Getting Through Buck Fever
The first time I saw a buck walk under my treestand, I was about 14 years old. I about fell to the ground from a mix of fear and excitment and if it weren’t for my Dad sitting right there with me whispering to calm down, I very well might have met an untimely demise on the forest floor some 25 feet below. Any of you have hunted wild game can attest that there is such a thing as Buck Fever – that anxious, shaking pain in the ass thing that you can never seem to shake and always seems to show up at exactly the wrong time. Deer hunting is tough enough as it is. Patience, cunning and a bit of luck are all at play – and to have that all ruined by an errant arrow due to the shakes is a tough pill to swallow. So, here are a few tips that I have picked up from various sources on how to combat buck fever and bag a trophy buck as easy as if you were riding a bike.
First, and maybe most importantly is to bowhunt a lot. Buck Fever most always rears its ugly had when you have a buck at close range. Spending time out in the field hunting as much as possible, as well as at the range perfecting your craft can go a long ways in making you feel more comfortable when the time comes.
Secondly, being around game animals frequently can help calm your nerves once hunting season rolls around. Take some time scouting before the season even begins and sit in your stand or blind. Chances are that you will encounter deer, turkey and whatever kind of wild game resides in your neck of the woods.
Thirdly, be proficient enough in your bowhunting skills to make them second nature. The slightest doubt in your ability to place an arrow in the vitals of a deer (or any other animal for that matter) will ultimately doom you and make you nervous. You should be able to hunt with some level of swagger and confidence.
Finally, being able to know what to focus on is a major factor to fighting buck fever. It comes almost naturally to look at that beautiful ivory rack and start to drool. That is the biggest mistake a bowhunter can make. You need to be able to distance yourself from that and focus on where you are going to place your shot.
These are just a few tips to combat buck fever. We’ve all had it or know someone who has so spread the word and maybe this knowledge can help stop this disease from becoming pandemic in scale.