Bow hunters the few, the proud, the first to hunt

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Reservoir Blogs - George Thwaites blogs about fishing, hunting, conservation and outdoors

Bow hunters the few, the proud, the first to hunt

Published Saturday, August 29 2009 - (0) Comments

The first segment of the deer archery season opens in Tennessee on Sept. 26. It's a month away, but it'll be here before you know it.

No self-aggrandizing here. I probably won't be archery hunting this year, although I admit I'm envious of those who will be. It usually amazes me that archery hunting isn't more popular than it is. But then, it's like a lot of challenging sports. There is a winnowing effect.

By and large, archery hunters are a different breed of cat. Not to denigrate other general season deer hunters-- even crossbow hunters – here are some basic observations I've made over the years with regard to what sets bowhunting apart.

--Bowhunting is the most athletic form of deer hunting. Sure, all deer hunting is more athletic than non-hunters realize. But you do not have to train your muscles to shoot a rifle to the same degree you have to condition yourself to shoot a bow consistently. Shooting a bow is work.

--Because of the above, bowhunting requires more dedicated target practice in advance of the season and, preferably, year-round.

--Bowhunting requires more preseason engagement. The margin for error is much smaller than with firearms. Shooting lanes must be well thought out, and judiciously pruned. Scouting and hunting site preparation can be downright obsessive.

--Given the close ranges at which deer must be shot, successful archery hunters tend to be better at concealment, scent and noise discipline than average hunters.

--Bowhunters tend to study deer anatomy more closely than average deer hunters because arrow placement is less forgiving than bullet placement.

--Bowhunters tend to be more patient than average hunters and tend to spend more hours in the stand during a given hunting year.

--Bowhunters tend to spend more time observing deer behavior than average hunters.

--Bowhunters can be a little more eccentric than average hunters. They aren't always like Patrick Swayze's family in "Next of Kin" or even like Burt Reynolds in "Deliverance." But I've certainly met some characters.

So, am I giving bowhunters too much credit, or not nearly enough? What would you add to the list?

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