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From The Field
Testimonials From Our Clients
Chris Hill
Shot Control Clinic
When I met Joel I was a short drawing snap shooter that got worse the more stress I was in. Joel showed me the tools to get me in control of my shot under pressure. I have really noticed a difference shooting at animals. I am still excited when an animal shows up but I am able to talk myself into a calm well executed shot. My scores on the 3-D course have jump a considerable amount as well. It is hard work and I am still working on concentration during my shot but when I follow Joel’s system I am on the mark.
Adam Wood
Elk Calling
I have known Joel Turner for about 10 years and in 2013 I had the pleasure of hunting Wyoming with him. As we drove the 17 hours to our destination I listened with great anticipation as Joel explained what we were going to hear and how he was going to "bring that bull in on a rope". When we arrived at our destination the excitement couldn't have been higher. We loaded our packs with everything we would need for 5 days in the back country. The first night we were awoken by the clambering of horns as two Bulls fought just yards from our tents. Over the next two days we encountered several Bulls but now what we were looking for. On the third day Joel did his locate call and we got several responses and headed towards what Joel said was going to be a great bull. When we got close all of a sudden Joel motions for me to get to the edge of the hill. My heart was racing as I approached the ridge, when suddenly I saw the tips of horn coming straight towards me. I could hear Joel in my head telling "antler tips to eye balls is all the time you will to get to full draw". I immediately got to full draw and kneeled down as the antlers continued towards me. When the bull got to the top of the ridge he was about 7 yards away from me when he let out a deep bugle in response to Joel's "bull calling cows bugle". The bull was straight on and I contemplated taking the shot when I remembered Joel telling me that when the bull reaches the ridge he will parade left or right giving me a broad side shot. In what seemed like forever as I struggled to keep my bow at full draw the bull suddenly turned to his left and began his parade just as Joel had said. I let my arrow fly and watched as it buried in his right shoulder. The bull spun around and went back down the hill about 20 yards before piling up!! I had just killed my first bull with a bow (6X6) and credit Joel with the time he spent with me shooting and the amazing way he "speaks their language".
Thanks for the best hunt I have had in 32 years!!!
Eric Yost
Shot Control Clinic
I spoke to you last Thursday, 8/17 and we talked about my problems at the IBO Worlds, being committed to working for the system and the science of motor control feedback loop.
I just wanted to touch base with you as promised and to let you know that I really worked for the system at yesterday's tournament and the system worked. I really controlled each shot even though I was really on edge shooting with a lot of eyes on me at times. I was actually more nervous yesterday than at the IBO Worlds just two weeks ago. I consciously committed to the system for each shot yesterday and only failed on 3 out of the 57 shots (94% Success) for the course (that's a huge improvement in less than a week).
The course was very challenging and consisted of a combination of IBO 3D targets, and NFAA Field, Hunter, Animal, Vegas, and FITA target faces at distances up to 60 yards. In the end I earned first place, but more importantly I really gained a new hands on understanding of the system.
Your system has allowed me to crush my target panic and regain absolute control of my shot focus. I certainly could not have made it happen without your generosity and your time to personally answer my questions and to analyze my problems. Your explanation of what's going on in my head has really opened up a whole new world of shot control to me. I can't wait for your new book and video series to be released. It's hard to believe that I was a complete target panicked basket case just a few months ago just trying to make it through our winter 3D league in one piece.
Thank you and best of luck on your elk hunt!
BJ Hutsen
Shot Control Clinic
I have fought target panic most of my life in different forms. My shooting life is just like you described. I change things up and go through the cognitive learning stage and things improve but then when it becomes comfortable the target panic creeps back in. I've learned backtension for the last two years and I really have the process down. I shoot a ton better than I used too but things still catch up to me. I still find myself switching releases or looking for a different feeling in my release activation to keep me shooting well. When I watched your first you tube video and you spoke of the "central issue". It made me curious so I watched some more videos and finally it peeked my interest enough to buy the online course. I have to say it's probably (so far) the best money I've ever spent on archery. Everything in the video makes perfect sense and explains a lot of the issues that crop up. My goal when I started shooting backtension was to learn to use my release subconsciously and just focus on aiming. This is backwards to what you are teaching and although it has improved my shooting I still have moments or a few days at a time when everything breaks down. I'm aiming and aiming and it doesn't go off especially when there is some pressure so what do I do? I give my thumb that little twitch to finish the shot off. It happens under pressure in 3D shoots and it happened last year as I tried to take my backtension method to the tree stand while hunting. I still make pretty good shots this way MOST of the time but it's just a mental breakdown and I know it. When I heard you say that consentrating effort on aiming is a waste of time and you showed how naturally your mind and eye will bring things back to center I trusted it. The recoil reflex stuff so much sense. I really bought into this system! So knowing that I already know backtension I just went out and started off using the exact mantra you talk about in the videos. Instantly it clicked with me. All my thoughts are focus on the first step and the second step and every shot has surprised me and by passed my natural recoil reflex. I'm shooting my best arrow everytime. I've let down one time in about 100 shots or so because my mind wandered off of "keep pulling" but I noticed it I stopped my shot and started over and the next arrow was perfect. I'm working on adding some stress to my shooting and again this system hold up. I like to draw back anchor and then just shake my knees lightly to open my float up a little on purpose because if I get excited in a high stress situation that's what happens. I'm a little shaky and that's another time things like to break down. But now I just go through the steps.... I've aimed.., that part is done now I just watch it to keep it and keep pulling keep pulling keep pulling....shot goes and hits my spot even though I know my pin was dancing. This is so simple but so effective and I know it's going to stick with me, work under stress and take me to another level of shooting. I drew a dot about the size a skittle on a piece of paper and shot it 5 times at 15 yards. This is a stress for me because you can't keep a pin on something that small. But I worked with the system and after 5 arrows there was one hole in that piece of paper. Every single arrow hit the same hole!! It was about the size of a penny and 1/2 right of my dot with perfect hieght. Sorry this is a long message and I probably haven't gotten everything out that I've wanted to say but I'm a pretty solid archer by most people's standards and you have just given me the mental tools and shot process that can take me from solid to excellent. Can't wait to continue working and improving !! Thank you shooting is absolutely stress free and fun right now
Nate Simmons
Shot Control Clinic
I recently went through a tough spell dealing with target panic and had tried about every technique and device I could find to get me through it. While some things helped temporarily, I kept struggling to retain my confidence with pressure shots at animals. It wasn't until I met Joel and listened to his advise that I understood what the true problem was with my shooting and started having confidence again in pressured situations while hunting.
Nate Simmons
Producer, The Western Hunter TV
Gear Editor, Elk Hunter Magazine
Justin Jackson
Shot Control Clinic
As I was visiting exhibits at the 2009 RMEF convention, I heard the clearest, most realistic, cow calls echoing thru the halls; I told my friend Ron Owens, I've got to meet & become friends with whomever is making that mystical,magical sound! Lured in just like a "love sick" bull, I followed the perfectly pitched mews to the Cabela's booth which was being manned by my good friend Steve Chappell. Steve introduced me to the guy responsible for "Calling me in" & his name was Joel Turner. Being a student of the elk hunting game for nearly two decades I realized within minutes of our introduction, I could learn a lot from this fellow! Since that time, Joel & I have shared many elk camps, traditional archery shoots & countless days with Joel sharing his knowledge of elk calling techniques & tactics to applying the science of mental mechanics in the shooting world both archery & firearms. Joel is an exceptional teacher who not only possess the knowledge but also the patience & method of delivery that even the most stubborn can learn from!
Randy Flood
Shot Control Clinic
Archery Enlightenment
The illusions and falsities of good archery has eluded me for a decade plus of shooting traditional gear and 2.5 decades of total shooting bows and arrows. I have always been able to achieved and work towards a goal in my life, but good archery shooting has been the most difficult mental monster to tame.
I have above average athletic ability, above average intelligence, and above average dedication to getting better at shooting archery, but the results have up until my “ archery enlightenment” with Joel Turner been consistently below average, to downright disgusting.
This is coming from a guy that was runner up NCAA National Champion in Alpine skiing in 1998, Co-MVP of my High School soccer team, could do a standing backflip, and the first day I attempted a giant swing in gymnastics I was able to do it. I have never worked harder or been more dedicated than trying to get better at archery.
I have known that I have target panic for many years, and have tried so many different things to attempt to cure this bastard. I feel like I have tried everything short of retiring from bowhunting. I have read books, bought DVD’s and spent countless hours on Youtube, trying to figure this stuff out. I have bought shot trainers, clickers, done blank/blind bail shooting, and this summer I dedicated to 1,000 draws without shooting an arrow to attempt to get control. None of this stuff was working, because I did not know “the how” to concur the brain.
I knew I had two different forms of target panic, drive-by shootings, and not able to get to full draw. The drive by shooting occurred as a circumvent to short drawing. So I would draw off target, swing the bow to on target so as to have that nice feeling of being at full draw upon release. Nothing, I mean nothing I was doing allowed me be a good shot or have a shot that was in control.
This anger, frustration, finally motivated me to get Joel Turner to come to our area and present a class.
And his class, I call it my day of “archery enlightenment”, the combinations of 25 years of not understanding this enigma of shooting the bow and arrow well, when everything else in my life I could achieve.
For thousands of years, man has tried to better himself with the bow, and for thousands of years instructors have attempted to teach the shooting of the bow. It might be that Joel Turner is the first instructor in history to be able to take any archer to a place of shot control. Nothing I have every read, seen in a DVD or on Youtube Video compares to the experience of his class. For me, Joel Turner has been the Albert Einstein of archery.
I write this on the heels of just having taken the class, so I can’t present you with any accolades of archery accomplishments. I can only tell you that I have the confidence that I can walk onto a 3D target range and hit vitals every time.
And that my fellow archers is a far cry from where I was before taking instruction!
Harald Hugus
Shot Control Clinic
Elk Calling Class
Joel Turner is a master elk caller, hunter & shooting guru. I went to meet Joel about a week ago to discuss ways to better my archery shooting. I honestly learned more in 2 hours than I've learned in 5 years! His keenly developed shooting techniques are 2nd to none. He helped me create a shooting mindset that has created more confidence in my abilities. I have developed a solid mental routine for my pre-shot that can be perfectly repeated shot after shot. Target panic gone. Shot insecurities gone. Before Joel, I was never really accurate out to 40 yards and can now shoot accurately & comfortably out to 60. He's completely changed my archery mindset for the better in every way. I'll owe my coming elk hunting season success to him. And there now WILL be success in the field.
For ANY archer looking to improve their shooting and/or elk calling skills, I can't strongly urge you enough to reach out toJoel. Joel will help. Not only is he the best archery shooting instructor on the planet, he's also a heck of a nice person.
Thank you Joel for giving me the confidence in my archery skills to know I'll make that next shot in the field count!
Bill Swenson
Shot Control Clinic
Elk Calling Class
A hunter friend told me to Google Ironmind for info on a call that works to bring in bulls (bull calling cows call). I watched Joel's video and it made sense. Two days later I go to meet friends in the dark and wake up in the dark at a location I have never hunted. I wake up and we all scatter. I just start hiking and throwing out location bugles. Around 1 pm I FINALLY get a response. Like I always do, my heart starts racing. I get as close as I can and throw out cow calls. Nothing. I sit and wait for his next bugle. Nothing. In frustration and confusion, I sit about where I first heard him respond and pulled out lunch. As I am eating and scratching my head, the bull bugles again about 200 yards from me. In fact, he is doing the bull calling cows sound!! Since I always rush things, I smiled and continued to eat lunch and just tried to relax about my next opportunity to work him. I got up. Slowly walked towards the bugle I heard during lunch. I started to hear elk sound in the thick woods. I looked lower beneath pine tree branches and could see legs. Lots of legs. He had cows. So for the first time in my life I reflected on the sound I heard from Ironmind; "bull calling cows". I thought, I think I should try it. I was not sure I could even do it but I thought if ever I was going to try it it should be now. So I put my mouth on my bugling tube and thought this is crazy; as soon as I blow in it, the bull elk will either blow out of here or it could work. I remember initiating a few false starts on the end of my bugle tube. I mean I was stepping up to blow and I didn't. After a couple false starts I took a leap of faith and blew my best bull calling cows sound out of my tube. It was the first time I ever tried it in the woods. Immediately the bull responded. I thought this is good. Then nothing was seemingly happening. I cracked a couple branches and made a second call. He immediately responded again. I kept peeking through pine branches when all of the sudden I saw this huge herd bull walking straight for me with his head down. This feeling is unexplainable. Thankfully it was happening so fast my nerves did not have a chance to react. I drew my bow knowing my shot would probably come when the bull passes my cover and we are locking eyeballs. As soon as I had a shot, he paused and looked right at me. I was by myself. Without hesitation, I let the arrow fly. Bull down. Biggest bull of my life.
