It’s opening day of Deer Season 2025, at least for gun hunters. So much preparation and anticipation goes into this annual activity. For some, it involves year round scouting. As the days of the hunt draw near, serious planners consider not only deer sign, but wind direction. As such, they would do well to have back up sites ready to go based on this factor alone.
For those hunters fortunate enough to have a shooting opportunity, their next challenge is surviving a sudden surge of adrenaline that at times does not serve them well at that fateful moment. Unofficial surveys have shown that 68 to 79% of deer hunters have fallen victim to this fight or flight response known as “buck fever.
There is science behind this phenomenon. The excitement and stress of the moment causes a surge in adrenaline leading to a “fight or flight” response. When this happens, the heart rate and blood pressure instantly increases which causes involuntary shaking, shortness of breath, dry mouth, and loss of fine motor control. In essence, there’s a momentary disconnect between the body and the brain. All this does not serve the hunter well if he or she is unable to manage their response. Quietly taking a deep breath may help unless it causes you to fog the scope on your gun. (This once happened to someone close to me.)
The risk may be less for the well prepared hunter. However, depending on the size of the rack on a particular deer, all bets are off as far as a guarantee of composure, no matter how much experience a hunter has. Whatever happens, it’s all part of your story, one to be rehashed year after year at deer camp and beyond.
In closing, good luck, hunters. Though it may sound cliche’, remember that whether or not you tag a deer, it’s about the journey, not the destination.
- The Science of Buck Fever - November 13, 2025
- “The Chamber Flashbacks” – Holly Holy - October 18, 2025
- “The Chamber of Flashbacks” – The Kid In The Candy Shop - October 11, 2025