How do you guys control Buck Fever? I have killed over 30 deer with a rifle and a couple with a handgun. Sometimes I don't get the shakes, adrenalin rush or how ever you describe it. What happens to me is “after†I shoot I get the shakes and the muscles in my back tighten up and they can hurt a lot. It doesn’t happen all of the time though sometimes it won’t happen for a couple of years.

What would you say is the best way to control this problem? It hasn’t cost me accuracy but it is aggravating to have to wait to calm down to go after a deer.

When I quit getting it, I'll hang up my hunting gear.

I don't look for that to ever happen. Grew Up hunting w/ my grandpa and he got excited up to the last year he was w/ us and he managed to bag 12 whitetails that year. I'd love to see him get pumped up about again, good times.

Reloader

When sighting the deer and aiming at it. I look for a particular spot on the animal and stop looking at the antlers, etc. I concentrate on a particular patch of hair or a crease or something and stop looking at the whole animal.

The shakes after it's over is fine, actually it's great!

#1 - pee your pants
#2 - go home and have 4 or 5 shots of good scotch
#3 - jump the old lady
#4 - go to bed and come back in the morning

I have never had it.I just look at the animal as a target.Either as it's internal organs or just what I normally shoot at the range.

Bulldog563:

My dad used to say that what makes for buck fever is that you already see the buck up on the wall!

Me? I wait... put the gun on safety... wait till it fades, then get a shot before it comes back...

and count me in the me, that if I get to where I don't get buck fever anymore, i'll quit hunting!

jeffe

I think training and reflex action are the keys to buck fever. I always get excited as others when I see the one I want to take a shot at. But as soon as I raise the scope on him and take off the safety, then I get really focussed on hitting the target.

quote:

Originally posted by MontMike:
I think training and reflex action are the keys to buck fever. I always get excited as others when I see the one I want to take a shot at. But as soon as I raise the scope on him and take off the safety, then I get really focussed on hitting the target.

I've never had it either, though from time to time I'll start salivating thinking of the fine meals to come

I look at an animal and I see steaks, roasts
stew, chili and mabey some meatloaf

Hmmm... I think I'm gonna go dig a loin roast out of the freezer...

AllanD

More than anything is the importance of remaining in control of the situation. Don't allow the thought that the deer/animal is going to win the encounter. Positive mind set: I am going to kill this buck/bear whatever, and I am going to do it well and proudly. I would add that to think kill is better than to think shoot/hit/whatever. Go the distance!

The best way to overcome Buck fever is to train with your rifle often. Concentrate on your breathing and trigger squeeze until it is automatic every time you look through the scope. Every time you feel yourself get excited, concentrate on your breathing.

John