archery hunting

A Virtual Balance

Five missed calls and 33 new emails. I slid the phone back in my pocket and stared at the Y in the trail contemplating my dilemma: go to work or keep looking. An October snow storm prompted me to take a couple of hours off in the morning to go hunt my favorite stand. The wind was right and I knew the rut was kicking off. It was a Wednesday and I told myself I would sit until 10:00 am. I could return phone calls on my drive back home and should be at my desk by 11:15 a.m. It was already 10:30 a.m. and I hadn’t been able to find a single speck of blood.

I Don't Care About the Blood

“Look deep, and if you stare at the water long enough you’ll get your opportunity” – Boat Ramp Wisdom

Simple, yet profound, this advice was solicited from a fellow bow fisherman at the boat ramp. His craft was anchored to the dock at the same time we were pulling out. There was one big difference: he had a paddlefish laying in the bottom of his johnboat and I did not. I congratulated him on his catch and asked if he had any tips. That prose of wisdom was all he provided.

Time

Imagine playing a crazy game of poker where there was only one hand. Everyone is dealt four cards to start.  Naturally some hands will be better than others.  However, the fifth card is wild.  No matter how poor of hand you had to start, if used correctly, the wild card will let you win.  Some players will waste it. Others will hesitate and never use it. The winner will figure out how to maximize the card immediately and as a result rise to greatness.

Something You Have to Try This Turkey Season: Reap a Wild One

Half way across the river water rose above my belly button.  I had never turkey hunted in chest waders, however I was glad Rod talked me into going home and grabbing them.  My original plan was to cross in muck boots, and that would have ended badly.  For now I was dry and heading to the opposite bank…bow in one hand and my reaping decoy in the other.