So my 12 year old son has set out on the journey to become a bowhunter. He has worked his tail off and putting in some quality practice time in the back yard gearing up for this season. Last we checked he was up to 44# draw weight. We have had numerous discussions about bowhunting and what to do and when to do along the way. Even though there is no practice & discussions that can replace live hunting situations!
Let me say, and I'm sure MANY here can agree.......bowhunting in general is hard, but kids bowhunting is TOUGH!! tough physically and emotionally!!
He found out this weekend just how hard it can be!
It was the first time he drew on an animal. A big nice East Texas pineywoods rooter. It took a few minutes for him to circle around and come to corn for what was setting up to be a 22 yard shot. I was afraid about him not being able to get the bow drawn due to fever and we have talked about that. Adrenaline must have been flowing so good when he pulled that sucker back I thought he was going to pull the string right off the bow!! I bet he could have pulled 60# at that moment! lol
He anchored and settled in and released!! I watched the lighted nock the whole way as it buried into the pig about 15 inches from where it needed to be!!! Yardage was spot on!! Just way back. I knew right then.....Gut Shot!! I saw the arrow kick up in the air about 25 yards into his retreat. As I looked back at my son, he had his release hand on top of his head with the most disgusted look on his face shaking his head...He Knew! Then the emotions were set free!!
After him being quiet for about 15 minutes on the way home, I decided to break the silence. We talked about how good it was to be out hunting on the opening day of deer season. Talked about how many of his school buddies are at home waiting on gun season. And then we talked about what happened. Only thing I could offer up was the fact that things are going to happen and we must learn from them. No different than making a mistake at school or home. He made a bad shot....no use in dwelling on that. I even told him of the misses and lost deer I've suffered through.
I left him with 3 things that hopefully stick with him...
1- Get Ready during the animals approach - be patient and control your breathing..this will be important when it comes time to make the shot. it will help steady your shot.
2- Focus on the shot - don't worry about what type of animal or the headwear!! Pick out the spot you want to shoot and settle the pin on that mark. He said he was shaking so bad!
3- Observe the shot placement and animals retreat path - I explained to him we cant let our emotions take over and block the importance of watching where the arrow hit, the animals reaction and the path it took!! all those things will be important during the recovery.
Although we didn't recover, this was a great learning experience for him and myself! There will be other shots!! He knows that. I told him that he will constantly be learning something about hunting every time he goes out with that bow in hand.
So if you got any other "helpful hints" or similar stories, post em up...I'm sure my tater tot would love to read em. He is a over-the-shoulder TBH reader!!
Let me say, and I'm sure MANY here can agree.......bowhunting in general is hard, but kids bowhunting is TOUGH!! tough physically and emotionally!!
He found out this weekend just how hard it can be!
It was the first time he drew on an animal. A big nice East Texas pineywoods rooter. It took a few minutes for him to circle around and come to corn for what was setting up to be a 22 yard shot. I was afraid about him not being able to get the bow drawn due to fever and we have talked about that. Adrenaline must have been flowing so good when he pulled that sucker back I thought he was going to pull the string right off the bow!! I bet he could have pulled 60# at that moment! lol
He anchored and settled in and released!! I watched the lighted nock the whole way as it buried into the pig about 15 inches from where it needed to be!!! Yardage was spot on!! Just way back. I knew right then.....Gut Shot!! I saw the arrow kick up in the air about 25 yards into his retreat. As I looked back at my son, he had his release hand on top of his head with the most disgusted look on his face shaking his head...He Knew! Then the emotions were set free!!
After him being quiet for about 15 minutes on the way home, I decided to break the silence. We talked about how good it was to be out hunting on the opening day of deer season. Talked about how many of his school buddies are at home waiting on gun season. And then we talked about what happened. Only thing I could offer up was the fact that things are going to happen and we must learn from them. No different than making a mistake at school or home. He made a bad shot....no use in dwelling on that. I even told him of the misses and lost deer I've suffered through.
I left him with 3 things that hopefully stick with him...
1- Get Ready during the animals approach - be patient and control your breathing..this will be important when it comes time to make the shot. it will help steady your shot.
2- Focus on the shot - don't worry about what type of animal or the headwear!! Pick out the spot you want to shoot and settle the pin on that mark. He said he was shaking so bad!
3- Observe the shot placement and animals retreat path - I explained to him we cant let our emotions take over and block the importance of watching where the arrow hit, the animals reaction and the path it took!! all those things will be important during the recovery.
Although we didn't recover, this was a great learning experience for him and myself! There will be other shots!! He knows that. I told him that he will constantly be learning something about hunting every time he goes out with that bow in hand.
So if you got any other "helpful hints" or similar stories, post em up...I'm sure my tater tot would love to read em. He is a over-the-shoulder TBH reader!!
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