Buck fever....

[okrattler]

After reading some of the replies from the thread I started about missing deer I realized adrenaline doesn't affect some people near as much as it does others. Or maybe it does in different ways. How hard does it hit you? I've had it hit me hard at times,sometimes more than others for some reason or another. But I can't say it's ever been uncontrollable to the point that I couldn't function or make clear decisions or just flat couldn't control my actions.

I try not to let that come into play until after I've shot something. The only time adrenaline ever hits me hard to the point that my hands feel jittery or I'm noticeable shaky is after I've handled a large venomous snake. I block all of that out before and during. I know if I don't that's a good way to screw up royally.

How do you handle adrenaline,or do you?

[flywise]

Very rarely if ever gets me these days. If it does its after the shot. Not sure why other than age because I dont actively try to suppress it.

[okrattler]

Very rarely if ever gets me these days. If it does its after the shot. Not sure why other than age because I dont actively try to suppress it.

I think that's when you know you've killed a pile of 'em. I still get excited about things no matter what I'm shootin just not to where it gets me all worked up to the point that I feel overwhelmed. I think the more opportunities you have the less likely you are to have that feeling that the critter you're looking at can hear your heart beat. It's still fun,still exciting or I wouldn't do it. All I focus on is making a humane kill and that's probably what keeps the nerves steady too.

As for handling rattlesnakes that's a different thing altogether I guess. I've done that a lot and it still gets the blood pumping pretty good. It's good for the heart. Keeps fear out of it.

[N.DaWoods]

I would get it when I used to gun hunt. But since I only bowhunt now, I think the processes involved in getting off a shot help me stay more focused. For example, figuring distance, waiting for right time to draw, anchoring shot, breathing out, etc. For me the routine helps. Would probably work with rifle hunting as well if you have an established routine, not just there's the deer..boom. thats just my opinion

[Big pig]

I would get it when I used to gun hunt. But since I only bowhunt now, I think the processes involved in getting off a shot help me stay more focused. For example, figuring distance, waiting for right time to draw, anchoring shot, breathing out, etc. For me the routine helps. Would probably work with rifle hunting as well if you have an established routine, not just there's the deer..boom. thats just my opinion

Good theory. I am in “auto pilot until after the shot. Much worse for me when I am “guiding” my girls.

BP

[BURTONboy]

I get pretty shook up at the point I decide I am going to take an animal. It seems worse on does than bucks actually. But when I draw back my bow or get settled in with a gun, I get pretty calm. Afterwards I get pretty nervous about what just transpired and how my shot was, but not too shaken up. Just more excited than anything.


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[Buckwheat]

I still get it. With a rifle it’s not as bad but it’s there. With a bow I can control it(or have been able to so far) before the shot. But after an archery shot I’m messed up like a soup sandwich. It’s taken me 30-45 minutes to calm down enough to fell safe climbing out of the tree.

Now if I’m rifle hunting and someone with me is doing the shooting , a kid or my wife or a newbie, I get the uncontrollable shakes. The longer it takes them to shoot the worst it gets.

If I ever loose that feeling I’ll have to find a different way to hunt or give it up.


“There's more fun in hunting with the handicap of the bow than there is in hunting with the sureness of the gun.” -Fred Bear-

[gatt40]

Never had that feeling in 60 yrs of rifle hunting. After I started bow hunting the last 10 yrs I finally felt the excitement and adrenaline rush when I killed my first whitetail buck.

[bullets13]

It’s worse for me if I have to wait for a shot. Killed a nice buck with a rifle this weekend and once I figured out I wanted to take him he was looking at me and I got the gun up and made the shot in about 5 seconds. It didn’t hit me at all.

[sotx]

Good theory. I am in “auto pilot until after the shot. Much worse for me when I am “guiding” my girls.

BP

This. I think control/auto pilot comes with experience. The more you hunt the better you get at the task at hand. Now when you are not in control, as in like Big pig said "guiding" my girls, that's when it gets to me as well. You are sitting there eyes glued on the animal hoping and praying for a good shot, a clean kill. The anticipation is excruciating, but oh so much fun at the same time. You are filled with horror and joy all at once. Not only do you want a swift clean kill for the animal but for your kid/hunter as well. Its a blast and why we do it. And if they screw up you call Roy and he brings out Rufus and you go on another adventure.
I remember well my first kill. Rifle up on my shoulder, heavy breathing, heart pounding, scope fogging up, cross hairs all over the place. Put the gun down calm myself. Then try again. Third time was a charm.

[Hammer-1]

I usually only get it bow hunting on my first shot of the year. This past weekend I picked the bow back up to fill my last tag in Arkansas. Had a small, but legal buck at 35 yrds. I had to stand up and turn right in my stand for the shot. Buck was getting behind me. My safety line was in my shoulder. The combination of everything not being perfect gave me a good bit of the fever. My sight was bouncing everywhere with each heart beat. I had to let down and let him walk. He'll be back.


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[Grndchecker]

I get it every time after a bow shot, even pigs. I stay focused and make the shot and then it hits me. Rifle shots not so much unless it’s a big buck.
My son gets it bad. He shot a buck he really worked hard for last weekend. He called me while I was still in my stand and I could hear it in his voice. Of course I asked him what was wrong and then laughed at/with him. Hope he keeps that passion.

[jshouse]

When our target walked out Tuesday my 11yo son was shaking like a leaf, he looked at me and took a big deep breath and got on the gun and made a perfect shot.

It was pretty cool to see him gather himself like that since it's something I have told him to do and he doesn't often do what dad says

[ca1219]

I haven't had it prior to shooting since I was a kid. Only after the shot is off do I get it now.

[Dakota7493]

The longer it takes for me to get a shot the worse it is. If it’s fairly quick then I shake like a leaf after.