Buck Fever is when the hunter sees wild game, such as deer, and has intent to harvest/kill, your body releases adrenaline which readies us for what is immediately about to unfold as a fight or to get away… flight.

Adrenaline comes from our ancestral protection mechanism biologists and anthropologists call “fight-or-flight”. 

Adrenaline provides a heightened-state -of-being and is an essential element veteran hunters seek. The moment of truth is exhilarating for many, me included.

Buck Fever can often come with nervousness, heavy breathing, elevated blood pressure, and the shakes known as “buck-fever.” Hunter’s have even fallen from their tree-stand from uncontrolled shakes. 

Some of this heightened state is good, however, too often, new hunters and some older hunters lose the ability to control it during the shot sequence.

I was reminded of the story of the hunter who aimed and working the bolt emptied the cartridges, where, nary a shot was fired, yet later swore he or she shot the rifle 5 times.

Recently a guide recalls a bear hunter who shot a bear, and the guide said; “Shoot him again” and the hunter did not completely eject the round. Some guides call it short-stroking the bolt”.

Even veteran hunters who do not practice multiple shots experience this if not practiced. 

Adrenaline is an essential part of hunting, but, to be successful, the hunter must control the adrenaline.

I find that hunting where there is abundant game like bird hunting for example, allow us to experience it.

Accordingly, after repeated exposure to, say a bird flushing or ducks coming to your decoys, yes, you missed, but another chance and you are successful.

Your brain learns adrenaline control over time.

Deer hunting here in New Hampshire you may not see game that often, thus adrenaline can be less controlled as say hunting deer in a state that has many deer and many hits of adrenaline. 

My hunt in Africa was a prime example of my guide/professional hunter (PH), got me to harvest lesser game animals while observing my buck fever.

Where game is aplenty, hunter learn to control the so-called “Buck Fever. ” 

Make the first shot count!

Aim small miss small!

Good Hunting!

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