Peers ask me all the time, “Why do you like bowhunting so much? All it is, is shooting animals.” I just have to smirk the comment off, because I know that bowhunting is something that is kindled deep in the heart of a person who wants a challenge; to be responsible, respectful and rejuvenated by all that nature has to offer. Some people say that “If you haven’t already done it, you never will.” I tend to disagree; however, if you really want to be a hardcore bowhunter, all it takes is for someone to plant the seed. From that point on, bowhunting is one of those things that people will either grow apart from, whereas the true hardcore bowhunter will find themselves obsessed by mystique of the bow and arrow. I am of the later.
There are many things in life that I have tried, each with their individual successes and failures; however, there is one thing that I simply cannot let go. I’ve loved doing other things just as much; it’s just that bowhunting and I go hand in hand. Not a day goes by when I don’t think of a big velvet buck, or a big bull running in to my setup and screaming, a stick’s toss away. I can be working through a math problem in school, or sitting in the bullpen at a baseball game, however my thoughts revolve about arching the bow back on a trophy animal.
Being 18 years old, it seems that adult always look down upon me, whether it be in the shop, or on the range. They don’t truly believe in the capabilities of the hardcore youth bowhunter. I would agree and say they are few and far between, but I am one of them. As the cliché goes, I eat, sleep and dream bowhunting. From the many bowhunting publications in every reading spot in the house, to the hunting DVD collection that far outnumbers chart-topping comedies. There’s more camo in my closet than all the shirts and pants. I have a spot for my backpack, bivy sack and bow case right next to my bed. It’s a commonality for me to carry one, if not two pairs of binos in my car, “just in case”. No matter the occasion you can find me in a camo hat. However, that’s not where you can decipher the difference between the weekend warrior and the true hardcore bowhunter.
It’s not about how many hunting decals I can fit on the back of my car (although I do have about 20), or how much game I can spit, BS’in down at the pro shop; It’s about what I do, out there where it really counts. The real things that make me a hardcore bowhunter are the things I do when I’m in the mountains. I am the only judge of just how hard I hunted, or just how much I pushed myself; whether I really hunt as hard, and as smart as my skills allow. I’m the only one who can make the decisions that make or break my hunt. When it’s all on my shoulders, with an OTC tag in my pocket, I know it’s up to me to make a success of hunt. As a youth hunter, I believe that when you learn to thrive off the challenges bowhunting presents, and learn that the best judge of your character and hunting performance is yourself, you become a better person and find that your limits are much father beyond what you previously thought you could accomplish.
I have always heard more experienced bowhunter’s describe that, as they get older, they find just as much enjoyment in being out; absorbing all the experiences the mountains have to offer. Myself, I think it’s different depending on individual goals. Personally, I find true satisfaction in getting into game, and closing in on my ultimate goal on any given hunt; arrow a P&Y animal. Maybe I need to slow down and “take it all in” more often, but the drive to success is what keeps he going.
For me, it’s beyond hard to describe what I really love about bowhunting, or why I really try and be the best bowhunter I can be; it’s describing the indescribable. Only when you experience the deep-down feeling of being amongst untamed wilderness, with bow in hand and an OTC tag in your pocket will you honestly recognize the passion for which I have for bowhunting.
To all you youth hardcore bowhunter’s (or the aspiring), know that when you learn to push yourself to the highest end of your abilities, that when you know you can create the success you can push yourself to.
Hardly qualified Adult written by aroney,
September 23, 2008
Joe, While I barely qualify as an adult , I am one that does not look down upon you, but rather up to you. What you are doing at 18 years of age sometimes takes a bowhunter a lifetime to appreciate. Hell, in all honesty, I probably don't appreciate how much bowhunting is an important part of my life (and I host a bow hunting podcast by the way!).
This latest entry on your blog puts into words what many of us know deep down in our gut, but have trouble describing outside of the "circle".
Many folks won't have the sack to tell you this, but I suggest you don't slow down, and you don't worry about "taking it all in". You have a great ability to personally determine what your goals are and how you like to hunt. You measure your success and enjoyment on your own terms, not anyone else's. It's a lesson and a practice that many of us should adopt in all aspects of life, not just bowhunting. Stick to that and never give it up. You're an 18 year old that is an inspiration to this 30 something. We are all proud to have you on the BowCast team. Go hard or go home.
Aneal
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WOW!!! written by bckcntrybuck,
September 23, 2008
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Heres to looking up to the youth hunters!!
Nice work Joe!!
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... written by DeRyderM,
September 24, 2008
Awesome entry bro,
Like you described, as a younger guy (really only in the last year years has this changed) there was nothing more important to me than filling that tag. The adrenaline rush I got from the moment right before and right after can't be described. That is why I started bowhunting again a few years ago. Hunting with my firearm began steal the rush I experienced unless it was a decent animal. I wanted to gain that feeling again so I started bowhunting.
I am able to relax a little more and just appreciate being out there; watching and learning from the animals that I don't intend to shoot. But don't get em wrong, I want that rush and adrenaline coursing feeling as often as I can get it. I found out that I could just almost as big a rush as introducing others to hunting and taking them to the field.
A guy that uses this sight who goes by the name of Dbowhunter had been shooting a bow since he was a young kid. He had been hunting for 7 or 8 years and had not taken a deer. It is tough in MI when you are stuck on public land, w/o anyone to show you the ropes. I think he was 21 maybe when I invited him down to my farm. That year he made a perfect shot on his first deer and finished out the season with a buck and a doe that he shot 2 minutes before I shot a buck that was following his rutting buck and doe. The rush I was looking for was found.
I was also able to help another fraternity brother shoot his first deer as well and now we are working on one for my girlfriend. I have no idea how many dozens of does I have taken in my life and it is awesome to once again get a rush out of seeing one harvested.
The point of this long rambling response to your article Joe, is that a man who appreciates hunting as much as you will do anything to keep that rush alive. It sounds like you do not have to do anything except be yourself. However, if you do start to lose that feeling, take a younger kid hunting, start shooting a traditional bow, etc. That excitement I had when I harvested my first deer is a feeling I hope to never lose. Kudos to you for being so tore up and passionate about this sport that we all love dearly. Thank you for being an excellent ambassador and promoter our our sport. It is gentlemen like you who will continue to carry our sport with pride, well into the future!
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Thanks a bunch guys! written by JCima,
September 28, 2008
I appreciate all the fantastic feedback, it might have come across that I try and take it all in...but I go all out, its what I live for. As I sit hear, fresh back from the wilderness, I feel a deep satisfaction that I gave it all I had, and there's nothing that feels better than that
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While I barely qualify as an adult
This latest entry on your blog puts into words what many of us know deep down in our gut, but have trouble describing outside of the "circle".
Many folks won't have the sack to tell you this, but I suggest you don't slow down, and you don't worry about "taking it all in". You have a great ability to personally determine what your goals are and how you like to hunt. You measure your success and enjoyment on your own terms, not anyone else's. It's a lesson and a practice that many of us should adopt in all aspects of life, not just bowhunting. Stick to that and never give it up. You're an 18 year old that is an inspiration to this 30 something. We are all proud to have you on the BowCast team. Go hard or go home.
Aneal