Back at it!

[Sarah]

It's been so long since I've posted on this forum – the last couple of years were distracting to say the least. But this year with school out of the way and two cross-country moves under my belt, I was ready to pick up my bow and get back to it.

I practiced all summer, heart set on hunting this fall. I hummed and hawed, not confident in my skills or my setup. When I began practicing archery I had so many mentors guiding my way, though now on my own I find hunting to be the most intimidating thing. It hit me that I had to go out and do it, or always regret having not done it.

So last Saturday I went back into the woods, three years after making my first kill (ever), a squirrel with my bow. At 5:30 AM I hiked way in to a private property that my boyfriend's brother, Trevor, and some other locals have permission to hunt. Sat until 10:30 and didn't see a thing except squirrels. Texted back and forth with Trevor who told me he rarely saw anything there but was coming out later in the afternoon.

Came out to get some coffee and learned that an elderly neighbor had gone in after me at 8:30, toting a rifle and covered head to toe in blaze orange. I shrugged, convinced there were not deer on the land, disappointed and thinking I may not even go back in.

Not 30 minutes later, out lumbered the elderly neighbor, dragging a fat doe behind him. I jumped out of my chair to run outside and talk to him. He was barely in the woods for three hours! I couldn't help but be jealous (even though he had a significant advantage in terms of firepower and I don't have a doe tag anyway).      

I went back in, determined to at least spot a deer. Five hours later I came out again, having seen nothing. Trevor didn't see anything that afternoon either. Sitting still in the quiet felt almost meditative, the forest was glowing with the colors of autumn - I spent the entire time willing the deer in my direction to no avail!

It was disappointing in a way, but it broke the ice, and now I can't wait to get back. A day in the woods with my beautiful bow and bits and pieces given to me by all of the friends I've found through archery. I wore my knife that lmchief helped me make, thick red wool pants that Doc Nock procured for me (about ten sizes too big but I used pins to make them snug), arrows a local acquaintance helped me build, quiver from Rod at Safari Tuff – so much generosity and so many wonderful memories. I'd love to bag a deer this season, but even if I don't I am so grateful for the experience. Thanks Gang - Gotta start somewhere!

[Birdbow]

It's always great to be in the woods. The experiences we have and things we witness apart from shooting something are priceless, right?

[DennyK]

Sarah, Every time you go out, your chances of seeing deer and shooting deer goes up. Sounds like you appreciate all the right things. Good Luck!   Denny

[Shedrock]

Keep after it. It will happen before you know it.

[Shakes.602]

Never give up! The Fire inside doesnt go out, it might slow down a bit, but there is a Raging Inferno just Itching to get Stoked Up!!
 Good for You to even BE out in the Woods!! I agree with you, this Trad Gang is Folks of the Best Folks that Breathe, Eat, and Sleep Archery!!

[The Whittler]

Welcome back.

[Whip]

Good to hear that you are back Sarah!  Keep at it, and your time will come.  Looking forward to the next installment!

[Sam McMichael]

Sarah I have been hunting deer for about 50 years, both with the gun and with the bow. There have been a lot of days when no deer were seen as well as a lot of sightings with no shot opportunity. That is just part of hunting, but with experience your luck will improve. However, even though you did not come out of the woods with a deer, you did come out with something very valuable. That is your feeling that you can't wait to go back. The thrill of the hunt lives in the very soul of every real hunter, and you seem to have the soul of a hunter (huntress). Good luck and keep hunting.

[huntsman247]

Hey, it's always good in the woods.  Welcome back!

[Richie]

Stay motivated  

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Welcome back Sarah.

Good luck this season and enjoy your time afeild. it seems as if you do not need me to tell you though, sounds as if you already are.      

[**DONOTDELETE**]

The odds of seeing deer hunting on the ground and combing the woods is always going to be higher than sitting in a tree stand or a ground blind. But your shot opportunities decrease significantly at close yardage stalking.

That experience you had could have very easily gone the other way if the rifle hunter pushed the deer your way...... good luck to you.  

being in the right place, at the right time increases when you spend more time in the woods.

[TJK68]

Stick with it, don't give up, it will happen for you. Good luck and enjoy your time afield.

[Wiley Coyote]

Welcome back!! Just keep trying and it will happen!      

Stick with it and Good Luck! I'll be waiting to see the pics of your deer.

Bisch

[vermonster13]

Welcome back Sarah

[b.glass]

Good to hear that you're back Sarah! I will be watching for updates.

    Bona
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[PA stickbow boy]

Good Luck Sarah