Did you ever want to experience something new?  I do all the time.  I told my husband that I wanted to learn how to shoot a bow and go Archery Hunting this past fall.  I was so excited about this event, because I never did anything like this before.  I shot my first deer with my Remington model 700 the year before and really fell in love with hunting.  I mentioned to him about bow hunting and before I knew it.  We were both shopping around for a bow for me.  We looked on the internet, read articles in the bow magazine to help me find a nice bow.   I came across the Parkers Bow Sidekick XP Extreme Pink package set.  I was so excited it was in our price range and everything came with it and it’s ready to shoot.   I wanted a pink bow; but not a bright pink bow.  I wanted something a little girly for me.  I also wanted something that stood out from my husbands’ bow.  I saw it and read about it and I e-mailed my husband the information on it.  He saw that Bass Pro Shop has it in stock so before I knew it my bow was ordered.  Yeah!!!  

My husband says honey “Happy Anniversary!” my bow was my Anniversary present.  I was all excited about it, I just had to learn and practice shooting it.  I worked out every day and practice shooting my bow every weekend.  I was desperate to learn how to shoot my bow and do it effectively.  I will admit the first time I tried pulling my bow I couldn’t get it to full draw I tried and tried and tried.  I was taught not to give up, and to try until you succeed.  My husband helped me and we laughed about me trying to pull my bow.  So he stated “If you’re really interested in learning how to shoot this fall?  We need to get you in shape.”  So he gave me an exercise routine and equipment to help me called a Bow Fit.  (www.bowfit.com)  Bow Fit is unique exercise equipment for archers to help strengthen your arms and upper body.  I loved it!  I could take it with me where ever I went, and didn’t take up  any space at all in my suitcase.  I worked out at every opportunity I could.  (I’m still working out even after the season is over just to stay in shape.)  I started my practice shooting at 20 yards, then to 30 yards, then to 40 yards.  Then he had me shoot at 10 yards.  I was so excited about how well I was learning how to shoot my bow.  I couldn’t wait for Archery Season to come in.  I knew I could hit a deer with my skills I was learning.  (Thanks to my wonderful husband and trainer)

 Archery Hunting is in and I’m ready! I have my Safety Harness on, which he taught me how to use it.  I have my gear and I’m ready to go and get in my tree-stand.  Yippee!  I was all excited about this day. I never really thought of what I would expect out in the field.  Our first day out in the morning, we saw a skunk that was walking around scavenging for food.  My husband shined his flashlight on him to confirm that it was a skunk and we avoided him for sure. 

 He helped me get in my tree-stand, before he went across the field to get into his stand.  I was ready I had my radio, cell-phone, munchies, chap-stick, tissues, gloves, and my journal.  I was all ready to go and I just couldn’t wait for daybreak to see all the wildlife.  I didn’t see anything at first, except I saw a red squirrel in my tree with me.  I had two different ones at different times in it. Later, I told my husband about the squirrels he said “you need to watch out for them they are mean and will give away your position by barking at you.”  Now he tells me after the fact.  It was all good no problems here. Then the deer started coming out I didn’t see anything in the morning; but I did see a lot in the evening time.

 I’m ready now to pull my bow, at first I had a little trouble with it.  As soon as I made it over the hump of pulling my bow, it was very easy and I aimed for the deer.   I was trying to remember what all he informed me to do.  I was aiming my sites on the deer, but every time I shot at the deer they just stood there and looked at my direction.  They didn’t even see me or even know I was there.  So I shot again and again and again. Well I couldn’t understand why I wasn’t hitting the deer and they just stared up at my direction.  I called my husband on the radio and said this “Honey I’m all out of Arrows what do I do?” I couldn’t understand what I was doing wrong.  I did everything I thought I was doing right.  I never did this before and so I didn’t know how to fix my errors.  I sat in my tree-stand pondering on my aim, my shots, and trying to figure out how to fix it for next time.  I was really desperate on learning this new sport.   I thought this is probably something I could fix; but how do I fix it.  I laughed about how the deer just stood there and didn’t move.  I wish I would’ve had my camera with me, I saw some really good photo opportunities.  It was dark when my husband caught up to me after the day of hunting.    He shined his flashlight down on my arrows and they were almost in a row.  He couldn’t figure out how I could manage something like this.  The next day we went out and he climbed up in my tree-stand and took the same shots I did with my bow.  The arrows landed right where they were suppose to so my bow wasn’t off.  Then he asked me “Honey! Where were you aiming?” I said “at the heart Why?”  Honey you are shooting from a tree stand and your elevation changes the aiming point you aim on the side of the deer. I was shooting too low and the arrows went just under the deer. He told me I need to aim a little higher so when the arrow gets there it will be right where you want to hit it. Think about where the arrow will exit the deer on the other side.   Awe gees! I said I forgot about that, I was so used to shooting my rifle and being on target.  I forgot that I needed to aim higher on the side of the deer when shooting from a tree-stand.  Well I learned my first lesson about bow hunting.  Honestly, I think he told me that, but I was so nervous about everything, and trying to remember everything he told me.

 I forgot the most important things he taught me aim at the right point on the deer and to Aim Small and Miss Small. (If you aim for a small point and miss you will still be close. If you aim at a big area and miss you missed big).  Oh yes! I remember now, but I will remember that for next time for sure.  This little mistake has taught me a vital lesson about bow hunting.  I never did get a deer with my bow; but next fall will be different for sure.  I will be ready for Archery Season.