The older I get (my heart rate was 10 beats below my actual age today)the more every archery season becomes a regeneration for my spirit. I await this season to find the deep peace that can only come from spending alone time in the woods/up in a tree at daybreak.
The hunt is not important but the preparation for the hunt is vidal to the cleansing that occurs from the hours of meditation and zen like transformation that occurs in September and October.
I go on vacations with my wife and family and those are wonderful but only a traditional hunter knows the deep cleasing and ensuing peace that occurs from our sport. The downtime is intense.The introspection goes on until the calm and confidence ensues. Not about the hunt but  life. It teaches me many things.

Charlie Lamb said it best: "We take life in order to learn how to live life".

I have told my wife I would much rather be in the woods thinking of God than in church thinking of hunting.
So I anxiously await the hunt. Eventually my soul seems to be able to see past the tranparency of this life, i.e what camo I have on, how my set up is,how my equipment is working, and free my heart so it feels in union with immortality.

Paul

Well said!

A nice description of the way most of us feel I think.....well done.

It's great to have you back Legolas,,your writing to me at times can explain the unexplainable so clear!    Does that make sense?  

I think you pretty well nailed it for me.  Well Said!

Flatstick,
I am humbled to know I was missed. Thank you!

Leg

very well said, we are a lot alike!

WOW!!  

Deep cleansing peace. Very well said indeed.

Well said, except I think of God in the woods AND in church.  Last year I killed a nice Georgia doe at about 0830.  Tracked her, dressed her, propped her open and ran to the truck to find a hose at my landowners house to wash my hands, changed clothes and made it to church to teach my Sunday school class of 6th graders at 1015.  Served in church, then my daughter and I stopped by to roll the cart to the truck and load her up.  Talk about a great morning!  The joy of urban deer hunting!

I completely understand...

Wishing You Gentle Winds,

Claudia

Yep...nicely said!

QuoteOriginally posted by adkmountainken:
very well said, we are a lot alike!

My feelings as well.  

ditto  

AMEN!

Well said!

Well put.

"...I would much rather be in the woods thinking of God than in church thinking of hunting."

Awesome sentiment.    

I resemble those remarks...  Thanks  Jeff

Cool stuff there. If a man didn't have bowhunting in his soul would he be stirred to pen such refined prose?