Target Panic Is Real! How To Work Through It Part 1 Traditional Bowhunting And 3D Competition.

Dealing with all out target panic can be very difficult to overcome in a high stress situation especially with traditional archery! It is real and can affect anyone at anytime so here’s how I am personally dealing with it!

[@keithshannon4410]

Been there ,done that! We practice millions of shots to "shoot". When a deer comes in, the moment you begin to pull the string your mind is screaming "shoot.shoot,shoot". I found I needed to stop making "shoot" my goal when I draw, in fact I needed to completely take "shoot" out of the equation. Instead, I make getting into perfect anchor and aim ''my sweet spot" my one and only goal and that is all I want to achieve, especially when drawing on a deer. I can always drop the string if and only if I get there. Sometimes I would practice on a target an hour a day for a week and never shoot an arrow. I was practicing to make ''getting to my sweet spot" as my normal and only goal. Hit me 20 years ago and I still have to think about this some especially when I'm hunting. Did wonders for me and I don't have to beat myself up so much anymore. In fact, I consider getting stickbow close to a deer and just getting to my ''sweet spot " a major success. If you can make that your goal , the rest will happen.

[@gwalker4311]

“It” hit me hard back in the early 90’s as a compound shooter after practicing for months in preparation of an archery elk hunt in Wyoming. The week before we were to leave, it hit me and I couldn’t put a pin on a bullseye. Not coming up, down, left, or right, there was nothing I could do to get my pin to settle on what I wanted to hit. I got to the point of throwing my shot in an effort to get it in the 10-ring. I actually gave up shooting bows for several years until a friend wanted me to try a traditional bow. Wow! No more target panic, that is until I got comfortable shooting my new to me Palmer recurve. Then it was back. I sought out any and all mentions of help with target panic after a few decades, I’ve come up with my hybrid solution to “my” target panic. I learned that how you learn to shoot bows probably has more to do with target panic than anything else. You see if you learned with lots of internal or external pressures and were able to overcome them and you got dialed in and things were going along “fine” until…. Yeah, then your brain not having that same level of stress/pressure searches out and introduces stress into your shot(not coming to full draw, not being able to get on target, etc. etc. etc). I still deal with “it” at times; but when I fall back into “it”, I go back to being mindful(meditation-ish), relax, and let things flow. The way “it” strikes and the number of archers it afflicts it has to be mental and as such requires a mental approach that is aside from trying to force it. Get centered in your shot process again, relax, and let it flow once again. Yeah there will be days on the range you’ll feel it sliding back in incrementally, acknowledge it, relax and get centered back in your shot process. I’ll be watching to see how you manage. Best of luck Jeff!

[@robertskowronski2923]

Jeff, A top 3D shooter in Vermont told me something that may help. Tommy Thygesen told me with a down hill shot you must first draw on the horizontal. After you are at full draw and anchored you hold that body position and bend at the waste. Tommy told me that attempting to draw bent over on a down angle shot will cause you to miss by shooting high. The body's muscles are not correctly aligned. As to target panic....I shake all over and my mind just goes blank. I am not help there. Best I can do is force myself to talk myself through the shot. "Look at your target. Come to full draw. Aim, release and follow through." If I don't talk myself through the shot I blow it. You have been so much help to me if anything I was taught is a help to you, I thank God!

[@peterdarby793]

Just found your channel. I really enjoy it, keep posting. Wheni learned archery I shot accurate and fast. Then I didn’t, tried to focus and pick a spot but nothing worked. One day I picked up an Osage ELB which I had to deliberately aimed. I drew about half draw and my brain would not allow me to draw further because it knew I was going to hold. Thus began a 20+ year fight with TP. Most of the curing TP advice is both good and bad. Since it is 100% mental so if you think standing on a gum wrapper/ blind bale/ focus more/ control/ etc. will work, it will. Your advice is pretty close to the mark based on what I have found out. Someone who is an expert on shooting sports said every good marksman mentally divides his shooting into aiming and releasing or pulling the trigger. When your subconscious runs it often takes over and forces a release or shot when it thinks you are on. If your only at half draw then so be it. I know consciously divide my shooting into three phases; Drawing/ aiming/ releasing. By using a count of 3 =draw, 2=aim 1= release I am almost back to where I used to be years ago. I practice both slow and fast. As I am retraining my mind to do what it used to do I can get back to what releasing as I hit anchor and hit what I am shooting at. Anyway, keep up the good work.

[@johnmassey4816]

Spot on!!! Look forward to how you get it right. We all struggle, it’s how we prevail over the adversity. God Bless. “ Hunt Hard”

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

@@johnmassey4816 Thanks brother, so far my new process it working really well but time will tell!😁

[@MattiKukkonen-dg2dr]

I have it too.. now i practice for indoor, and shoot block at 5 meters. Hold every shot 5-10 sec and sometimes let off and dont shoot. Long way to go, but worth it. Thanks Jeff, great content!

[@MartinaDotzler]

Hi Jeff, thank you for sharing. I started archery in April 2024 and it was exiting and I managed to improve very quickly. One day I was alone at the ranch starting at the line to try a 40 m shot - knowing or having in mind that it was too far for 3 month experience in shooting - and I did everything wrong… to make a long story short - I came home with a completely blue bow arm, at least 10 times the string hit my arm heavily before I gave up for this day. I had tears in my eyes because it really hurts in body and soul - and not knowing what to do next. To give up was no option 😂 I fought my way back with a lighter bow AND watching a video from someone I found in the net talking about a solid shooting sequence (great guy - have found your videos later the year), and practicing on much shorter distances. It taught me a lot about archery and I am much better now than I was before. After 4 weeks I returned to my loved longbow (Fred Bear Montana, 35 lbs) - don’t laugh I am a female, 57 y old with practice in martial arts but not in archery. Last weekend I was at a 3D course and managed to hit a target at 45 meters distance - I have to work at being precise and get the feeling for distances of course, it’s less than a year that I started, but all the fear of hurting myself and doing something that wrong that I have to start again from the beginning, all the wrong movement didn’t come in my mind. Was it distance or target panic or having in mind that it is impossible to be good enough for it? It doesn’t matter how you call it - the way back is what matters. Coming back is giving an experience which makes you even stronger but also even more humble. Nothing is for free. I also trust in our lord - and with this you cannot get lost . Forgive mistakes in my English, greetings from Germany Martina

[@larsblankenfjell9814]

Same here Jeff, I had target panic, its a terrible experience, I felt afraid to shoot, due to I could miss the 3D target, and at times I miss the whole target as well, even if I know this taget never been a problem before. Thats why I went from Instinctive shooting to Gap, well then I got my confidence back, but it took about 6 months get it, since then I have got rid of my target panic especially on competitions, and today I shoot a mix between Instinctive and GAP and that works fine, but you never know the Target panic could return again, so its so interesting to listen to you on how you recovered

[@stevieray1828]

Thanks Jeff. Great stuff. I've found that i put pressure on myself to fill a tag which has led to taking bad shots. I've had the people that i want to tell about my deer in the back of my mind while shooting... Can't have any such thoughts while aiming, only aiming. God bless!

[@Mr333panda]

Thanks for the video. I feel your pain. I have been fighting it for the last 2 years. I hope you get through it. Looking forward to seeing your progress.

[@rdl628]

Jeff I’ve been watching all your videos was on your waiting list for a bow when you had to stop making them . I purchased a bear paw from three rivers and spent hours and money for three or more years I have not been able to kill a deer. I will be truly truthful and say I have stuck four deer and missed I don’t know how many. Definitely panic very bad I’m ready to go back to compound or just wait till gun season. I’m 70 years old and would love to hunt trad . I’m thinking I’ve waited too long to do this! Don’t know what to do!!

[@DerechoD-ju3qe]

I'm surprised this didn't happen to you sooner. I've been dealing with this for decades. I had to lower my poundage and draw away from my target to help with this. Snap shooting can get you started on target panic and the feeling that everything is riding on your archery success.

[@peterbedford2610]

Watching you take deer shots and target shoot has taught me a lot. Just trying to copy all your actions improved my accuracy about 100%. you're very smooth and methodical.

[@outdoorsman9384]

We can never ever surrender too the bow owning us we own it its a belief system that we have to control by demanding performance and never shoot a shot out of control by drawing the bow down, or the arrow will go cattywompes and we can never except this. So with this become the hooter shooter that shoots perfect and don't release until you do it perfectly every time. Excelsior ✊️

[@fairviewman3924]

Good video, Jeff. I found myself saying "yup, yup, yup" as you described all of the phases of your target panic because it is very similar for me. If you don't nip it in the bud early it can get even worse. The slow draw, the sudden feeling you are drawing 1000 lbs, not getting to anchor, one part of your brain saying "let it go" while another part is screaming "no, your not at full draw yet so you better yank that string back real quick before you let go". So in addition to short drawing and no anchor your also yanking the string and plucking. It doesn't end well. It tends to hit me when I target shoot from the same spot for too long while trying to correct minor form issues. All of a sudden it all goes to heck. So then I move to a new spot and start over. Luckily it hasn't hit me while hunting yet. Good luck to you and all the other target panic patients out there.

[@azcoueshntr]

Been fighting it for many decades. The compound has helped me shoot the recurve, the recurve has helped with the compound. You have a very mild case. Anyone who snap shoots, freezes, etc. has target panic. Fred Bear had it, he was just able to do the same thing over and over.

[@tanner2883]

Had this issue when I first started with traditional archery, I always seemed to do worse whenever I thought about it. I started to realize I was thinking to much about my shot that my focus wasn't on the game I was taking. The way I surpassed and have taken game was to be "stupid". Don't think about it just do what feels natural. Results may very what arrow your set up is, but it truly helped me.

[@robertcarte95]

Yep. Know all about it. Over it now from the three second drill. I

[@ncsaddlehunter77]

I was going to recommend that he come to your channel and learn the 3 second drill from you.

[@paulegerton2012]

Great video on a difficult problem, i look forward to your next videos showing your way of overcoming target panic, i hope your recovery goes well

[@chuckratliff2474]

It started to get me on the 3D course last year slow draw short draw like hitting a brick wall man you'll be fine brother just get it out of your head thanks for the video

[@kennylainhart7148]

Thanks Jeff, great advice and videos, Adrenaline dones crazy things to us in situations!!! My process is Focus ( lined up) anchor ( Bone on Bone) execute ( pull through) shot!!!

[@mikewolfe6496]

I live it daily. Lol. However, so far not on a live animal. Maybe luck, I don’t know. Your tip on full expansion has definitely helped me though. Getting back in full alignment has been the trick so far. Hope you get it under control, thanks for sharing.

[@ncsaddlehunter77]

Robert Carter does an amazing job of explaining some great techniques for curing this problem.

[@jeffbruner5207]

I highly reccomend Joel Turner!!! SHOT IQ COURSE. You can learn a whole lot about shot decipline. good luck! love the channel

[@richarddavis8401]

I hate to hear that you’re dealing with this, Jeff. I can tell you as someone who’s had it, dealt with it and still subject to getting it now. I dealt with it the most many years ago shooting in everything from local small town 3D tournaments to ASA Pro Ams from Gainesville, FL to Evansville, IN and all points in between. I dealt with it during winter leagues that were held INDOORS AT 20 yds! I’ve even dealt with a form of it shooting clays competitively over the last 30+ years. I’m sure you know this already, but it’s a mental disconnect somewhere between your brain and your trigger/release (whether it’s actually your trigger finger or in your case, your right hand). Your mind is so used to the shot happening automatically when your sight picture is right, but suddenly one day you fail to follow through. Therefore, it becomes a collapse within the shot sequence, which is actually in your form. I’ll tell you what helped me more than anything was going back to blind baling. I would stand in front of a blank bale with no targets and pound that target from 5 to 10 yards away for 30 minutes or so or until I started getting fatigued. I would increase the distance gradually to 20 yards until I got my form back. Then introduce a 5-spot target or a single dot. It’s aggravating as heck and it takes some time to get it back. It may take a month or maybe only a few days; it’s different for everyone. Praying for you, brother and I hope you shake it soon. Thanks for all your content. I still shoot a compound but at this stage in my hunting life I’ve wandered back to trad archery (it’s actually never left me; I’ve always loved it and recently decided to give it another go) and your channel has really helped me more than you’ll ever know. God bless you, man. Take care.

[@Dixiebowhunter]

I have had this problem lately, I get rid of it and comes back evrey time, And a while back last deer season I had a slim shot at a doe and there was 5 more deer out there and they were so nervous, So as soon as it turned I took the shot, And i had to take the shot so fast because it was about to run so I shot and didnt hit a good anchor and barley hit enough under that deer to get hair. That was my last chance for that hunting season so i decided to get serious about it and started to look it up on KZbin and i think the best help for me was a video that the NUsensi made. I hope you get over this jeff it honestly makes it unfun to shoot ur bow.

[@blind-dateoutdoorssportsma547]

I'm not worried, Jeff, don't ovwrthink it. Just keep slinging them arrows. But hey, to help you think about something else. I have a 54 inch, 45 lb @ 23 inch Thunderchild longbow due to arrive in February and could always use your thoughts on an arrow setup. On a side note I'm 64, and 64 inches short, lol. From watching your videos, I'd say 28 inch 600 dark timber tip with a 100 gr insert and 165 simmons. But I'm open to suggestions. That may not be enough FOC. Maybe an idea for a video. Thanks for the videos.

[@george2099]

Great video!! Jason @ Samco Tradbow and Robert Carter both have had it my self included!! had to work through it!! I just got mad and told my self I'm not gonna make a bad shot and be out all night tracking. Get mad and focus on the shot! Worked for me. Thanks for your video's.

[@blind-dateoutdoorssportsma547]

It's mind over matter. Never question yourself. Always have the mindset of confidence. When things go wrong, never get mad. Instead, laugh it off. Shit happens. Focus, be confident, and let her rip. Overthinking will cost you.

[@DaveSeemanGolf]

Great video! I'm sorry to hear that you're struggling! I have a few questions for you and was wondering how I can contact you other than on here?

[@hunterwommack5014]

Hey Jeff I see a handful of your sanlida archery videos are missing. Was trying to find the video were you build Black Death but couldn’t find it

[@denniscleveland669]

Robert Carter recently went through it.

[@donaldbuckner2935]

TP really takes the fun out of archery. Years ago I had it so bad I was afraid I would shoot the ceiling or a wall at an indoor range. I just stopped shooting. I hope you regain control over the shot. You are normally a shooting machine! It it gets worse, some type of clicker helps. I know you used one fairly recently but not for long. Good luck.

[@PrestonMinney]

Grate video !! I was wounding if you can put lighted nocks in wood arrows ? If so can you make a video of it ? And can you add enough weight to make a650 to 700 gpi or something that is a good hunting arrow for a40 to 45 lb bows? For I have a 28in drow .I like a 2inches beyond the back or riser. I haven't had target panic as yet I am lucky nock on wood for I am 67 .and been hunting for 55 years so I do like knowing what to do if I would get it so thanks

[@buckglenn8018]

I have no problem with live game or shooting target by myself at my home range. I get target panic at 3d shoots when I put pressure myself to make a shot. I pluck the string, or jerk my bow arm, or I fail to focus on a spot, any number of different things cause me to blow up. This is the kind of target panic I neeed help with.

[@johnwilson3891]

Hang in there, good luck 👍

[@timbo749]

Hey Jeff, i can draw and hold my bow for more than 30 seconds, how can i tell if i am overbowed?, im currently @ 50# with a 26" draw, if i drop down to 45# limbs what would i actually be drawing? i don't take hunting shots beyond 13 yrds.

[@robertpeters6923]

Been there and done that with trad bows, compounds, and guns. Been deer hunting over sixty years, and have taken a lot of deer and turkeys but i have missed a lot in my hunting years. Just hang in there and it will pass.

[@budcat2]

Nice

[@stevenparsons4464]

You are overthinking "the handling" of target panic. The targer shooter Jake Kaminski suffers from target panic also. It is a matter of not having fun fun. You're weather stressed. You're physically stressed. Possibly dehydrated and awashed in cortisol. Did you see "the donut"? Did you have tunnel vision?

[@papawsplace]

Mr. Jeff, that was the Archery Gods bringing you back done to earth. 🤣🤣 I've archery hunted all my life (compound bows) and I've always said, when a person tells me they never missed a deer, not only do I know but I would just say you've never shot at enough yet. It's going to happen, and I don't care who you are or what the reason for it. Now this year at age 55 I decided to add Trad bows to my arsenal and boy has it been a challenge, I came across you channel after getting into Trad bows and respect you for what you do and say BUT there are times I think, He thinks he's better than he really is. (Just being honest here) Anyways love your videos brother and as always, my saying is, it's always tomorrow to kill that long nose Heifer. Can't kill them without going/shooting at them for-sure.

[@jaredross8840]

Hello Jeff i'm trying to find a hermit x8 62" at 40 pounds can't seem to find that on Amozon just a 60" could you point me in the right direction please not sure who to get ahold of thank you

[@jblanla]

What bow is that Jeff? Same thing happen to me with a big bear at 16 yards

[@davemartin8113]

Yea it happens sometimes with years in between episodes imm sixty years old and can't tell when or why it's gunna happen but it's only on deer and only on very close spitting distance deer that show up out of thin air that I didn't hear or see come in so with me it's the surprise that I wasn't expecting of course YMMV lol.

[@Hopeknives13]

Thanks for this. I practice fine then deer comes in and I hold below deer and can’t seem to get my arm up then I must jerk it up and shoot high. Frustrating

[@clebermfog]

The same God you pray for gave the deer more days to live than you wanted to take away.

[@davida.4933]

This is getting ridiculous.

[@LouisSinko]

I watched earlier videos where you shot split finger this video on the miss deer you shot 3 under

[@EspenLundgaard]

If you introduce the feather to nose technique as a trigger into your shot process, I’m sure that you, with your shooting skills, will be dead on every single time, as you usually are🎯

[@cooterbrown1703]

What state do you hunt?

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

@@cooterbrown1703 north Alabama

[@cooterbrown1703]

@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998 nice. I'm in South alabama, but I hunt North alabama some. My daughter lives there.

[@unknown-archer]

women hate that mr jeff...😂

[@robertalexander658]

buck fever buddy.

[@unknown-archer]

premature release not same as target panic but that is my opinion mr jeff... thanks for the video

[@kevinemard5370]

Hunt hard. Ive seen the way you shoot. You just need to relax and believe in your abilities. Do not fear missing the animal. Also if you have changed gear go back to what you were using before

[@timswwwadventures]

Sounds more like buck fever to me Jeff. Nerves got the best of you. Maybe. Don't over think it .

[@jerrypoling3106]

Trump2025

[@instinctiveaddictionarcher8998]

@@jerrypoling3106 Amen brother!

[@erikstrass807]

👍