F
Field Ethos
Guest
When I’m not on the water, I try to be in the woods. It’s just what I do. It’s where I feel most alive. Cliché? Maybe. But that doesn’t make it any less true.
Living in Florida, I’m blessed to have access to hunting year-round, thanks to a healthy population of feral hogs. I am a hunter, plain and simple. I don’t feel the need to dress it up any more than that. Deer, ducks, or dove—it doesn’t matter. Drop me in the wild and I’m happy.
The method isn’t really a dealbreaker for me. I’m not a purist on either side. Although I do prefer bowhunting over rifle hunting, that has absolutely nothing to do with … well, anything. It boils down to what gives me the biggest rush. Hell, if I could effectively kill an animal with a rock, I would. Honestly, that would be a lot easier on my wallet. But knowing the hunting industry, they’d come out with some fancy military-grade version with a catchy name.
“Hey, have you tried the new Goliath-Grade Stones?”
Anyway.
For me, there’s nothing more adrenaline-pumping than releasing an arrow inside 20 yards. Before the shot, I’m ice-cold and steady (with one notable exception). I can’t explain it. I’m honed in on my target until that arrow is gone. Once I hear the sweet schwack of the arrow making contact, my hands become essentially incapable of performing even the simplest tasks. They shake uncontrollably.
Adrenaline is a hell of a drug.
It doesn’t matter how big the animal is, either. Ten-point or doe—the feeling is the same. There’s just something about being that close. It feels like leveling the playing field, even if only a little.
That’s not a knock on rifle hunting, nor am I saying it’s easier. Plenty can still go wrong. I learned that firsthand on my antelope hunt, which actually makes a decent comparison between the two.
I killed my antelope at 250 yards—after three prior attempts. Damn, they are skittish! I was happy as hell with the result, but the feeling didn’t even come close to what I get from a successful bow kill. I’d like to think it’s because of the added difficulty, but part of me suspects it runs deeper than that.
Maybe it’s primal.
After all, Genesis 27:3 says, “Now then, take your weapons, your quiver and your bow, and go out to the field and hunt wild game for me.” I’m well aware firearms didn’t exist at the time, but honestly, I still think the bow would’ve been the tool of choice.
Can you imagine: “Take your .300 Win Mag and blast wild game for me”?
Maybe. That could resonate.
I understand some of the hesitation—or outright resistance—to bowhunting. There are a few folks out there who make me hesitant to even admit I hunt at all. No names needed. Everyone knows who they are. The ones who brag about wounding—sorry, killing—animals at ridiculous distances. I know there are circumstances that require taking long shots, but the ones I speak of aren’t them.
Long bow shots are a lot like yoga pants. Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.
Unfortunately, a few bad apples do spoil the bunch, and some manufacturers don’t help, either. They bankroll “influencers” who’ll do just about anything for content.
For the ’gram, man.
And to be clear—I’m not saying bowhunting is better or worse than any other method. I truly believe to each their own. If firearms or crossbows are your thing, have at it. Do what makes you happy and what puts meat in the freezer.
At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what brand of anything you’re using.
What matters is getting out there and enjoying your God-given right to hunt. And if that entails a bow, well then—let it fly.
The post Take Your Weapons, Your Quiver and Your Bow appeared first on Field Ethos.
Continue reading...
Living in Florida, I’m blessed to have access to hunting year-round, thanks to a healthy population of feral hogs. I am a hunter, plain and simple. I don’t feel the need to dress it up any more than that. Deer, ducks, or dove—it doesn’t matter. Drop me in the wild and I’m happy.
The method isn’t really a dealbreaker for me. I’m not a purist on either side. Although I do prefer bowhunting over rifle hunting, that has absolutely nothing to do with … well, anything. It boils down to what gives me the biggest rush. Hell, if I could effectively kill an animal with a rock, I would. Honestly, that would be a lot easier on my wallet. But knowing the hunting industry, they’d come out with some fancy military-grade version with a catchy name.
“Hey, have you tried the new Goliath-Grade Stones?”
Anyway.
Bow Up
For me, there’s nothing more adrenaline-pumping than releasing an arrow inside 20 yards. Before the shot, I’m ice-cold and steady (with one notable exception). I can’t explain it. I’m honed in on my target until that arrow is gone. Once I hear the sweet schwack of the arrow making contact, my hands become essentially incapable of performing even the simplest tasks. They shake uncontrollably.
Adrenaline is a hell of a drug.
It doesn’t matter how big the animal is, either. Ten-point or doe—the feeling is the same. There’s just something about being that close. It feels like leveling the playing field, even if only a little.
That’s not a knock on rifle hunting, nor am I saying it’s easier. Plenty can still go wrong. I learned that firsthand on my antelope hunt, which actually makes a decent comparison between the two.
I killed my antelope at 250 yards—after three prior attempts. Damn, they are skittish! I was happy as hell with the result, but the feeling didn’t even come close to what I get from a successful bow kill. I’d like to think it’s because of the added difficulty, but part of me suspects it runs deeper than that.
Maybe it’s primal.
After all, Genesis 27:3 says, “Now then, take your weapons, your quiver and your bow, and go out to the field and hunt wild game for me.” I’m well aware firearms didn’t exist at the time, but honestly, I still think the bow would’ve been the tool of choice.
Can you imagine: “Take your .300 Win Mag and blast wild game for me”?
Maybe. That could resonate.
Let it Fly
I understand some of the hesitation—or outright resistance—to bowhunting. There are a few folks out there who make me hesitant to even admit I hunt at all. No names needed. Everyone knows who they are. The ones who brag about wounding—sorry, killing—animals at ridiculous distances. I know there are circumstances that require taking long shots, but the ones I speak of aren’t them.
Long bow shots are a lot like yoga pants. Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.
Unfortunately, a few bad apples do spoil the bunch, and some manufacturers don’t help, either. They bankroll “influencers” who’ll do just about anything for content.
For the ’gram, man.
And to be clear—I’m not saying bowhunting is better or worse than any other method. I truly believe to each their own. If firearms or crossbows are your thing, have at it. Do what makes you happy and what puts meat in the freezer.
At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what brand of anything you’re using.
What matters is getting out there and enjoying your God-given right to hunt. And if that entails a bow, well then—let it fly.
The post Take Your Weapons, Your Quiver and Your Bow appeared first on Field Ethos.
Continue reading...
