Fellas-2009 is the start of my 53rd year of Bowhunting. I Bowhunted Deer the 1st time in 1956 at the age of 15, I took my 1st Deer in 1958 at the age of 17 with a 45# recurve, wood arrow I fletched myself & a MA3 blade head-35 yd shot, dbl lung& 30 yard dash.I managed 38 Biggame animals with recurve & wood, forgewoodor Fiberglassarrows& no sights or releases. Since then I have been on a Bowhunting Journy that many will only dream of & a variety of Biggame animals. Archery & Bowhunting has always been a major element in my life AFTER GOD & FAMILY.
After a 5 year stint with the Navy/MarinesI worked at a steel mill & had a archery shop/lanes the entire time.I vested my time at the mill& went full time for about 8 years with 2 archery shop/lanes in 2 different towns & was a archery column writer for a state distributed sports magazine& occassional archery magazine articles plus being a local Archery Club officer &held variousState Archery Assn. offices.I kept very busy with Archery/Bowhunting & traveled ALL the tournys during my PRIME time (70s80s) state& sectional shoots. My Bowhunting evolved from kill any Deer to being selective (after several animals) to very selective on Whitetail Bucks(I started shooting Does again in 2007-the 1st since 1980. I have never been a true TROPHY hunter so when I Bowhunt something new to me-it's still (for the most part) ANY LEGAL animal. I have traveled many states & Canada Bowhunting & the list is Elk, Caribou, Buffalo, Black Bears, Mule deer, Some Exotic deer, Sheep, Goat,Wild Hogs, Javalina& many many Whitetails.I have been fortunate to have taken several P&Y animals ONLY because they walked by-not because I specifically hunted them& I have never entered any-I do know their scores. I get just as excited drawing on a 100# wild hog as I do a big Whitetail buck or a doe. When I "KNOW" I am going to take a shot at whatever-I get excited.
I managed 4 animals in 2008- 2 wild hogs in Oklahoma & 2 Whitetail Does.
I did let a few Whitetail Bucks pass asI was trying for a personal best this year-I came "CLOSE" on 3 different occassions but each time the Buck didn't make that fatal last step he needed to-that's why they are BIG.
I don't know if I have evolved over the years as a bowhunter- I know I have had TONs of great experiences Bowhunting & have seen some major changes in Bowhunting tackle BUT for the most part-Bowhunters are still good ol Guys & Gals. The BIGGEST RACK doesn't make you the Best Bowhunter on the block. It is always best to be a little humble if YOU ARE BLESSED to bag that BIG ONE.... Good Luck to all.