Lilhunter

sounds to me like you are tense when you are shooting (gripping the bow causes tension also). Also possibly locking out your elbow or both! Relax and drop that elbow just slightly and dont try to force the bow to do nothing.

Ky_Bowhunter

All the equipment wont make a difference. Im the opposite. If i make a bad shot on a deer its because i drop my arm trying to see the arrow hitting the deer. Sometimes its hard to use good form when you get buck fever<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

Jawbone

Are you shooting from an elevated stand? If so, you might want to pick a lower spot on the deer as they have a tendency to dip down when they hear the bow go off. Always aim a little lower when shooting from an elevated stand. Plus the speed of sound always travels faster than any arrow. It sure doesnt sound like equipment problems. It sounds like form. Dont jerk the release or slam your finger on the release trigger. If you are not using back tension in your release process, i sugest you learn how. It will increase your accuracy like ya wouldnt believe. Increasing you bow weight will only worsen the problem IMO. This may not be your problem, but it certainly wouldnt hurt to try it!......Jaw

HAWKEYES

Ok, now that I know a little more about your hunting situation, one more question for you. You stated your right on target when shooting paper, but go to pieces when shooting at a deer, right. I am going to assume you practice while standing and most likely shoot at the deer while kneeling. Do you practice in the situation you hunt in. What I mean by this is do you shoot in the off season how you would in the woods while hunting, kneeling, setting etc..... Sometimes we tend to shoot very good while standing, then shoot while sitting at game and miss or get a bad hit. When you shoot from a sitting position, you use different muscles than from standing or kneeling. I can slap vanes at 20 yards in my 3D in the back yard all summer, and then try from a sitting position and I am off my mark. I know this in advance so I always shoot from a standing position at game. You have gotten some excellent advice from above posts, use the off season to get your form down and if need be try a little range time at a local pro shop. Good Luck and Happy Hunting.

Hucklburry

IMHO, YOU DO NOT NEED A BOW SLING.

Grab your bow and put an arrow on there and pull it back, just like you are going to shoot. (Assuming your right handed) is your left hand wrapped around the grip? Open your hand up so the bow is resting in the web of your hand between your index and thumb. Shoot the arrow, you will naturally catch the bow as it starts to fall. I shoot like that all time. Don't worry about the bow falling, you will catch it by reflex.

In fact, shoot 3 arrows with a closed hand, then shoot 3 arrows with your hand open. Go look at the arrows in the target, the arrows you shot with an open hand will be sunk about 1&quot; deeper into the target than the ones you shot closed hand.

Your hand is not absorbing any energy, and it is also not hindering the bow from exerting energy. I am not an expert, but this works very well for me. I hope you give it a try.

--Jim

55#recurve

If u can get into shooting the automated target systems, with deer and moose and so on, I would try that, it puts you in a situation where you are shooting at a moving animal in a wooded area. Its fun, and takes care of any panic. Good luck.
Dylan

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billygoat

kreg, sounds like alot of good advice. Thanks for the question, I think I learned something too. Good Luck!

cyclone

All good advice above but, if you are on target at the range it isn't target panic. Sounds to me like a bit of the big FEVER.

You are looking for the hit, not good form. Listen for the hit don't try to PEEK. Convince yourself that you cannot see an arrow hit at twenty yards, convince yourself that the arrow is as fast as a speeding bullet and look for signs of a hit after the shot.

Sooner or later you'll hear the hit(It is a most unmistakable sound) and not see it and gain confidence.

kreg

Thanks for all the advice! A lot of you said something about &quot;wanting to see the arrow hit&quot; or &quot;excited about hitting it&quot; or &quot;not worrying about form&quot;, thats exactly what I do wrong, I am always anxious to get the deer.
With that sticker idea, I might try that, sounds like a good idea.
Thanks again