What's the one (just one) thing that you enjoy most in bowhunting? Is it the extended season? Is it being face to face with the animals? Is it the excitement/satisfaction you feel after killing a deer within throwing distance? Is it that people go "daaaaaaaamn" when you tell them you killed that monster with an arrow? What does it for you? :D
Honestly, all corniness aside.... From spring sheds, to summer velvet, to fall hunting and winter scouting.... So the one thing I enjoy the most... The Journey.
The one thing that keeps me in love with bow hunting would be those cool, crisp, cold Oct. and Nov. mornings...Nothing better!
It's definitely the face to face thing for me! It was January 2002 and I was in a ground blind with my rifle and a deer walked within 5 yards of me. Right then I asked myself "Why the hell aren't you a bowhunter?" So, I bought one. I killed my first deer with a bow the next January. I've been trying to kill another one since then, just hasn't happened yet. I have only passed on 2 (two) deer since I bought this bow. My buddies think I'm crazy because I keep trying so hard at something I obviously suck at. I don't care...I'm not giving up!
"The journey", that's great buckeye! Honestly it's all the things you encounter during your time in the woods that keep me coming back. What tops it all off is being able to count eyelashes before the shot that always lives forever in my soul.
It's so tough to pick just one. But since I have to, I'll say that it's the proximity. The closeness, in my opinion, is what creates the majority of the emotions that shoot through your veins, during a bow hunt.
This is a tough one... A couple things that give me butterflies is being extremely close to an animal that doesn't know I'm there, but mostly the one moment when I set my eyes on it/hear it/ realize its presence for the first time. Overall though, the entire experience is great. (I guess you all know that though!)
The distinct seperation of an old, well educated buck versus just any deer. His behaviors are refined and calculated, he is his own boss and he does everything for a reason. He is hard to kill with a bow and arrow. The mature buck and everything he has to offer up as obstacles definately keep me coming back.
The thrill of being able to encounter deer at such a close range, and being able to kill them at that range.
Closeness, to God and his creation. There is nothing more spiritual for me than sitting in the woods contemplating the unearned grace and undeserved mercy He has blessed me with.
The freedom to just walk through the woods, unencumbered by the hectic life that exists just right down the road.
The challange of getting em in close, I quit gun hunting because it simply doesn't appeal to me (anymore)and never had the same feeling after downing a deer - no comparison - I will bowhunt only as long as I can pull the string back - got my best buck the day after Thanksgiving last year with guns blazing all around - confirmed I was doing the right thing and how I wanted to do it made it that much sweeter - one hell of an adrenline rush and just don't get that hunting any other way
