Hunting Lessons

People, as I have learned, need not to learn to kill during an archery hunt, but to learn more how to live. When I was very young, my Dad taught me the importance of learning how to enjoy "Mother Nature," not just to hunt. I have passed this on to both of my sons and friends I've made throughout my life while bowhunting. By learning to live along side of "Mother Nature," it can teach you how to become a better person in everyday life.

My Dad taught me how to hear not to just listen. When you listen carefully, you hear many things around, not just what you want to hear. In those moments you may hear the birds singing, the small critters on the ground start to scramble around or if you're lucky, the footsteps that sound like a human walking on the forest floor, only to find out it is a deer starting to move slowly toward you. He taught me to see, not just look. To see what is going on around you. Next time you are out in your stand take look around you and see the clear blue sky or maybe how beautiful the leaves are on the trees. Sometimes the warmth of the early morning sun hits you just right and you feel good all over, inside and out. He also taught me to be courageous, not just to be satisfied with the way things are now, but to go out and explore the many new horizons yet to be seen. This could mean the next crossing of a small stream or maybe a new job.

I try to stay connected to the animals that I see during an archery hunt. I know when to shy away from something or to forage on, just like that monster buck that didn't get to be a monster just by accident. He learned just as you did, from others or from his own mistakes where not to be or what not to do. In order to be successful in life, you must see and hear what is going on around you and your loved ones. To share and teach the care of our forest home and hunting heritage may just be the most important piece of education you have ever taught. Even though my Dad has been gone for awhile now, his lessons that were taught to me are now still being taught. The path he led me on, has helped me to determine who I am as a person and he has taught many others, who are still feeling and doing the same as I am.

The sport of archery hunting was passed on to me and I will continue to pass it on to others as if my Dad were still alive. Remember that hunting is less about learning how to kill, and is more about how to respect others and what "Mother Nature" has to offer.