| For most of us, bowhunting is much more than | | | | an indistinguishable part of the native flora and fauna. |
| harvesting an animal. Many of us started out as rifle | | | | We test our ability to sit totally silent for long periods |
| hunters; and while we still anticipate and enjoy our | | | | of time or stalk with stealth like silence. |
| rifle hunts, it is bowhunting that captures our | | | | And when the moment comes that we happen to |
| greatest emotions. Why do we bowhunt? Why do | | | | find ourselves at full draw with our prey in our sights, |
| we get so much out of our sport when the success | | | | it tests our ability to control our emotions in order to |
| rate is far below that of rifle hunting? | | | | complete the shot. Bowhunting provides us the |
| Why do we plan, prepare, and purchase for our | | | | greatest natural "rush" possible. To be within yards of |
| bowhunts with such enthusiasm? For this hunter it is | | | | wild animals of all types makes our hearts leap. To be |
| the whole experience that provides such anticipation | | | | that close and have them not know we are there |
| prior to the hunt and the warmest emotions following | | | | doubles the excitement. Even when we head back to |
| it. Why bowhunting; because it provides us a chance | | | | our daily lives empty handed we are still filled with an |
| to enjoy our friends and family away from civilization. | | | | abundance of emotionally charged experiences that |
| The camp becomes the center of the hunt. It is our | | | | continually nurture us. We are forced to live our lives |
| opportunity to create our own space in the wild and | | | | in the civilized world to support our families and |
| return to some ancestral existence. The camp is our | | | | lifestyles but bowhunting provides us the opportunity |
| home in the field. In this modern society filled with | | | | to escape the "real" world and nourish our mental and |
| external electronic stimulation, our camp provides us | | | | emotional lives! Although the bow and arrow have |
| the internal stimulation we require to stay human. We | | | | become more technologically advanced, it is still an |
| all look forward to the sharing of stories from the | | | | archaic method of hunting; flinging a projectile whose |
| day's hunt. | | | | speed and accuracy are reliant upon the strength and |
| We are allowed into, and get to share in the | | | | steadiness of the archer. |
| powerful experience of our hunt partners. Those | | | | By its very nature, bowhunting allows the hunter the |
| shared experiences become etched in our emotions | | | | opportunity to step back in time and forces him to |
| and increase our anticipation for the next hunt. It is | | | | rely on his hunter/gatherer nature. As a bowhunter I |
| as much a part of the hunt as the actual hunting. I | | | | feel a little more vulnerable than I do when I rifle |
| am still amazed how my heart leaps at the sight of | | | | hunt. I am far more dependent upon my skills for my |
| the camp at the end of a long day's hunt. No matter | | | | success and safety. That vulnerability is what makes |
| how crude, it still feels as inviting as any home I've | | | | the bowhunter appreciate the vastness and power |
| owned. I know I'll feel safety, warmth and fellowship; | | | | of the natural world. The bowhunter, in the field, gets |
| it is why we bowhunt. Bowhunting, more than any | | | | a sense of how small, yet connected, he is to his |
| other outdoor experience, offers us the opportunity | | | | surroundings. In much the same way a surfer feels |
| to become a part of the wild region that we | | | | about the ocean waves, or a mountain climber about |
| temporarily inhabit. Be it a tree stand, blind or some | | | | his ascent, the bowhunter respects his surroundings, |
| naturally occurring vantage point, our goal is to | | | | and cannot wait until the next time he's allowed the |
| become a part of the surroundings. We camouflage | | | | opportunity to revive his spirit and refresh his soul; |
| our bodies and mask our scent in order to become | | | | this is why we bowhunt. |