Fulfilled
People always ask me if I know what my deer score and to be honest I have never given two shits. I love playing cat and mouse with whatever deer makes it personal. I love hunting freezer queens to old warriors. I live for when the metal meets the meat. And as long as my freezer is full come Jan 15th I’m fulfilled.
Harvest
A good hunter can scout, trim, setup, sit, harvest within days of being on a new property. What you decide to harvest is between you and the animal. Not a lot goes to waste. The older I have gotten the more parts of the animal I have found use for. The trophy is to honor the hunt, the prize is what’s in the freezer. Knowing what my children are eating is the most important thing to me.
Humbling
This picture right here captivated all my emotions I have had a understanding and respect for the woods, rivers, critters and great blue sky since I was 8 years old.
My appreciation for nature grows season to season. To share what I felt in the woods yesterday is nearly impossible. The surge of emotions yesterday came from knowing I never gave up, slowed down, learned from mistakes, made improvements, kept my head up. Relentless pursuit is the straightest line to achieving your goals. I will say it is bitter sweet taking a buck opening day, as late oct and red November are truly what I look forward to. Something I’ve learned is the mother will share what is earned. Advice to beginner hunters is you have to love every step you take in the woods or bow hunting will eat you alive as it’s one of the most humbling ventures I have set on. I love every step of the way. Filling my freezer with protein that will nourish my loves ones is my why. Getting to take a beautiful buck like this the first day is the cherry on top of all my effort. Nothing more rewarding. .
Pursuit
Some hunters go a lifetime without the opportunity to take a big buck. Some get one or two chances if they're lucky. Everything we do to prepare usually comes down to just a moment in time. You're either heart broken or riding a high like you never felt before.
Either way bowhunting will let you know a lot about who you are and how you handle adversity. I have felt the lowest of lows, that sickening feeling in your stomach.
I've also never felt so alive at times. I've thrown up out of a tree. Also I have never been more proud of myself. Thought I’d never hunt again, and know ill never go without hunting.
Hunters will go to great lengths for the pursuit of a giant. There is nothing like the chase. Nothing like late October and red November. Hard to explain to someone not submerged into the life of bowhunting America's Whitetail Deer.
Preperation
After spending years in the field I've realized that scenarios rarely play out how you plan. One of the most gratifying feelings when it does, but best to be prepared for everything. Shoot in every position, every angle, practice a quick draw and release, practice at dawn and dusk when there is little light, when you're sore, when you're tired, and when you have thought of everything you'll still find yourself in an unfamiliar situation.
Took this buck while kneeling on my stand, shooting over my back shoulder almost facing the ground. I remember thinking how the hell did I pull that off. Mix up your reps, get creative.
Challenges
One of the toughest feets i've attempted as an archer is turkeys. I've put more time and effort into the four Missouri turkeys I've taken with a bow than anything else. I have always loved a challenge and naturally prefered bow hunting to firearms. Most people don't understand how drastically different the same pursuit of an animal can be. I have lost more arrows shooting at turkey than i would like, each missed made the success that much more sweet. Only hunting pic where I made that smile.
Reflections
Sitting and reflecting on this season I came across this picture and felt a sense of pride, not arrogance but truly proud of the effort I put forth. Staying Persistent and focused on my goal, not letting the missed encounter with him ruin future opportunities. Making adjustments and tweaking my game. Ultimately learning and growing. Beating this buck at a game he had been winning for many years. Would have love to see him in his prime. I sat with him for a hour or more just appreciating the hunt the process the opportunity. Easy to love something when it’s in our core, hunting is who we are and how we came to be.
There is hunting and then there is bowhunting.
Evolution
Sitting thinking reflecting now that it’s over. Something’s I would share with my 20 yr old self. Two things come to mind …
First successful bowhunters evolve. Growth through making mistakes and learning from them. It’s that simple, you have to make mistakes in the felid reflect on them, and evolve sit to sit, and season to season. Don’t be complacent ever. I finally excepted that this sport is a life long journey. I will never be the same hunter. Second be present get off your phone and observe. There is so much to learn in the woods but you have to let yourself clock in. Your growth is directly proportional to the quality of time spent in the field.I feel blessed after this season, I had more encounters with deer than the last two put together. I made several mistakes, learned from everyone of them and still replay them in my head each day. It’s a grind but would you have it any other way.