buck fever
Shaky trigger finger
Buck fever is the nervous excitement a hunter feels when game appears, especially a deer—the trembling, racing heart, and impaired aim that can cause a clean shot to go wild.
The term extends to any anxious paralysis when the moment of action arrives: I had buck fever so bad I couldn't even raise my rifle.
Involuntary shaking motion
- shakingRapid involuntary movement
- sweatingMoisture through pores
- heart-poundingCausing intense physical excitement
- hyperventilationAbnormally rapid respiration
palpitations · shakiness · jitters · fidgeting · rapid pulse · dry mouth · shortness of breath · tunnel vision
State of eager enthusiasm
- adrenalineEmergency response hormone
- eagernessIntense willingness to act
- rushQuick sudden movement
- exhilarationIntense joyful excitement
buildup · moment of truth · close encounter · big game · climax
Uncontrollable sudden fear
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
- nervousnessState of anxious unease
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
- fearEmotional response to threat
unease · agitation · restlessness · apprehension · overwhelm · paralysis · mental block · choking
Deer species with pale underside
- deer standElevated hunting platform
- rifleLong-barreled shoulder weapon
- crosshairsIntersecting sighting lines
- stalkingStealthy, persistent pursuit
tracking · scouting · blaze orange · camouflage · bowhunting · field dressing · trophy · venison
Forested area
underbrush · terrain · game trails · habitat · wilderness · thicket · clearing · ridge
trembling
Involuntary shaking motion
- shakingRapid involuntary movement
- sweatingMoisture through pores
- heart-poundingCausing intense physical excitement
hyperventilation · palpitations · shakiness · jitters · fidgeting · rapid pulse · dry mouth · shortness of breath · tunnel vision · muscle tension
excitement
State of eager enthusiasm
- adrenalineEmergency response hormone
- eagernessIntense willingness to act
- rushQuick sudden movement
exhilaration · buildup · moment of truth · close encounter · big game · climax
panic
Uncontrollable sudden fear
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
- nervousnessState of anxious unease
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
fear · unease · agitation · restlessness · apprehension · overwhelm · paralysis · mental block · choking · self-doubt
whitetail
Deer species with pale underside
- deer standElevated hunting platform
- rifleLong-barreled shoulder weapon
- crosshairsIntersecting sighting lines
stalking · tracking · scouting · blaze orange · camouflage · bowhunting · field dressing · trophy · venison · quarry
woods
Forested area
silence · underbrush · terrain · game trails · habitat · wilderness · thicket · clearing · ridge · creek bottom
- huntingdeer hunting, hunting rifle, hunters, tracking, hunting license
buck feversteady nerves
Emotional stability under pressure
cool head · cool-headedness · nerves of steel · unflappability · sangfroid
buck, fever, bucks, bucked, bucking, fevers, feverish, feverishly, fevered