The Mental Game -
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​A lot of people do their shot process, and they go through that process or a shooting style, or whatever you want to call it. And what they forget about is that mental application to the game.

When it comes to target panic, I witnessed this firsthand when guiding off and on, one of the most evident issues was folks not used to being really close to game animals.

This is where the predator’s mindset comes into play.

I am always making comparisons to the difference between an archer who does not hunt and a bowhunter- there must be a synthesis for the
HUNT part to work! Shooting a bow is a skillset, hunting with one adds a completely different dimension that is far from a sanitized range and target butts. Applying the ability to hit a living target is not the same as a target face. Just as boards don’t hit back, targets, bullseyes, and 3D do not move! This is precisely why I am so adamant that bowhunters practice under similar conditions with the same equipment and clothing and shot presentation they will be hunting under.

Your mental process will develop with this form of training and with time- yes TIME in the woods will hone this mental fortitude.

For it is time, process and application that will develop the bowhunter- this is a game of inches - a game of getting close, a game of stealth and silence. As you develop along this path, so to will your patience. Things will slow down when an animal approaches, not speed up.

It is one thing to glass and animal and take it with a rifle at 300 yards; yes, there is some skill to a degree. It is an entirely different scenario altogether to get within 20 yards of an animal that does not know you are there - keep composed and make an ethical shot resulting in a quick recovery.

I’ve seen it time and again, when an animal begins to close the distance and that sense of urgency kicks in, just to get that shot off as fast as possible. Instead of slowing down and having intention with your weapon, no matter what the platform is. Your intention should be to place that arrow into the vitals of the animal period!

What I mean, by intention, is to ensure that your arrow placement is good, you’ve shot from many different positions. That starts with what's upstairs, how you trained shooting for the very situations you are hunting in. If you have that struggle stick mentality that will start to become a crutch for you for that mental prep. I am extremely confident in my ability not just from my experience and my background, but because I've shot it so much that I know within my effective lethal range that my placements pretty spot on. You've got to have that mindset.

A lot of folks, call it struggle stack because they throw occasional arrow. Well, guess what? I've got news for you. Everyone misses! The best snipers in the world, they miss. The best shots with anything, any platform.

I don't care whether you're doing three-gun competitions, cowboy competitions, Trap, Skeet, long range marksmanship, IPSIC pistol or tossing darts at your local pub - it doesn't matter. Recurve, long bow self bow compound, everybody misses. Gap, Instinctive, split vision, string walking - you will miss!

Accepting that and maintaining a routine of maintenance that fits you not the shot pros than never seem to miss on social media and the hunting shows!
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​The best shots in the world don't count what they were doing when they missed. They focus on what they're doing when they are on target.
And I encourage you to maintain a positive mindset when shooting your traditional bow.
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​If you look at your bow as a “struggle stick” it will manifest into just that!

Vary your shooting and be sure to checkout our Traditional Bowhunting app for shooting tips specific to hunting situations!