An Intrepid Boy, An Old Bow, and A Good Buck

NYRON · November 21, 2016, 03:38:00 PM

It's been a great bow season for our family and Traditional Spirit Outdoors .

On October 2, we welcomed a newborn daughter, Leela, into our family, so it's been an exciting (and sleepless) fall!

With the freezer full of venison by early November, I didn't think it could get any better, but it did!

I was fortunate enough to hang my tag on a very fine buck, especially for the mountain ground that I hunt in upstate New York.

The whole experience was made even more special by a boy and a bow.

First and foremost is the boy. My son Rex was there to lead the tracking and recovery effort. At not yet 3 years old, this was already Rex's second track and he did a great job. I'm amazed at what even very young children can learn if you give them experiences and the chance to prove themselves. He saw blood that my old eyes missed and when spotting the downed buck up ahead, showed a youthful excitement that would plaster a smile on any Dad's face.

Next is the bow. The splendid old recurve is a 1966 Kodiak--the two of us are kin in that we share the same birth year. Between myself and the bow, we have exactly 100 years experience on this Earth. The old girl started out as a 55 pound factory camo version, but I reduced her by 5 pounds, added new decals, and restored her with hand-rubbed coats of finish...now if only I could lose 5 pounds and get "restored."

Finally, more to be thankful for. My book, A Traditional Bowhunter's Path: Lessons and Adventures at Full Draw is selling well and getting great reviews Traditional Path Reviews .

Many thanks to all who have purchased my book and sent such great comments.

The boy, the bow, and the buck will give me even more to write about.

ron w · November 21, 2016, 05:04:00 PM

Homey88 · November 21, 2016, 05:42:00 PM

Congrats Ron! Great buck! Even more special that your son was with you! Way to go!

Tajue17 · November 21, 2016, 06:22:00 PM

oh man that picture is priceless and needs to be the center point on the wall at home....

Chumster · November 21, 2016, 06:53:00 PM

That is an outstanding picture, loaded with memories!

huntmaster70 · November 21, 2016, 06:55:00 PM

Thats special!

Oak518 · November 21, 2016, 07:08:00 PM

Congrats on the birth of your daughter. Great buck and picture.

South MS Bowhunter · November 21, 2016, 07:09:00 PM

Friend · November 21, 2016, 07:13:00 PM

Outstanding!!!!!

Steve Jr · November 21, 2016, 07:53:00 PM

That's Awesome, congratulations on everything it doesn't get much better

Kopper1013 · November 21, 2016, 07:59:00 PM

Congrats

November 21, 2016, 08:29:00 PM

Bisch

Jayrod · November 21, 2016, 08:37:00 PM

Way to go!! Congrats

wooddamon1 · November 22, 2016, 08:17:00 AM

NYRON · November 22, 2016, 09:17:00 AM

Thanks, everyone!!

Here's a picture the tracker when he looked ahead and saw his first bow-killed deer back in October.

And, a shot of him at full draw with his beloved Black Rhino bow.

I think he's hooked...

Sam McMichael · November 22, 2016, 09:29:00 AM

Hey, Nyron, that little rascal has better form than I do, by far. If he stays with it, he will become a fine archer, indeed.

Now comes the hard part of raising him. That is teaching him that a big brother must help protect and teach his little sister, which, may in a few years, entail letting her shoot his bow! He is a great little boy. I am sure that you have by now realized that raising kids is the most fun hobby possible.

Trenton G. · November 22, 2016, 09:30:00 AM

Congrats on your new daughter and a great deer! Those pictures are great!

Fritz · November 22, 2016, 09:39:00 AM

Very cool. Congrats!

Mark Baker · November 22, 2016, 10:00:00 AM

Very nice!

Irish Archer · November 22, 2016, 10:21:00 AM

Nice buck, congrats.