Luke
11-08-07, 10:14 AM
When people first learn that I am a bowhunter, I am often asked, why? Why do I choose to hunt, and more specifically, why do I choose to hunt with a bow? I have been bowhunting for about six years now and have been asked this question many times. To this day, it is still one I struggle to pin down an answer for. I try to explain to the person of all the intricacies and details of bowhunting; yet inevitably I always seem to offer them little more explanation than "you'll never understand if you never try it". Conversations such as these are not the only times I find myself pondering this question. Just recently on a weekend's hunt, I found myself soaked to the bone from the endless drizzle of rain, freezing cold from the icy New South Wales winter winds and sore from having smashed my knee on a very unforgiving piece of granite belt rock the day before whilst stalking a mob of goats. To say I was asking myself why I bowhunt would be obvious...again however I was alluded by a one sentence answer. The best I could come up with is - the richness of the experience...
The richness of the experience. What do those five words summate when it comes to bowhunting? For me, as a teacher of both high school and primary aged students I have often been challenged to develop full and well balanced learning experiences in my classroom. I have also participated in a vast number of hobbies and past times over the years. In all these situations and environments I am still yet to come across a hobby, sport, activity or past time that has as much to offer as bowhunting.
Let's stop for a second to contemplate how many elements bowhunting is comprised of. If we begin with the obvious we have the skills of archery. These include, shooting your bow, making your arrows, tuning your bow and holding your form. Additional elements to these things such as understanding about arrow spine, draw weights of bows and how to sharpen a broad head as well as many others.
Next we can move to a basic understanding of the game we hunt. We have things like the anatomy of our quarry which dictates to us where we place our shot, feeding habits, mating seasons, watering patterns, the foot/hoof prints they have, calls and noises made by the animal, the habitats they inhabit and the times of day we're likely to see them; just to mention a few. If we count the dozen or so huntable species that exist within Australia, this leaves us with a lot of homework to do to fully understand the animals we hunt.
Next we can move onto bush craft. Knowing how to read the signs of the land to help you locate your intended game. Being able to identify the types of vegetation our quarry prefers to feed on. Elements of basic bush navigation. Weather patterns and wind movements. Tracking and trailing our game. Identifying bedding areas, watering locations, feeding areas and movement trails. Knowing the difference between the various types of sign that animals create (pig rippings and deer scrapes for example) as well as their scats and stools so as not to confuse them with native animals.
We may also look at camping and 4 wheel driving - elements that are quite often a necessity to be able to venture into that rugged back country where the good game can be found. Components such as camp fire cooking, navigation using GPS, map and compass and having a handle on some simple mechanics in the event of a break down in remote areas. Knowing how to use your 4 wheel drive to its best ability to help you get safely to and from your destination is also a skill tantamount to most hunts. Being able to erect a tent and tarp to keep the rain off our heads, knowing how to make a safe and controllable camp fire, understanding sensible and conservative water use when supplies are limited; all skills and knowledge important for a safe and successful trip.
As we can see, in the previous four or so paragraphs I have very briefly listed a host of components of bowhunting that contribute to the experience's ability to capture the bowhunter, yet I have really only scratched the surface. How many bowhunters do we know who love photography? How many of these hunters have developed this love out of the passion to be able to take good photos of their hunting trips? What about video? I know many a hunter who has purchased a camera for no other reason but to capture moments of thrill, excitement and exhilaration on camera; to preserve those moments forever and to be able to share them with others.
We could also focus on knowing ourselves and our personal limits. Factors such as de- and rehydration, fatigue, nutrient and energy replenishment also contribute heavily towards a successful outing. It is with not-so-fond memories I can recall a case of heat stroke on a new year’s hunt with good mate Adam Greentree that inspired me to write an article for BHDU Magazine on hyponatremia (a condition brought on by an imbalance in the body’s electrolyte/water ratios). Bush hygiene and first aid are two subjects not to be taken lightly given the stakes at risk.
All of these elements contribute most meaningfully towards enhancing the experience of bowhunting and most of them are things that can be learnt from reading, watching others or listening to an experienced hunter around the camp fire. Some, however, cannot be explained or put into words. The feeling of taking your first game, a combination of thrill, excitement, adrenaline and accomplishment along with perhaps remorse, regret, sorrow and repulsion. The bonding and mateship that occurs from sharing an arduous day’s hunt in appalling conditions, a grueling hike home after dark on a luckless day or a near death incident alongside a hunting mate. The excitement of packing and preparing for a hunt and gearing up on that first morning, not knowing what lies in the days ahead. Sitting around a campfire reminiscing over successful stalks, others that you blew and those you never got to make on that massive trophy animal. Returning to camp to handshakes and slaps on the back after achieving a personal best or the feeling you get when you see that arrow land perfectly after making a shot from a very difficult position or against the elements. Taking your son or daughter on their first ever bowhunt and seeing the look on their faces at sighting their first game animal - these are by far among the richest of elements that comprise that which is bowhunting.
So, as you can see it is for good reason I struggle to explain to non-hunters what it is that draws me time and time again to the Australian bush in pursuit of the feral animals and introduced species that inhabit our lands. Perhaps I have narrowed it down? Perhaps I’ve just confused myself even further. One thing I do know is that each and every time I “go bush” I learn something new, be it from the environment surrounding me, the animals I’m hunting or the mates I’m with. I also know that the day I stop learning will be the day I give my journey of bowhunting away. I pray that day never comes…I think I’m safe.
Good hunting and good mateship,
Luke A Griffin
The richness of the experience. What do those five words summate when it comes to bowhunting? For me, as a teacher of both high school and primary aged students I have often been challenged to develop full and well balanced learning experiences in my classroom. I have also participated in a vast number of hobbies and past times over the years. In all these situations and environments I am still yet to come across a hobby, sport, activity or past time that has as much to offer as bowhunting.
Let's stop for a second to contemplate how many elements bowhunting is comprised of. If we begin with the obvious we have the skills of archery. These include, shooting your bow, making your arrows, tuning your bow and holding your form. Additional elements to these things such as understanding about arrow spine, draw weights of bows and how to sharpen a broad head as well as many others.
Next we can move to a basic understanding of the game we hunt. We have things like the anatomy of our quarry which dictates to us where we place our shot, feeding habits, mating seasons, watering patterns, the foot/hoof prints they have, calls and noises made by the animal, the habitats they inhabit and the times of day we're likely to see them; just to mention a few. If we count the dozen or so huntable species that exist within Australia, this leaves us with a lot of homework to do to fully understand the animals we hunt.
Next we can move onto bush craft. Knowing how to read the signs of the land to help you locate your intended game. Being able to identify the types of vegetation our quarry prefers to feed on. Elements of basic bush navigation. Weather patterns and wind movements. Tracking and trailing our game. Identifying bedding areas, watering locations, feeding areas and movement trails. Knowing the difference between the various types of sign that animals create (pig rippings and deer scrapes for example) as well as their scats and stools so as not to confuse them with native animals.
We may also look at camping and 4 wheel driving - elements that are quite often a necessity to be able to venture into that rugged back country where the good game can be found. Components such as camp fire cooking, navigation using GPS, map and compass and having a handle on some simple mechanics in the event of a break down in remote areas. Knowing how to use your 4 wheel drive to its best ability to help you get safely to and from your destination is also a skill tantamount to most hunts. Being able to erect a tent and tarp to keep the rain off our heads, knowing how to make a safe and controllable camp fire, understanding sensible and conservative water use when supplies are limited; all skills and knowledge important for a safe and successful trip.
As we can see, in the previous four or so paragraphs I have very briefly listed a host of components of bowhunting that contribute to the experience's ability to capture the bowhunter, yet I have really only scratched the surface. How many bowhunters do we know who love photography? How many of these hunters have developed this love out of the passion to be able to take good photos of their hunting trips? What about video? I know many a hunter who has purchased a camera for no other reason but to capture moments of thrill, excitement and exhilaration on camera; to preserve those moments forever and to be able to share them with others.
We could also focus on knowing ourselves and our personal limits. Factors such as de- and rehydration, fatigue, nutrient and energy replenishment also contribute heavily towards a successful outing. It is with not-so-fond memories I can recall a case of heat stroke on a new year’s hunt with good mate Adam Greentree that inspired me to write an article for BHDU Magazine on hyponatremia (a condition brought on by an imbalance in the body’s electrolyte/water ratios). Bush hygiene and first aid are two subjects not to be taken lightly given the stakes at risk.
All of these elements contribute most meaningfully towards enhancing the experience of bowhunting and most of them are things that can be learnt from reading, watching others or listening to an experienced hunter around the camp fire. Some, however, cannot be explained or put into words. The feeling of taking your first game, a combination of thrill, excitement, adrenaline and accomplishment along with perhaps remorse, regret, sorrow and repulsion. The bonding and mateship that occurs from sharing an arduous day’s hunt in appalling conditions, a grueling hike home after dark on a luckless day or a near death incident alongside a hunting mate. The excitement of packing and preparing for a hunt and gearing up on that first morning, not knowing what lies in the days ahead. Sitting around a campfire reminiscing over successful stalks, others that you blew and those you never got to make on that massive trophy animal. Returning to camp to handshakes and slaps on the back after achieving a personal best or the feeling you get when you see that arrow land perfectly after making a shot from a very difficult position or against the elements. Taking your son or daughter on their first ever bowhunt and seeing the look on their faces at sighting their first game animal - these are by far among the richest of elements that comprise that which is bowhunting.
So, as you can see it is for good reason I struggle to explain to non-hunters what it is that draws me time and time again to the Australian bush in pursuit of the feral animals and introduced species that inhabit our lands. Perhaps I have narrowed it down? Perhaps I’ve just confused myself even further. One thing I do know is that each and every time I “go bush” I learn something new, be it from the environment surrounding me, the animals I’m hunting or the mates I’m with. I also know that the day I stop learning will be the day I give my journey of bowhunting away. I pray that day never comes…I think I’m safe.
Good hunting and good mateship,
Luke A Griffin