Target Panic!!!

[old killer]

Quite often the problem comes from fear of not being able to hold steady on the target.Try using a piece of cardboard attached to your bale and put 1 8 or 10 inch dot on it. Don't try to be pin point, as long as the pin is in the circle just make a good shot.
If the dot is large enough you want be worried about being too percise with your aiming. As you become more calm behind the sight you can slowly reduce the size of the dot.

[3children]

Stay at 10yds or less, if you have to, get closer!! Shoot at spots until you get a 300 60X score. It will be easy at that distance to get a 200 or so, what you are doing is training the mind that it is not hard to stay on target and shoot the X!! After, move out another 5 yds and start again.

[tomcat8910]

The carter evolution release will help with this problem. It's a true back tension/resistance release that allows you to concentrate on the target and not about pulling the trigger. You can go to carterenterprises.com and read more about this release.

[Bill]

There was a good thread on this on the campfire recently with suggestions.

[JVasquez]

Yes a backtension release and yes to Carter releases!

[chris1911]

stand right in front of the target and shoot with your eyes closed for awhile....dont shoot any arrows with your eyes open! do this for a week or two then open your eyes and, still standing right in front of the target, shoot. after awhile you wont "punch" the trigger. if it comes back start over.....no joke it cured me.

[Lenny]

Try getting a couple of yards from a blank target and draw, anchor aim in the middle area of the target and close your eyes (keep the bow steady) and breathe and focus on putting your thumb or finger on the trigger and squeeze your shoulder blades together (back tension) while being steady. This will cause the trigger to trip and the shot to fire while your on target. Do this over and over till you can focus on a dime sized target and focus on the arrow hitting that spot then your release will become second nature like posted above. Hinge releases like atexx2 said will work but if target panic is bad enough even these cant stop it. Hope this helps

I agree. This is the only thing that I have used with success.

[Head Hunter]

Lots of good suggestions here. Here are another couple of things to try I have a 2 releases that are hydraulic and release on thier own any where from 4 to 6 seconds all you do is hold and not worry about setting off the trigger. This helped me a ton with my target panic. Also if you are shooting a lense or scoped type sight try finding one with a circle instead of a pin, dot, or crosshair as not having a definitive point to hold on target and that will help a ton. Your mind and eye has a natural ability to center so circles work well. JMO from someone who struggled with target panic badly and quit shooting competion for 6 years.

[gusman]

shot process, blind shots, start again at 10yds. on a spot, good luck.

[0007]

all good sugestions I have a buddy in OK who went through this but couldnt find info. I will be sending him this page.

[chris1911]

also, while standing 10ft from target, i would draw and hold and dig the trigget in deep at the first knuckle from the palm. i would shoot just hold then let down. seems like using the tip of your finger makes you wanna jerk more. that was another thing i tried but to me standing 10ft,eyes closed, trigger dug in deep and squeezing my shoulder blades together did it.

[BrianL]

Big target, short distance. Like paper plate big at 10 yards. Keep the same size target all the way back. Sometimes it is hard to hold on 3" at 30 and your mind starts battling your body.

[Lowe]

A back tension release shot correctly will cure your problems, it takes practice and patience to learn to shoot it properly but will definately be worth it. I am probably the odd man out here but I refuse to shoot the "punch-a-matic" (wrist type with index finger trigger) release, and yes I have hunted with a back tension release for about 8 years.

[Skinny]

At full draw, while your pin is "floating" around the bullseye, apply forward pressure with your bow arm and apply steady pressure on your release trigger with your index finger...not the tip of your finger, but back closer to your hand. This will cause the bow to fire without you "punching" the trigger. Not the only way, but the way I have been shooting here lately, and it has helped me.

[Mike Javi Cooper]

No amount of blank baling, release changes, or other tricks will “fix” target panic unless and until you address the root cause... To do that you need a coach who understands the condition and the causes; but most of all you need the desire and commitment to follow through on the cure…