Archery is something that a lot of people feel like that if your dad doesn’t teach you then you can never get into it. It is one of the most intimidating things to get into as an adult. The only other other two I can think of are fly fishing and golf. I guess I chose the hard way because all three of those things I started doing in my adult life. Golf is something I do once every summer and fly fishing can be its’ own blog. So, for the sakes of not making this blog super long, I will only focus on archery. I think the top two things that attracted me to archery were, the fact that is more challenging when it comes to hunting because you have to get so much closer to make an ethical shot on an animal. The second attraction was the old school aspect of it. I mean just think about it, the Native Americans only hunted with a stick bow and an arrow. Thinking about hunting with a bow makes me feel like a way I can live in the old days.
After buying a bow the next step is to practice a lot. I shoot my bow at least three or four days a week and about 50 to 70 arrows every day that I shoot. When I am not shooting I am watching YouTube videos that teach me about the technics of shooting. Just know that if you really want to get into archery all you have to do is just go do it. Don’t be afraid or embarrassed. Like I said, you will know that you are at the right archery shop if the person working there doesn’t make you feel dumb for asking questions. A true professional will be happy that someone new wants to learn what they love and they will be happy to help you. If you have any questions reach out to me on Instagram @HuntingandFishingpodcast.
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Every new hunter feels the same way. Unsure about what is necessary while out hunting and what is not. In this blog I am going to tell you what are the must haves when you are a new hunter. I am making this list assuming that you are hunting with a good mentor. 1.The number one thing that I recommend to have is a good pair of boots. A good pair of boots that you can hike in can be a game changer. A lot of times when you are a new hunter the best thing you can do is hike. When you hike you familiarize yourself with the terrain. When you find animals you start learning what kind of terrain those animals like to live in. But you have to hike to find them. Of course, a lot of times you will find them by using your binoculars, but you have to hike to the right glassing spot to find them. I should clarify what I mean by saying a “good pair of boots.” I don’t mean an expensive pair of boots, but a lot of times the best quality boots are pricey. That does not mean you have to buy the expensive ones though. What I mean by a “good pair of boots” is a pair that you feel comfortable in. You’ll want boots that will not cause blisters or hot spots and that are water proof. And of course, it’s always nice to find something that will not break the bank account. 2.The number two thing that I recommend is a good knife and a sharpening tool. This is me being very optimistic. If you work hard and even have some luck you will get to harvest an animal. The first mistake I made when I went on my very first deer hunt was to not have a good sharp knife. After I took my first deer I couldn’t help my father-in-law very much with taking care of the it because my knife was very dull. The best way to learn how to take a deer apart on the field is by doing it and helping someone who knows what they are doing. I wasn’t able to partake in that much because of my knife. That upcoming Christmas, my father-in-law actually gifted me an awesome knife. That knife has now cut up two elk and a deer. Along with a good knife, you also need a good sharpening tool. If you have the duty of cutting up a big animal even the best knives will go dull at some point. It is so nice to be able to keep them sharp the whole time you are working. 3.The third piece I recommend is a first aid kit. This one is pretty obvious. When you have a good knife accidents can happen, so you have to prepare for them. Also one of the worst things that has happened to me while hunting in the back country is getting the runs. Make sure your first aid kit has something for everything in it. 4.The fourth thing could have been added to number two. It is game bags. My buddy shot a deer with like 30 minutes of day light left. Once we were all done cutting it up it was dark and we had about a mile hike back to the truck. When we were about to load it up unto our packs, my buddy says, “I don’t have any game bags.” Luckily, I had some so we were able to use those to pack out the deer. 5.The fifth “thing” is not actually an object, but it is the most important tool to have. It is a positive attitude. Understanding that you will not learn all there is to learn on your first hunting trip is important. Take it one trip at a time and enjoy every second of it. Remember that the main reason why we hunt is to provide food. Respect the animals and the land. Always strive to be a better hunter and enjoy yourself.
You reach a point in your life when the activities you are used to just don’t seem as interesting anymore. You need a change in your life and sometimes finding that change can be very difficult. When I reached that time in my life, I knew exactly what it was that I wanted to replace my old activities with. Jumping into Something NewI grew up playing sports like soccer, basketball and baseball, never really doing anything that made me feel connected to something bigger. But for some reason spending time outdoors is something that always seemed to catch my attention. So, in 2016, as a newlywed 22 year old I decided to start hunting. I didn’t really know what I was getting myself into. All I knew was that it was something new, something neither I or anyone in my family had ever done. I was a complete newbie at this, I didn’t even know how to start a fire. I think not knowing a lot of those “survival” tings is what intrigued me the most. I wanted to do something where I was for sure starting at zero and hunting and fishing gave me just that. Finding Peace While on the Mountain
There is a whole world of new activities. While hunting and fishing has been my favorite way to connect with nature and learn something new about myself, there are many others ways to learn something new. However, connecting with nature will help teach you about yourself and about the world you live in. One great way to get involved with the outdoors is by having a mentor, someone to teach you all that you need to know and guide you on your way. I want to invite you to reach out to me or someone you know - reach out and learn something new. Check us out on Instagram @huntingandfishingpodcast! Feel free to ask any questions! Also check out the latest podcast on Apple or Spotify.
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AuthorI am a senior at BYU-Idaho studying Communications. ArchivesCategories |