all about!!

I can somewhat control my nerves if I see the deer coming in. If they just show up, the top of the tree will probably be shaking too

Yeah, I learned a lot. It was also the first time I've climbed a tree with my viper so I was already a little nervous. Plus, I lost one of the stirrups on the way up so I was wondering if I was going to be able to get down. I also had my bow hanger in the wrong place, but hey, you live and learn. I had practiced a little with the viper at home but actually hunting out of it is different.

That's those early season screw ups we all have...I have been bow hunting only for years and still get the shakes,,it's why i do it!!!

it's the best part about bow hunting. Even a doe will get your knees shaking. Take a deep breath and relax. Find a small spot right behind the shoulder and let her rip. Make sure you don't hit shoulder, another easy mistake when bow hunting.

I've had staredowns that lasted what seemed like hours. Even the ol hoof stomp doesn't mean the game is over.

Im the exact opposite. If i have to watch em for a while, mine start to get to me.

Getting all tore up is the best part!!! just take a deep breath and try to gather your nerves... try to shoot em while sitting if at all possible, it gives you minimal movement and if your wobble knees give out yoou are already sitting!

That's why I learned to shoot sitting down also

x2

X2. Hope it never goes away. Just have to learn how to control it.

I'm straight better off if the deer gets to the tree quick the more I watch the worse I shake

This is what bow hunting is all about the rush.

I've been doing it a long time, but every year the first ones that come up on me seem to melt me down big time. After that I am good.

It takes time but you will learn to control it when it matters. Just remember shooting a live deer is different than shooting that target that don't move. Like said before just focus on that little spot right behind the shoulder and let her have it.

On another note, since both does snorted or wheezed (whatever it's called) and left, how long should I give that spot before I hunt it again?

Good for you. That is bowhunting. Just remember to breath. Look away for a second if you have too. Even close your eyes for a second.

Welcome to the wonderful world of bowhunting. If a doe tore you up that bad, wait til it's a rack buck.


Over time you will learn to control it somewhat. As suggested above, see if you can draw and shoot while seated. This will help a lot. Something else that seems to help me is those "surprise, there they are deer". If a deer just happens to show up within range and I have to make a shot quickly, the nerves won't bother me as much. Luckily the biggest buck I've ever taken with a bow showed up like that. About 10 years ago I was on a bowhunt at Tara Wildlife over in Mississippi. On the second evening I had 10 rack bucks come by my stand. Three of them were Pope & Young and I wasn't able to get a shot at any of them. Two of them stayed just out of range and one came in right at dark and got within 15 yards of me. I came to full draw on him but couldn't get a clear shot. I was so tore up afterwards I barely managed to climb down out of the stand. The head guide, Hank Hearns, got a good laugh at me when I got back to the lodge.