I remember

[longbowman]

Next Saturday is the 1st day of archery in my part of PA.  I was just setting here thinking about that day 47 years ago.  My big brother was just home from the Army.  He had bought me a30# Stemmler fiberglass bow.  We went to Jamesway and bought 3 arrows with broadheads on them for .89 cents each.  When we got home he made me a cardboard side quiver to carry them in.  The morning was perfect, cool and clear.  We went to a thick area across the road and split up to slowly work our way through it.  The leaves there were yellow and the smell was musky, yet sweet.  I was startled when I heard deer running and looked up to see a big doe running right at me!  At about 15 yds. I drew, she hit the brakes and my arrow flew right over her!  I was still in shock with heart pounding and eyes wide when I saw another deer coming down the same trail...a buck!  I got ready but he saw me and ran off.

Now it's tree stands, cover scents, perfect clothing and high end equipment.  Numbers of animals on the wall.  But standing in the woods last night with my son I suddenly smelled the leaves, saw the yellow and remembered the first, first day.  My brother died two years ago but I remember.

[ISP 5353]

Cherished memories!  Treasure them always.  Make some for your son to keep!

[ChuckC]

There are memories that stay with us forever, and not all of them include dead critters.

A friend just returned from a hunt.  He had a chance and, well, had a meltdown.  He missed.  But listening to him tell the story, and knowing him from the past, I know he will never forget those few minutes and the activities that transpired.  I wish I could have been there to have seen it all happen.
ChuckC

[amazonjim]

I remember about that same time, going to see a hunting video by some guy named bear. It was Fred Bear as he hunted and shot a sliver tipped grizzley and I was amazed as how quick the bear expired.

So I went out and bought a fiberglass bow at pic and save, got some arrows and off to the woods on opening day.

It was a thick fog that morning so slipping down a  logging trail lo and behold there was a 4 point standing less that 15 yds from me, let the arrow fly and such noise should never be heard in the woods loudest twang I ever heard, well that little buck just jumped out of the way.

I continued on in my ignorance of deer and bow hunting, then heard something like sticks rubbing together, finally looking to my right in a fire trail that was grown up was a nice 8 point, couldn't shoot to many small trees. Well we continued to walk side by side but I could see that buck was going to intercept the trail I was on, so I got ready, sure enough he stepped into the trail, arrow was in flight, but there it was again that twang, louder this time it seemed before.  I can still see the deer's face after he jumped out of the way looking at me saying, what was that awful noise.

To say the least I was hooked

[don kauss]

When you boil it all down, fancy equipment and gadgetry is not important at all...

IMO, it can dilute the experience in a big way.

[VictoryHunter]

That is a wonderful story and something worth remembering forever.

[GreyGoose]

The best stuff in life - isn't stuff.  I still love that smell, and it takes me back every time. Nothing like hunting with your kin.  My older cousin took me out to fetch squirrels he shot when I was 7 or 8 (he couldn't bend one knee at all, and had to move carefully in the woods) and that hooked me.  He was not a bowhunter, but encouraged me from the time I decided that was how I wanted to hunt. Lost him last week after a long illness; he was at peace and ready to go, but I miss him, and have thought of him the two evenings I got out to scout this week.

[joe ashton]

well tolded....

[joe ashton]

I mean, well told...

[Mudd]

Thanks to all who shared such precious memories with us.

   

[Green]

Hunting season has a way of bringing the past home to us.  May God Bless your brother, and best of luck to you this season.

[TGbow]

longbowman, thanks for sharing your memories. Those kind of memories are priceless.
I was thinking last night about when my dad got us boys into deerhunting. Before then I had only squirrel and rabbit hunted. 1975, my dad and my 2 older brothers ,my younger brother, and my nephew  began our deerhuning days.
Your post reminded me of what I was pondering on last night, thinking about my nephew, who was only 2 years younger than I, he was like my brother. We lost him 2 years ago this November. He had bought a Bear Super Kodiak the following season, 1976. My younger brother bought the SK from him in the 90s because nephew had quit hunting, wish we still had the SK.
Some of us still hunt but I only hunt by myself anymore  My son  was my hunting buddy until he joined the military. I have so many good memories of me and my son hunting together and I hope many more to come.
longbowman, some of the finest times in life are simple things for sure.

[TGbow]

longbowman, thanks for sharing your memories. Those kind of memories are priceless.
I was thinking last night about when my dad got us boys into deerhunting. Before then I had only squirrel and rabbit hunted. 1975, my dad and my 2 older brothers ,my younger brother, and my nephew  began our deerhuning days.
Your post reminded me of what I was pondering on last night, thinking about my nephew, who was only 2 years younger than I, he was like my brother. We lost him 2 years ago this November. He had bought a Bear Super Kodiak the following season, 1976. My younger brother bought the SK from him in the 90s because nephew had quit hunting, wish e still had the SK.
Some of us still hunt but I only hunt by myself anymore  My son  was my hunting buddy until he joined the military. I have so many good memories of me and my son hunting together and I hope many more to come.
longbowman, some of the finest times in life are simple things for sure.

[Ric O'Shay]

There is something about memories like this, that return us to a time in our life that are near and dear to us. And accordingly, the more we return to them, the sweeter and stronger they become.

Thanks for sharing.

[Rustic]

Thanks for sharin your story... traditional archery takes me back to my youth as well...fond memories and simple pleasures...  

[Slickhead]

Every Sept I think of dad taking me squirrel hunting. Those smells and colors always bring back the memory of a rainy sept morn with Dad.
He didnt take me hunting much , as by the time I was of hunting age he was getting older and out of hunting.
Dad didnt bow hunt, being a depression era kid he was all about meat.
I remember the first time I killed a Buck with a bow he was amazed.
God I miss him.