Bow Season

Well it’s almost here. Opening day of bow season starts Tuesday. While many people are beyond excited, to the point where they cannot even sleep because all they can think about is that first deer they see walking through the woods on opening morning, I seem to be having mixed emotions. Part of me is excited because in my eyes, once bow season starts I start the count down for riffle season. But I am also part jealous of these hunters. Once bow season opens that means I have to see and hear about all the big bucks that have already been taken by friends, family, or even a complete stranger. I have to hear this because I am not a bow hunter myself unfortunately. So for me this just means a have to wait even longer to get my chance at that “trophy buck” and also see my chances dwindle down deer after deer.

Bow hunting has always been something I have been interested in. I have done archery for many of years and I really enjoy shooting bows, but I have never invested in one myself. Year after year I keep telling myself I am going to buy a bow so I can hunt in archery season but I just never have for unknown reasons. Who knows maybe this year I will, it’s never too late to start. A few reasons that may make me decide to buy a bow this year is I am so over hearing about my brother getting a deer before I do. Yes he is my brother, and yes I am happy for him, but that brother sister jealousy/competitiveness kicks in and year after year he always beats me to the deer so buying a bow would finally give me the opportunity I have been looking for. Also last year I learned working at Franks Great Outdoors on opening day can be quite challenging. When you are stuck working and customers keep coming in one after another with that huge grin on their face, beyond excited because they either shot maybe their first deer or maybe tenth, you can’t help but wish you were out in the woods and not working. But it also has its positive aspects. You get to hear all of the hunters stories about their deer, even if it wasn’t you shooting it, being a hunter you enjoy hearing people stories and seeing how excited they are about it. Also being able to congratulate a fellow hunter is always a great feeling. So even though I will be working at Franks on opening day again this year, I may be a little jealous at first but overall I wish all the hunters the best of luck and I cannot wait to hear their stories and congratulate them myself.

Good Luck Hunters!

Opening day

It’s Offical, Goose hunting season has opened on the 21^st! As this day approached I found myself preparing. Buying everything I need last minute, Making sure I have somewhere to hunt, getting all my camo ready for opening morning. It’s like an extreme excitement rushes over me, feeling like I am a little kid on Christmas morning.

                I never have been a morning person, but there is just something different about waking up early to do something you love. To most people, setting an alarm to wake you up at five in the morning would be the death of them. To me, it’s nothing! As soon as the alarm goes off telling you to wake up, automatically the excitement sets in. All these scenarios run through your head, am I going to see anything, if I do am I going to be in shooting range, if so is it going to me a hit or miss.. I just cannot wait to actually get out in the field or bay and set up. So I get ready as quick as possible, pack up everything I need, head out on the road and reach my hunting spot. Then I just sit and wait for shooting hours to open up…

                To most, a bad day of hunting would be to sit out in the cold and not see a thing. I do not consider this a bad day, to me there is never a bad day when you are sitting out in the woods, field, or bay. There is just something about being in the nature. It’s so peaceful; it’s a place where you can be to just completely clear your mind for awhile, thinking of nothing but the wild life that is surrounding you.

Granted a day where you see nothing will ever compare to a day you do. Words can’t explain the feeling you get when you see a flock of geese heading your way. Wondering how many there actually are, if they are going to fly right over top of your head, making sure your doing all the calls the correct way, trying to hide the best you can, and then when they are right above you, preparing to shoot. The rush you get when you shoot and see the geese fall to the ground, knowing you made the kill can make your whole day. Then it’s off to go track down and find your kills to see the size of the goose.

                Why would I choose the topic of hunting? Well there are several answers to this question. One being hunting is my absolute favorite past time. Another reason is I work at a sporting goods store and I sell hunting and fishing licenses.  Not only do I personal love hunting and fishing, I also have a lot of knowledge on the topic.

                Hunting and fishing is something I was brought up too. My mom, dad, and brother all had a huge impact on why I learned to love the sport. My dad for buying and showing me how to use the guns, my mom for teaching me the proper way to dress in camouflage and all the techniques to hunting,  and my brother for always taking me out hunting with him.

                To me hunting is a way of relaxing. It’s being able to go out in the woods for hours and hours and have zero responsibilities. Listening to the sounds of nature and watching every detail that you may never have noticed before. Just being able to clear your mind from any drama that may be going on in your life is enough to keep me happy.

                I will have to admit though; my girly side does kick in when it comes to hunting. One of my favorite things about it is being able to constantly shop for new hunting gear. Even though to some it may just be camo, to me it’s like picking out diamonds at a jewelry store. My golden rule is you can never have too much. Whether it’d be clothing, boats, or pink gun and bows, I just seem to love it all endlessly.

                My favorite part of hunting though is the bond it has built between my brother and I. Hunting is something that we both share in common and we both enjoy doing together. We have had so many good and bad memories come from hunting. The happy moments when I got my first deer or my brother just shot a huge buck. Also the sad memories of “the deer that got away” or just sitting out in the woods in freezing temperatures not seeing a single deer insight. No matter what the memories may be, good or bad, I would not take them back for anything. To me hunting is not just a sport; it’s a way of living. Hunting is something I will continue to do the rest of my life and I will also teach my children one day.