When you are at the shooting range, we shoot in a controlled environment and usually at targets that are not moving. On the other hand, when hunting, the emotion and pressure to shoot are different when you have your prey in front of you, and, normally, many hunters change our way of aiming at the moment of truth, which can result in us missing the shot. This happens with all hunters but is more noticeable with archers. This is why the importance of maintaining your shooting form when hunting.
The importance of maintaining your shooting form when hunting
The problem of rushing
We have all experienced the famous buck fever when we see our prey; if we add the uncertainty that that long-awaited trophy will move away or scare away before we can shoot, it worsens our situation. Although this last scenario is a possibility, it does not mean that it will happen, but the combination of doubt, nerves, and emotion are in charge of playing with us. What is certain is that as hunters, we are aware that we only have one chance, and we want to take advantage of it.
Eliminate the temptation to rush the shot, which leads us to make poor decisions in actually simple situations. The important thing is not to succumb to doubts, fears, and mental and emotional lack of control of the situation, to avoid reacting and having a controlled shot fired. You also want to avoid these mistakes.
The correct strategy
Mental Game
The moment you become aware, you trained, prepared, and are there to hunt your prey, the odds turn in your favor, and you are not going to rush the shot. The fact that we have management over our body and decisions is key to success; however, part of this mental game is to be aware of external factors, as the dam.
I’m trying to say that there is always the possibility that something will happen that is out of our control, and we will fail or miss that opportunity. It would help if you were prepared to accept defeat. you would always keep attention while shooting. So, you can use in-ear electronic hearing protection for shooting.
Aim correctly
Before taking the shot, you need to decide where you will aim … If you thought the vitals, you are wrong! Why? Very simple, your bullet or arrow needs to go through the vitals of your prey, but for your projectile to hit the vitals, you need to define the entry point and the exit point; in such a way that between these two points are the vital ones.
It all depends on your prey’s position and posture; if we think about the ideal shot, where the prey is completely on its side, and you have a clean shot, where would you aim if you have to shoot down at ground level or up? Do you understand what I’m trying to tell you?
To identify the entry and exit point, imagine that your prey’s body is transparent and that the vitals are a ball. Now, draw an imaginary line such that it passes through the center of the ball. If you follow this line’s entire trajectory, in which part of the body (transparent) does it touch when entering and when leaving? Now you know where to aim! I recommend these tips to stalk your prey.
If you are an archer, keep in mind that arrows are very susceptible to any obstacle along the way. There will be occasions when there are bones in the trajectory you draw that could lead to having a badly injured animal.
Approach to the trigger point
It doesn’t really matter how you aim, as long as you are consistent. When all your shots are consistent, they are perfect, and this automatically eliminates the urge to pull the trigger or release the arrow early.
Do it gently so that this way, you can follow the shot well. On the contrary, if you see the animal and shoots, you can try to approach the shooting point from below. In this way, when you shoot, you will be on or near the vitals. Although this shot is not recommended, you will be able to kill cleanly when aiming.
Stick to your shooting routine
Don’t reinvent your shot just because your prey is close. Maintaining your shooting form when hunting is key. Aim and shoot the same way you do when you’re practicing. If your routine takes 5-6 seconds before shooting, don’t change it! The changes and experiments leave them for practice.
When timing is everything
Hitting the trigger is not an option; however, as in everything, there are always exceptions. Not for you to hit the trigger, but to get things done faster. For example, the prey is walking and passes close to you, it is an opportunity that you cannot miss, so you decide to shoot. The shot’s timing is critical, and you won’t be able to aim for 5-6 seconds. When you need to take a quick shot, do it the same way you normally would, pick a small spot, but pull the trigger in one smooth motion.
Practice at the shooting range is never going to replace a real case. However, repeating our way of shooting over and over again gives us security and certainty when the moment of truth arises.
Do you have any experience?
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