Are You Ready?
Deer Archery season is right around the corner for much of the nation, so are you ready? To some people hunting is all antlers and acorns! To others it’s sweat equity and will power, sometimes it can seem like work. Am I wrong? Please explain a scenario when hunting doesn’t require some prep work for success. I’m not continuing with this blog until you do!
Some partake on opposite sides of the fence, whatever side you choose or are dealt, doesn’t give you place to envy or bash those that didn’t choose or weren’t dealt the same. You’ve heard the phrase, “life isn’t fair” right? I will never agree with that statement, life is different for everyone and some seem to have an easier time than others, but it is what you make of it. You’ve also heard the phrase, “perspective is everything”, I will agree with that.
Ready To Go Package
My buddy Jed may have the Bear Archery Persist Compound Bow and he paid the archery shop to set everything up for him with all the best accessories. We decide it’s a great idea to get together and practice with our equipment. He shows up with his set up in the Easton Workhorse Bow Case ready to go without breaking a sweat.
I had to complete an almost entire restore of my PSE Stinger ATK Hunter. I’ve had this one for a while and some maintenance was necessary before I could confidently take it to the woods. The last thing I needed to install was my Trophy Ridge Tru-Peep. Meanwhile, Jed waited patiently, he pointed his finger at my rig and said, ”I’m glad I didn’t have to do that myself, I wouldn’t know how. Kudos to ya The Bow Bully”. You see how he did that? Just because he has “better” equipment that was set up for him, he didn’t see himself as better than me. That’s why he’s my buddy.
Perfect POI
Jed also brought his own target, the Rinehart 3D Nasp Alert Deer. He loaded the arrow, attached the Stan Onnex Clicker Thumb Release, proceeded to full draw and proceeded to release, accomplishing the perfect POI on the deer. After his perfect shot, Jed turned to me and said,”You’re turn, take a shot at the deer!”
Do you think I proceeded into a full draw followed by a smooth release? Before I give you the answer, I would like to know what you think I did. You think I took the shot? Are you kidding me? Of course I didn’t! I’ve done a complete restore, I’d prefer to take a first shot from 10-15 yards at a large bag target like the Big Shot Ballistic 450X. Why? I’m not zeroed yet and I can’t and won’t afford to lose arrows.
Give Me Credit? Nah!
After getting set up, it’s go time! Jed and I sat around and talked about dream hunts and harvests. We went back and forth with what we were hoping this deer season would look like and whose equipment was going to get the first harvest. Of course, we didn’t give the other any credit, out loud anyway.
Jed’s work is almost over as his first hunt is booked and he is almost guaranteed to harvest a white tail deer. Me on the other hand have plenty more to do, research, scouting, and maybe the most difficult decision, where is the best place to park myself and wait?
Even though he and I use different ways to hunt, we’re still friends. Think about that next time you see a hunter that maybe does things a little different from you and be like Jed!
TBB
“Please explain a scenario when hunting doesn’t require some prep work for success.”
Well, first thing is to define what success means. If it is harvesting a nice buck,, or even a doe,,, then we don’t have the same terminology in use.
For me, success is getting out into the woods, smelling the scent of the damp soil and leaves, watching birds, chipmunks, rabbits and squirrels all doing their own thing. You see, I use the excuse of hunting to motivate myself. Being in a wheelchair means I have to depend on others for part of my hunt. My “places to hunt” are limited. So, my prep has more to do with the logistics than it does equipment.
As long as my bow is sighted in (which it is), I am happy. If I am gifted with an opportunity, I feel I owe it to the deer to make a humane kill. But as I said,, the shot and the kill really have no place in my definition of success.
Like you said,, “perspective is everything”.
Ed
Ed,
What a breath of fresh air! A man not about the kill but the experience that may lead up to one. That’s a beautiful thing! I get it completely, I do appreciate both types of success as that is all part of hunting.
Prepping for success looks different for everyone. I appreciate you sharing your perspective of success with us, may it be one that infects more of us.
Thanks again Ed!
-TBB