My bow hunting mentor has taught me a lot about hunting. Well, he has TRIED to teach me alot, some I learned and retained, some… well I just haven’t grasped yet.
Gary, “6feathers”, took me under his wing when I was a snot nosed teen and taught me about bows, making arrows, shot placement, and general hunting tactics. He saw I had little in the way of money or equipment so always has a “spare whatever” for me to use. He sold me my first real bow, a Black Widow MA, for far less than it was worth. But he knew I had very little and I would not feel right just having him give it to me, so we worked out a “deal”.
Gary took me along to deer camp each fall and made sure I had everything else I needed. I remember one year as we were leaving camp and heading to the woods my serving came undone, and I figured I was outta luck, cause I did not own another string. Gary took me back to camp and re-served my string right there and I was back to hunting again. I thought he was pretty darn cool.
He always had a good spot in mind for me to sit. He probably scouted harder for my spot than he did for his own. Later, I had learned to find my own way in the woods. I had some success. But I still had a lot to learn.
I grew up. I moved away. We reconnected a couple times to fling arrows at deer, but for the most part I stopped hunting. I had stopped shooting bows too, for most of the last 20ish years. Now that my kids are grown, I have been fortunate enough to get back into bow hunting and most fortunate to reconnect with Gary. Yes, he is still hunting. Yes, he is still teaching me lessons.
These are some of the lessons Gary taught me that I will always try to remember:
Pick a spot
Aim small, miss small.
Bend at the waist, not the shoulders.
Blood trails are sometimes under low hanging leaves, not always on the ground.
Keep your feet and hands warm.
It is OK to laugh at yourself.
No one is a perfect shot everyday
You can’t shoot a deer from the couch.
Find a bow you shoot well.
An ugly bow that you shoot well is more valuable than a pretty bow you can’t shoot.
Don’t over bow yourself.
Match the arrow to the bow.
Test your arrows bare shafted.
The best broadhead is a sharp one.
Write down your brace height and nock height (Gary puts it on a sticker then attaches it to the bow).
Shooting well is largely mental.
Have confidence in your shooting.
Move closer until you have confidence in your shooting.
And the most important lesson - ANY ANIMAL YOU TAKE WITH A STICK BOW IS A TROPHY.
Here is a picture Gary just sent me of his trophy he took Monday. Gary most likely wouldn't post a picture himself. He's too modest.
I guess over the years Gary has taught me a whole lot more than just bow hunting. He has taught me what it is to be a friend and a mentor. I will always be in his debt.
Topic: Lessons from my Mentor (Read 1416 times)
