During these cold months of February, I can often be found in my den, next to the fireplace in an early 1900’s rocking chair smoking my pipe, staring at the monster hanging above the mantel. Well, okay, I don’t really have a den, or a fireplace; I don’t smoke, and I also don’t have a rocking chair. Come to think of it, I don’t have a wall-hanger yet (some could qualify, but never got them mounted!). But, this time of year I frequently recollect my successful hunts. Fortunately, I landed a nice Ohio 8-point on October 12, but I’ve chot him repeatedly in my mind since then.

Thinking like this gets me itching to get back out to the woods, but season is still far off. So what’s a hunter to do? Nothing like a visit to a local shooting range to alleviate some of the tension! Which brings me to today’s mental tip - practice hunting while at the range - not just shooting.

What’s the difference? Shooters (now I’m not talking well-trained competition shooters — just your average joe/jane) might take a few shots, then BS with their friends, then maybe take a few more, with no real intention behind each shot. Yes, this is fun, but in my opinion it won’t help you land the buck of your dreams.

You can practice hunting by simulating a hunting environment at the target range? I know its indoors and the target is a bullseye - but you can visualize a deer behind that bull with each shot. I also like to draw my bow as if I’m hunting - not just shooting. By this, I mean I raise my arm and draw slowly - trying to stay quiet. I also might try to hold my draw for extended periods of time to simulate a situation in which the buck just won’t take that last step.

My Point: Your mind is very creative - use this creativity to get more out of your winter shooting outings!

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I’ve read column after column about how great scouting cameras are for locating big bucks, patterning deer, and scouting new stands. I’ve come across nothing so far that has pointed toward what I think is one of the biggest benefits of scouting cameras: PREPAREDNESS!!!

If you’ve been keeping up with my Tackle Buck Fever Series, you’re already aware of the importance of MENTAL preparation. Scouting cameras are a very useful device to get your mind ready for your time in the deer stand.

Why? Let’s explore this issue with a hunting scenario. Say you’re hunting a relatively new area and all of the sudden a monster whitetail is headed your way. Situations like this come way too far and few between to blow it because of nerves (i.e., Buck Fever). If this buck catches you by surprise, you’ll be more likely to get the shakes and/or make a big mistake. However, if you’ve captured this beast on film, then you’ll have had time to prepare for his arrival. That is, you’ll be expecting him — so you’ll be ready to deliver a knock-out punch.

How? Of course, cameras aren’t the answer in and of themselves — it’s what you do with them. Just like I mentioned last week with hunting videos,  you can use them to your advantage if you use them to prepare. Once you catch a big buck on film, put him in your mind! Spend time visualizing this buck approaching from different angles. Practice the skill of focus - as you imagine him walking by, picture yourself maintaining perfect focus on the buck’s vitals. Notice in your mind how you are not deterred by a fancy rack. Rather, you’re ice cold and ready to execute a perfect shot!

Case in point! This photo is from Cuddeback’s website. It’s a photo contest picture, so it’s the real deal. I don’t know about all of you, but if this guy caught me by surprise, I’d be lieing if I said I wouldn’t be a little surprised!  However, if I knew I was in his neighborhood, I would have a much better chance of being ready for this bruiser to give me a shot of a lifetime!

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Wednesday’s here at deerPhD.com are dedicated to the core of what this blog is all about: The Psychology of Hunting. You may have seen my Tackle Buck Fever series already, and throughout this year I will be building on this series with weekly tips to help you prepare mentally for the 08-09 deer season.

Start Now: Would you EVER recommend taking a firearm directly out of the box and into the field? I’ve used this analogy many times before, and I want to reiterate my point: your mind needs offseason tuning, training, and preparation. During this cold months of February, there isn’t much to do with respect to preparing deer stands, so what better time is there to starting thinking your way to a successful deer season.

Today’s Tip: During this time of year, I love catching up on the past year’s hunting videos. My favorites include H.S. Scents “Primetime” Series, and Primos “Truth” Series. I’m also a big fan of The Huntin’ Junky, who films himself hunting (his videos give you a very realistic perspective of what it’s like to be hunting). Most people don’t realize, however, that watching hunting videos can be a very effective practice tool - it’s all in how you watch them.

How NOT to watch them: Feet propped up, beer in hand, chattin’ with your buddies. (Yes, this approach can be very fun, but it won’t do much in terms of preparation.)

How TO watch them: Live vicariously through the hunter. Put yourself in the hunter’s shoes…and picture yourself in the stand, making a perfect shot. Something I like to practice is what I can bouncing my eyes. I pretend I’m the hunter, and when I buck comes into scree, I immediately assess its rack to determine if it’s a shooter. If it is, then I bounce my eyes to the vitals. I develop a skill of looking only at the vitals, while mentally mapping potential paths this buck must take. If you try this at home, you may find it’s difficult to focus on just the vitals, especially if the buck takes a while to walk into range. However, overtime, you will learn to focus so intently, than any distractions (including a massive rack) never even enter your mind.

So go ahead and watch a hunting video this week (as if you needed an excuse)…

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The following is the latest installment of my weekly Wednesday column on the Psychology of Hunting.

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In many ways, the hunting and golf industries are quite similar. Mainly, each industry has countless new gadgets, quick fixes, and “guaranteed” methods to improve your experience. But there is something that the golf world has that the hunting industry has only just begun to understand - the importance of the MIND.

Think I’m making this one up? Take a gander at the golf section in a bookstore - you’ll find multiple books on the mental game of golf. Big time golfers understand that golf is a mental game just as much (if not more than) a hunting game. Here are a few quotes to demonstrate my point:

I think your mind has a lot to do with the game, even more than practicing. Sure, you’ve got to practice until you learn all the fundamentals, but if you’ve been playing golf as long as I have, it’s not the practice anymore, it’s the mind. ~ Lee Trevino

The mind is your greatest weapon. It’s the greatest club in your bag. It’s also your Achilles’ heel ~ Steve Elkinton (1995 PGA Champion)

Once you’re on the Tour, the mental part of the game is 85-90 percent. ~ David Duval

The biggest strength of Tiger Woods you can’t see. It’s his mind ~ Butch Harmon

Golf has got it going on as far as the mind goes — yet hunters seem more interested in the newest scent control device or fastest bow than their minds. To keep with this golf analogy, try to put it into this perspective: In golf, new clubs really can make a player better (technology can make an average player save a few strokes). Yet, in hunting, the end result isn’t your score - it’s whether or not you delivered a successful kill shot. We had the technology necessary for this hundreds of years ago!!! The technological advances in hunting are very minor year after year (despite what advertisements will claim). Yet, the amount of improvement that can come with some basic training between your ears may be literally astounding.

I don’t golf, but I spend plenty of time reading what golf has to say about the mind. We, as hunters, have much to learn from the world of golfing…

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This post is part of an ongoing series dedicated to using mental techniques to overcome symptoms of Buck Fever. I strongly recommend starting with installment 1 where I explain the process of Buck Fever under the skin. You can view all posts in this series here.

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Type the words “importance of focus” into any online search engine, and you will find not thousands, but millions of hits. Scan the bookshelves in the sports section at your local bookstore and it won’t take you long to find several books that discuss the importance of focus. However, focus has seldom received the attention it deserves in the hunting industry. Most advice points to techniques or tools that all but guarantee success in the field (and some do make guarantees: see ALS Enterprises Lawsuit). True, it may take a few gadgets to outsmart a buck that continually eludes you, but it also takes a whole lot of focus to make an accurate shot once he’s in range. Lose your concentration, and you’ll likely lose that buck. This article contains a few tips to help you keep focused when it counts.

Let’s start with an illustration. Imagine staring down 3 different deer: One is a 150-160 class buck, one is a spike, and one is a doe. In the field, each deer will likely lead to different levels of excitement (accompanied by a pounding heart and shaking hand!). Now think of each deer again, but this time think about nothing more than each deer’s vitals. Zoom your mind’s eye to each deer’s shoulder and nothing else.

My Point: There’s a good reason I’m asking what may seem like a ridiculous question. When you’re preparing to shoot a buck, you shouldn’t see anything on the deer except its vitals. To be completely focused on something means that you are free from any and all distractions. Once you identify a buck as a shooter, there is no reason to look at anything except the spot where you want your arrow to fly. You can count points, measure antlers, and stare all you want when the buck is down. Until then, keep your eyes focused on the 10-ring of your prey. By concentrating on the vitals, you will decrease your chances of experiencing symptoms of buck fever, which means your chances of success increase incrementally.

Recent Example: Frequent readers of this blog may know that I had a good weekend in the field, bagging my first Ohio Buck. He was an 8-point, but I had no idea until after I followed the blood trail! The moment I IDed this buck as a shooter, I looked at nothing other than 2 things: 1- his vitals, and 2- his path toward my shooting lane.

The Catch: Sounds easy enough, right? Here’s the catch: you have to practice focusing long before you set foot in a treestand! Focusing is a skill just like shooting; both are refined through hours of practice. You can incorporate your practice into many things you already enjoy. This is where the fun begins!

Bouncing Your Eyes: It’s not easy to avoid staring at a buck’s antlers. I practice what I call “eye bouncing”. Since my eyes are naturally drawn to a buck’s antlers, I counter this reaction with a conscious effort to stare at the vitals. I do this everytime I see a picture of a deer. Here are some other ways to practice this technique:

• Hunting videos: Don’t just prop your feet up and enjoy the shot; live vicariously through the hunter on screen. When a deer appears on-screen, I initially make a decision as to whether or not it’s a shooter. If it is, then I bounce my eyes directly to the vitals. I want to see nothing other than what is displayed in Figure 1. I try my best to focus on the vitals until the hunter makes his or her shot.
• Watch with your Bow: I want you to bring your bow in front of the television and pretend that you are the hunter in the video. Do everything you would do if you were the hunter (except use an arrow or actually shoot). When I practice this way, I start by deciding if the buck in the video is a shooter. If it is, then I bounce my eyes. As the buck approaches on-screen, I slowly and quietly draw my bow (or aim my crossbow) focusing on nothing but the deer’s vitals. You’ll find overtime that your sites are drawn to the vitals like a magnet! (Note: make sure that your weapon is unloaded anytime you do not intend to shoot, and treat all weapons as if they are loaded).
• 3-D Targets: Take this developing skill to the outdoors. Personally, I think the best way to practice as season draws closer is with 3-D targets. These targets help you simulate true hunting situations, and you can practice your focusing skills with them. Try to avoid simply using a 3-D target as a substitute for the standard bulls-eye at a range. Pretend that the deer is real. Visualize the buck walking and then stopping in range. Focus on its vitals, prepare to shoot discreetly, and then execute your shot with precision.

So in between your hunts this year, take some time to develop the skill of focus. Practicing these techniques can be a fun variation to your current practice repertoires. They might also make the difference when the buck of your dreams steps into range. If nothing else, they give you an excuse to watch more hunting videos (as if you needed one).

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If you’ve read any of my “Tackling Buck Fever” posts, you know that I’m a huge proponent of using mental strategies while we hunt. There are a ton of cliches out there that illustrate this point. I once read a quote, “Whatever you hold in your mind will tend to occur to you.” (Author Unknown) Yet, sometimes it not enough to know these things…you’ve got to see it to believe it!

Here’s a simple exercise I once read in a column by renown outdoorsman Dr.  James Swan. Hold your arms directly parallel to the group and out to your side (so your body makes a ‘T’) and have someone try to push them down. Try your best to keep them straight.

After your friend pulls them down, give your arms a rest and then try it again. But this time, pick out a spot on the wall at shoulder height. Visualize a stream of light and energy that is generated in your body and that extends out of your arms and  directly through this spot. Imagine that this beam of energy is completely impenetrable and that there is nothing in the world that could change its course. While you’re doing this, have your friend try to pull your arms down again. You may find that your mind has made your arms stronger.

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My friend, fellow member of a sportsmen’s club, and wrestling coach dropped me a message over the weekend. It reads as follows:

Bryan,
I enjoyed your information about buck fever and congratulations on being a married man. Your dad and I had a great trip to Montana and you should try to make the trip sometime. I have a question for you. In your professional opinion, do you think that the reason that some hunters do not get buck fever is they don’t think about what’s occurring and instead let their subconscious work (rather than their conscious mind). I often find this to be the case in athletes who don’t choke in critical situations.
Your friend,
Coach Billett

I think of this as my first official ‘consultation’ about Buck Fever. To give a little perspective, Coach Billett has been head coach of my hometown’s wrestling team for as long as I can remember (and I started wrestling when I was just a little tike). He’s got a ton of experience with athletes (several of which graduated to wrestle at Division 1 schools), so this guy knows his stuff. He and I have hunted and fished together, and he’s taught me quite a bit about both over the years. I’ll never forget the night he taught me how to tie a spider knot while were were fishing the PA trout streams. Here is my response:

Coach, many thanks for dropping the message and question. I think you are onto something here. You’re right. We seem to have the most control over our bodies when we actually stop trying to consciously control ourselves It seems that we (hunters, or any athlete for that matter) get ‘rattled’ when we get too caught up in what’s going on. We are focused on the wrong aspects of the hunt. As you know, athletes perform at their peak when they are in the “zone”. While in the zone, it is almost as if we aren’t trying…we are, as you might say, letting our subconscious control our actions. So, yes, I think you are spot on with your speculation.

This inquiry leads me to question: How can I get to the zone more often? Further, how can I help someone who, for whatever reason, gets rattled? How can I help them perform in the zone? I’m still trying to answer those questions completely, but check-out my Buck Fever Series to see some initial thoughts (and note that the posts on that page are in reverse chronological order).

Coach, thanks again for the message. I hope you whack a big one this year, and I hope your team finds itself in the “Zone” while on the mat!

Best,

Bryan

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I’ve read many articles that suggest ‘Buck Fever’ and ‘Target Panic’ are virtually the same phenomenon. As a result, most advice for Buck Fever stems from that of Target Panic.

My opinion differs from most that I have read. I believe these two phenomena are distinctly different. As of right now, this is only my opinion. I hope to study these issues further over the course of my career (I’m currently looking for sponsors to fund the research…any takers?).

Basis for my opinion: Target shooting and hunting are very different in their nature. The targets differ, and most notably, the environments differ. By environments, I am referring to the nature of target shooting and hunting. The primary difference seems to be that when you target shoot, you know your target, and you know when you will shoot. In hunting, the nature of your target, the angle of the shot, and the time your prey presents itself can all vary.

So what? While many techniques for ‘curing’ Target Panic and Buck Fever coincide, I hold the belief that there are also differences. To my knowledge, many techniques unique to Buck Fever have yet to be discussed or even discovered. For example, there is a technique from the world of Psychology that some call ‘Reactive Decision Making’. It’s all about how to make decisions under periods of intense pressure. This notion applies perfectly to hunting. I plan on developing some posts about Reactive Decision Making and related techniques in the future, so stay tuned.

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According to the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (thanks to Tom Remington for the Link), hunters spend nearly $2,000 each year on hunting related expenses! Reading this figure makes me want to buy stock in Remington, Mathews, or TenPoint (or perhaps Skinny Moose Media!).

Have you ever thought about what each shot is worth? I don’t mean shots as a shooting range…I’m talking about shots at game. I tried to answer this very question, but I believe that the most accurate answer is to say that it varies incredibly across hunters. For example, many deer hunters may only take one or two hunting-related shots each year, whereas a duck hunter may shoot hundreds, or even thousands of times. Further, cost of equipment varies.

Beyond Economics: A penny saved may be a penny earned, but memories last a lifetime. From this perspective, can one even place a price tag on individual shots? I know my first shot at a buck was priceless (I’ll tell the story sometime…).

My Point: Where am I going with all of this? I don’t have data to support my claim, but I would guess that most hunters don’t put their money where their shots are. They spend money on new gadgets, new clothes, etc. All of these can be good (no…GREAT!) things…but when the moment of truth comes along, these gadgets won’t come through for you. It all comes down to you.

When the buck of your dreams is staring you down…are you ready? Are your sites true? Is your stand quiet? Are you prepared mentally?

How about this…would you bet $2000 that you can make the shot?

From a certain perspective, you already are making that bet.

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Here’s a made-up statistic: 90% of all hunters admit to missing a deer, and the remaining 10% are liars! While this statistic is fictitious, it holds at least a kernel of merit. Most hunters (including myself) know all too well what it feels like to watch an arrow sail inches over a buck’s back, or worse yet, injure a deer with a non-lethal shot. These experiences can leave haunting images in our minds. In this post, I share some tips and techniques to help you rebound from missed opportunities. These suggestions just might make the difference between an isolated misfortune and a series of unfortunate events.

Before proceeding, a disclaimer: I believe in doing everything you can to prevent poor shots. I strongly encourage every hunter to prepare physically and mentally for challenges in the field. However, it’s called ‘hunting’ for a reason — there are no guarantees. So, should you miss this season (or if you missed last year), here are some suggestions.

First and foremost, ready yourself for another shot. If you miss, immediately reload and be prepared; now is not the time to beat yourself up or get emotional. I once missed a nice Pennsylvania 8-point at a distance of no more than 10 yards. The buck spooked, but had no idea what happened. He ran about 20 yards, but to the other side of my tree, which meant he was still within 10 yards. My point is this: if you miss and then react by yelling or getting so frustrated that you forget to reload, you might miss your first chance to wipe that shot off the books.

Other times, deer run out of range. When this happens, scan the woods with a keen eye, and after you know for certain that there are no deer in site, try the following:

1. Put your hunt in perspective. You need to have perspective. Otherwise, you will fool yourself into believing that your missed shot is the most important event that occurred in the entire world. As soon as you are certain that a deer is no longer in site, remind yourself that you’re lucky to be hunting. It’s okay to look back at the event and laugh! Look around at the beauty of the wild. Think of your loved ones. You might find that it takes a missed shot to open your eyes to the true purposes in hunting.
2. Process what happened. Once your initial reactions subside and you are calm and relaxed, process the experience. It is very important to study the experience so you can learn from it. Reenact the event in your mind so you can discover what went wrong. Did you use the wrong site pin? Was the deer out of range? Were you distracted? By processing the event, you will learn how you can improve (through future practice). Further, replaying the event in your mind right after it happens will actually help you forget it later on. This might seem counterintuitive, but if you initially avoid thinking about it, you will find that it creeps back into your mind (again and again). When you choose to process a missed shot, you exert control over your own thoughts, instead of letting them control you.
3. Think Positively. Now that you’re calm and you have actively processed the event, it’s time to rebuild your confidence. Start thinking about all the things you do right. If you’ve harvested a buck before, replay that memory in your mind. Remind yourself that you are a good shot and that you have what it takes to harvest a buck. You’ll need this confidence to endure the wait until your next opportunity.

Personally, I have one specific memory that I always replay when I need a confidence boost. I was 14 years old, and it was the opening day of rifle season in Pennsylvania. I was hunting alongside my father, who harvested his buck in archery season that year. We were hunting on a rolling hill that overlooked a field of young Christmas trees. A shooter came bolting out of a patch of thick pines and then slowed to a trot about 300 yards away. Knowing one of us might have to make a long shot, we practiced shooting in this field during the summer months. I knew right where to aim the sites of my Remington Model 7 at this distance. Result: lung shot and a trophy for the wall (not to mention lots of jumping up and down with my dad)!

4. Practice as soon as you can. Mental imagery is a very powerful tool, but it only takes us so far…and it does very little if your equipment is malfunctioning. You have to convince yourself (body and mind), that your equipment is sited properly and that you are shooting properly. Practice shooting your bow in a contrived hunting situation. If you hunt from a tree stand, shoot from a tree stand. The idea here is to make sure you are shooting properly from the same vantage in which you hunt. Doing this will permit you to make any adjustments and to build some confidence. You can then visualize these recent shots to replace the images of your missed opportunity.

Let’s face it, I hope you never have to use the techniques just described. I wish each and every reader nothing but the best of hunting successes. Think of the aforementioned tips as tools for your toolbox. You can stash them away, and maybe you’ll never have to use them. But, if something goes wrong, you’ll know where to find them…and you’ll know how to use them.

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