ACCEPTANCE
"A me piace andare a caccia al cervo con l'arco e freccia"
"Is that right?"
I seem to ask this question a lot to my soon to be Australian/Italian bride. The answer to my question was, "yes, I know you like hunting deer with your bow and arrow".
My Italian vocabulary seems to centre around hunting and food; I have a love for both, as one is the product of the other.
As I sat there at the dining table looking at the centre of each plate and the lean pieces of venison that were being savoured by these non hunting people, I raised another piece of meat to my mouth and felt its texture and the unique flavour. As I chewed, my memory drifted back to where this meat had come from and how it had made its way on to my plate. I thought how beast and man had met in time, how two worlds separate to many modern people had been linked together by an object; an arrow crafted by one to take the life of another. How it had served its purpose through the persistence of practice and the ingraining of form.
Sitting there recollecting, I realised that I owe that deer to those exact things, ingrained form. For as I stalked that young bedded Rusa deer, he was unawares to my presence and my intensions. The smell of the damp grass being pushed towards me by the steady wind confirmed what my eyes were seeing was real. I was 20m from a deer, but not just a deer, it was a culmination of many things, dreams, goals, maybe even fate. All these things had brought me to this point and it was now time to see what the outcome would hold for me.
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/Trad%20gang/DSC00035_zps4727fd43.jpg)
I raised my bow into the vertical position and eased out from behind the bush that separated our lives, as it was time for us to cross paths on this mortal coil. As I drew, he still wasn't aware that it was time for us to meet and as my introduction of carbon and steel parted the air above his back, he jolted to his feet and made a little distance before looking back to enquire who this stranger was seeking acceptance into his life.
But this was to be the error of his ways for I had a different idea on how this encounter was to end and the sound of my second arrow punching through his diaphragm, through one lung and into his spine, again confirmed what my eyes were seeing. He dropped on the spot due to that second arrow, a second arrow that came without any hesitance, just ingrained form and process. I can't recall any conscious thought from the loading of the arrow to the release, and this is what realised my dream.
Another arrow was quickly dispatched and took him from 15m through the chest, entering from the last rib and pushing into the dirt through his brisket bringing our paths together to run parallel and committing us both to the journey ahead.
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/Trad%20gang/P1090530_zps4fe31392.jpg)
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/Trad%20gang/P1090539_zpsd08927e2.jpg)
Although this journey was to involve us both, it was my turn to honour this animal and make his death worthwhile, for I have dreamt of retrieving my bow shot game and going through the hardship to transport it from his world into the modern world we live in today.
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/Trad%20gang/P1090562_zps6fb9559f.jpg)
Little did I know that by carrying this deer out, if only for a short distance, I would not only be carrying out bone flesh hide and memories, but a product of what I love that would bring together the people in my life in such a positive way.
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/Trad%20gang/P1090563_zps73a50209.jpg)
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/Trad%20gang/P1090566_zps005c446a.jpg)
The memories of that hunt etched in my mind for evermore have been embellished
By the addition of the post hunt scenes, which comprised of watching my soon to be wife slowly work my drop point knife down the leg of my first bow shot deer, taking the upmost care not to ruin my prize, as she knew how long I'd dreamt of taking a deer with my longbow.
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/Trad%20gang/IMG_1426_zps8d2ac23e.jpg)
As she slowly separated hide from flesh, I marvelled at how lucky I was to find a girl like this and at how determined and elated she was at the thorough job she was doing skinning and butchering her first deer.
(http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g463/markpitts1/Trad%20gang/IMG_1449_zps2d62552d.jpg)
Content with the realisation and the memories of this deer and its transition from fauna to food, I continued on with another piece of the bounty it had provided for me and the people dear to me, with a quick glance up I received a smile and a nod from the people around me and I knew that what I'd done had been appreciated.
Since my last article, I have had the pleasure of meeting some of the best bowhunter's Australia has to offer and I have been in awe of there achievements, not just as hunters, but as genuine people.
They have inspired me in so many ways and increased my passion for bowhunting through stories and information, freely given to appreciative ears.
After being here for nearly 3 years now, I have fortunately made some good friends of whom I've hunted with and hope to enjoy more hunts with in the future. And I would like to thank them for the knowledge they've been so forthcoming with and their acceptance of a hunter that is passionate about bows and arrows.
Cheers
Mark.
That's twice the luck!! Deer and dear congrats on both. Way to go! :clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
Hey,
That's a great tale and well narrated! At first I thought "why is this post in Italian? :D "
Then I read a few more lines and the penny dropped...
Congratulations for both the deer and the coming soon wedding.
Thanks for sharing, loved the pictures too :)
Max
That's some killer stuff man. :thumbsup:
Congrats on the marriage too. It is a wonderful thing.
Very well written story, well done, sir! Congrats, you are a very blessed man.
You better marry a woman that skins your critters.
Love the writing and I wish you and yours the best.
It is easy to see through your writing how much passion you have for hunting. As much as I love it, I have never known what it's like to not have hunting litterally at my fingertips. I am spoiled. Thanks for the breath of fresh air and reminder to not take it for granted.
Todd
Congrats good story!
Great story Mark! Congrats on all of your accomplishments.
still one of the best pieces of writing i've had the pleasure of reading.
your lucky to be able to express your thoughts and emotions in such a way. i wish to write in the same manner on my own experiences but the words fail to come to me.
Thanks for sharing your story and congratulations on the Deer.
I am sure you will have many more adventures with that fine young lady at your side, best of luck to you both...!
Congrats on your deer Mark,, Very well written story.
Best wishes on your wedding. :thumbsup: :campfire:
Wow....great story and very well written. Thanks for that! Congrats on both relationships!!
:archer:
Awesome read - thanks for sharing! :thumbsup:
Well written story, congrats on the succesful hunt and choice in companionship. May you share many more successful hunts together.
Fantastic all the way around Brother! And you are now truly a Brother of the bow!
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Congrats! Great story!
Absolutely awesome read!
And congrats on your first deer (of many I am sure)!
Bisch
Thankyou guys, Your kind words are very encouraging.
These stories I am putting up have happened over the last 6 years, while I have been in Australia.
I have been married for 3 of these years to my beautiful wife and we have a child due in 5 weeks now.
Couldn't be happier, It seems if you do take a chance thing can pay off. You just have to take the path less travelled which may be a harder journey but the rewards are so much greater.
That is why we are all on this site as we have all answered the call of that challenge.
Cheers
Mark.
Congrats and thanks for sharing..... Very well written.
Well done on all accounts!
Happy for your success in your life... the baby will change your life and you will have a hunting partner in the future.
Thank you for sharing your journey Mark, very well done.
Some guys have all the luck!! :D
That little one will change your life and expose you to feelings and emotions you NEVER thought existed!!
:thumbsup:
Great writing! Thanks for sharing.
Congratulations! Time to put that hero picture up as an avatar.
:clapper: :clapper:
:bigsmyl:
Great account of a super hunt. There will be many more. Your heart is in the right place and that makes for lots of success in life.
:thumbsup:
Awesome story Mark! Thank you for sharing!!! Can't wait to hear future adventures of yours!!!
Aloha!
Ryan
Great story and well told.
Good on ya buddy, you've got the right mindset for sure! And SHE looks like a keeper ;) Congrats. Non-American women seem far less spoiled by tender sensibilities and sensitivities to REAL life. I count myself lucky as at least I married a Texan, but even she has that modern America princess attitude from time to time, but then again she and I are just city slickers so whatcha expect haha.
GREAT STORY!
Great story , love the way your toten that doe
good on ya, mate - twice thrice over! :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :D