mdcrossbow
Well-known member
I found this article, good read.
THE DEFINITION OF A BOWHUNTER
By Woody Williams
Beauty is said to be within the eyes of the beholder. The same thing can be said about defining a bowhunter. A non-hunter, when asked to define a bowhunter, might reply "they are some kind of a fool who climbs up in a tree in zero degree weather to sling sticks at animals." Even a hunter, who has never participated in the sport of bowhunting, will occasionally question the sanity of a bowhunter. Even though the non-bowhunting hunter might not fully understand a bowhunter, they will usually respect the bowhunter's choice in their method of taking game.
I submit to you for a "true" definition of a bowhunter you must ask a bowhunter. No one else on God's green earth can give you a more accurate answer than the person who does it. Ask a bowhunter why they bowhunt and they will tell you:
It's the alarm clock going off at 4:00 am on opening morning after you've spent a restless night of tossing and turning with visions of 10 pointers parading by your stand. It's the crisp night air of autumn as you look skyward at the twinkling stars, knowing that it will be a bright dawn.
Bowhunting is the fellowship as you meet your bowhunting buddies at the local breakfast shop on opening day. It's the kidding about missed shots and tall tales of "the big one" that gave you the slip last year. After the third cup of coffee comes the inevitable question "where're you going to hunt this morning?"
Bowhunting is the sparkle of frost glittering in your flashlight beam as you slowly crunch through new fallen leaves on your way to your morning stand. It's the steamy breath that you exhale and watch drift skyward as you sit on your stand awaiting the dawn. The upward spiral means a breeze is nonexistent and the chances of the deer smelling you are lessened.
Bowhunting is tuning your senses in to nature as the noises of the woods begin. A distant hoot owl calls into the night. It immediately is answered by a closer owl with the familiar "who cooks for you, who cooks for you all-l-l-l." A screech owl cuts out with a blood curdling scream two trees over that almost makes you jump out of your stand.
Bowhunting is seeing the eastern sky lighten as the day begins. The woods begin to awaken as crows begin to call, birds sing, and squirrels begin to move about chasing each other through the leaves. The rustling of leaves gives way to a steady crunch, crunch, crunch sound of approaching deer. Two fawns have come to feed on acorns by your stand; one, a stocky button buck that could some day be your future trophy. Bowhunting is not just hunting, it's also watching and learning. In no other type of hunting can you get as close to nature and learn what makes an animal tick.
Bowhunting is a sense of excitement only a bowhunter would know when he discovers a new buck rub and a fresh breeding scrape within easy arrow range of his bowstand. The smell of buck urine and scent from his glands is a promise that he will be back.
Bowhunting can also be disappointing -- if you let it. It's the 20-yard broadside shot that you blew on a nice 8-pointer. It's the feeling of "OH NO!" as a doe picks out your slow moving hand as you reach for your bow and gives a stamp with her foot. The buck who was following her stops out of range. You watch as she lifts her head and sniffs the breeze picking up your scent. With a snort they both bolt back into the thicket.
It's dropped arrows, creaking blinds, an errant breeze that spooks an approaching deer. It's a glimpse of horns as the buck of your dreams slips by your stand too far to shoot. You do notice that he walks directly under a tree that you had your portable stand in until you decided to move it only this morning. It's the flash of tails as deer bound away as you arrive at your evening stand 15 minutes late. The disappointments are also learning experiences. Believe me, they will make you a better bowhunter.
Bowhunting is knowing there's a mature buck roaming your area and after weeks of hunting, scouting, figuring travel routes, and finding his scrape lines you have finally outwitted him. He has made one of his very few mistakes and you are there to take advantage of it. He is twenty yards quartering away with his attention solely on the branch over his breeding scrape.
As he chews on and rubs his face into the branch, you slowly pull your bow back and settle the 20-yard pin on "the spot". The countless hours of practice with your bow pays off as your arrow strikes true. The razor sharp broadhead does it’s work quickly and within seconds it’s over. Bowhunting is the feeling of exhilaration when you find your trophy; along with a bit of sadness at the sight of a fallen magnificent animal You have met him on his terms, in his home, and you have won.
That's what bowhunting is to a bowhunter. When bowhunting season is here, a bowhunter can think of very little else. It is their pleasure; their escape from the stresses of life. It satisfies a need deep within them.
A bowhunter need not feel any shame for being a bowhunter, indeed they should take great pride in being called "a bowhunter."
THE DEFINITION OF A BOWHUNTER
By Woody Williams
Beauty is said to be within the eyes of the beholder. The same thing can be said about defining a bowhunter. A non-hunter, when asked to define a bowhunter, might reply "they are some kind of a fool who climbs up in a tree in zero degree weather to sling sticks at animals." Even a hunter, who has never participated in the sport of bowhunting, will occasionally question the sanity of a bowhunter. Even though the non-bowhunting hunter might not fully understand a bowhunter, they will usually respect the bowhunter's choice in their method of taking game.
I submit to you for a "true" definition of a bowhunter you must ask a bowhunter. No one else on God's green earth can give you a more accurate answer than the person who does it. Ask a bowhunter why they bowhunt and they will tell you:
It's the alarm clock going off at 4:00 am on opening morning after you've spent a restless night of tossing and turning with visions of 10 pointers parading by your stand. It's the crisp night air of autumn as you look skyward at the twinkling stars, knowing that it will be a bright dawn.
Bowhunting is the fellowship as you meet your bowhunting buddies at the local breakfast shop on opening day. It's the kidding about missed shots and tall tales of "the big one" that gave you the slip last year. After the third cup of coffee comes the inevitable question "where're you going to hunt this morning?"
Bowhunting is the sparkle of frost glittering in your flashlight beam as you slowly crunch through new fallen leaves on your way to your morning stand. It's the steamy breath that you exhale and watch drift skyward as you sit on your stand awaiting the dawn. The upward spiral means a breeze is nonexistent and the chances of the deer smelling you are lessened.
Bowhunting is tuning your senses in to nature as the noises of the woods begin. A distant hoot owl calls into the night. It immediately is answered by a closer owl with the familiar "who cooks for you, who cooks for you all-l-l-l." A screech owl cuts out with a blood curdling scream two trees over that almost makes you jump out of your stand.
Bowhunting is seeing the eastern sky lighten as the day begins. The woods begin to awaken as crows begin to call, birds sing, and squirrels begin to move about chasing each other through the leaves. The rustling of leaves gives way to a steady crunch, crunch, crunch sound of approaching deer. Two fawns have come to feed on acorns by your stand; one, a stocky button buck that could some day be your future trophy. Bowhunting is not just hunting, it's also watching and learning. In no other type of hunting can you get as close to nature and learn what makes an animal tick.
Bowhunting is a sense of excitement only a bowhunter would know when he discovers a new buck rub and a fresh breeding scrape within easy arrow range of his bowstand. The smell of buck urine and scent from his glands is a promise that he will be back.
Bowhunting can also be disappointing -- if you let it. It's the 20-yard broadside shot that you blew on a nice 8-pointer. It's the feeling of "OH NO!" as a doe picks out your slow moving hand as you reach for your bow and gives a stamp with her foot. The buck who was following her stops out of range. You watch as she lifts her head and sniffs the breeze picking up your scent. With a snort they both bolt back into the thicket.
It's dropped arrows, creaking blinds, an errant breeze that spooks an approaching deer. It's a glimpse of horns as the buck of your dreams slips by your stand too far to shoot. You do notice that he walks directly under a tree that you had your portable stand in until you decided to move it only this morning. It's the flash of tails as deer bound away as you arrive at your evening stand 15 minutes late. The disappointments are also learning experiences. Believe me, they will make you a better bowhunter.
Bowhunting is knowing there's a mature buck roaming your area and after weeks of hunting, scouting, figuring travel routes, and finding his scrape lines you have finally outwitted him. He has made one of his very few mistakes and you are there to take advantage of it. He is twenty yards quartering away with his attention solely on the branch over his breeding scrape.
As he chews on and rubs his face into the branch, you slowly pull your bow back and settle the 20-yard pin on "the spot". The countless hours of practice with your bow pays off as your arrow strikes true. The razor sharp broadhead does it’s work quickly and within seconds it’s over. Bowhunting is the feeling of exhilaration when you find your trophy; along with a bit of sadness at the sight of a fallen magnificent animal You have met him on his terms, in his home, and you have won.
That's what bowhunting is to a bowhunter. When bowhunting season is here, a bowhunter can think of very little else. It is their pleasure; their escape from the stresses of life. It satisfies a need deep within them.
A bowhunter need not feel any shame for being a bowhunter, indeed they should take great pride in being called "a bowhunter."
