It’s been so long since I’ve posted on this forum – the last couple of years were distracting to say the least. But this year with school out of the way and two cross-country moves under my belt, I was ready to pick up my bow and get back to it.
I practiced all summer, heart set on hunting this fall. I hummed and hawed, not confident in my skills or my setup. When I began practicing archery I had so many mentors guiding my way, though now on my own I find hunting to be the most intimidating thing. It hit me that I had to go out and do it, or always regret having not done it.
So last Saturday I went back into the woods, three years after making my first kill (ever), a squirrel with my bow. At 5:30 AM I hiked way in to a private property that my boyfriend’s brother, Trevor, and some other locals have permission to hunt. Sat until 10:30 and didn’t see a thing except squirrels. Texted back and forth with Trevor who told me he rarely saw anything there but was coming out later in the afternoon.
Came out to get some coffee and learned that an elderly neighbor had gone in after me at 8:30, toting a rifle and covered head to toe in blaze orange. I shrugged, convinced there were not deer on the land, disappointed and thinking I may not even go back in.
Not 30 minutes later, out lumbered the elderly neighbor, dragging a fat doe behind him. I jumped out of my chair to run outside and talk to him. He was barely in the woods for three hours! I couldn’t help but be jealous (even though he had a significant advantage in terms of firepower and I don’t have a doe tag anyway).
I went back in, determined to at least spot a deer. Five hours later I came out again, having seen nothing. Trevor didn’t see anything that afternoon either. Sitting still in the quiet felt almost meditative, the forest was glowing with the colors of autumn - I spent the entire time willing the deer in my direction to no avail!
It was disappointing in a way, but it broke the ice, and now I can’t wait to get back. A day in the woods with my beautiful bow and bits and pieces given to me by all of the friends I’ve found through archery. I wore my knife that lmchief helped me make, thick red wool pants that Doc Nock procured for me (about ten sizes too big but I used pins to make them snug), arrows a local acquaintance helped me build, quiver from Rod at Safari Tuff – so much generosity and so many wonderful memories. I’d love to bag a deer this season, but even if I don’t I am so grateful for the experience. Thanks Gang - Gotta start somewhere!
Topic: Back at it! (Read 421 times)
