By Rusty Wood

Now this may sound like a hunters nightmare...But how else do you introduce a loved one to the sport you love?

Every bow hunter, or hunter for that matter owes it to our sport, and our For Fathers, to get as much of our family members involved in some section, or at some platue of the sport of hunting to "Carry on the Tradition" so-to-speak.

Proper Planning:
In bowhunting, planning is the biggest part of a successful hunt. You check you equiptment, maps, what hillside you will sit on. You will even plan on the camo you'll wear. So planning to take someone who might not know a thing about hunting at all, will be the biggest job you've have taken on.

The first time my wife, Murry, and I went Bowhunting together, was more than likely the worse trip she ever took with me. If I had gone at it like she was a kid and planned our steps a little better, she might have enjoyed it a little more, and made our trip more enjoyable.

Murry, is a tuff gal. So when I found out she was interested in hunting with a bow as a family, the excitement of possibly filling 2 tags was exciting to say the lest.

Our first task was to find her a bow. But not just any bow will do thought, top of the line, a bow just like mine... Good looking, tough, fast, able to put a pencil diameter size projectile through "5", 1 inch rings and still split the hairs of a flies eye brow at Fifty yards, like Kirk Douglas in Spartcus.

Boy was that testosterone flaring up again or what !!

So now, our son Morgan, has a really nice Bow.

A Lesson Learned:

Wives; when you decided to take the plunge, and if your husband is as much of a low grunting pig as I am, please be kind.

A bow should fit the Bow hunter. Your bow is as individualistic as you are. Husbands take time to understand that if your wife is 5'2", 108 lbs (wet), there is no way she'll pull a 44" axle to axle, recurve limb, radical cam, 62 LB, hyper bow, past the let off point to really enjoy the 80% let off.

There are a lot of bow makers these days to find that perfect fit for your wife, even if she is a lefty.

Take time to show her to shoot, and if the first session doesn't go well, don't give up. Seek help from the Pro shop in your area.

Everyone at your pro shop will bend over backwards to help you. Yes gals, even WOMEN.. You'll be surprised how much they will help. Not because your a good looking gal that all their buddies get to watch, but you are a woman who wants to hunt those cute little deer.

Practice Makes Perfect:

SHOOT, SHOOT, SHOOT .. When my brother and I was younger we not only range shot, but we would play games as well.

We went to 3-D shoots, and just had a good time, not looking to win, just score constantly. In our backyard we would play top the nock, one would shoot an arrow any where on the target, the next person would try to hit the first arrow's nock, if they missed the first shooter, again shoots, trying to hit his partners arrow, without nailing his own arrow.

You'll be shocked at how fast you close down your pattern. Even more so when you find out your brother has been playing this game for 2 hours every day before you get home from work. Thanks Pal !

Practice doesn't stop at the range. You'll need to show what your looking for. It's easier if you start in pre-season, shed hunting is good, as well as a "Romantic Walk " , as I call it . Take her for a walk , showing things like tracks, droppings, and preferred food.

What also I've done is taken my wife on camera hunts as well. This works great as well as a hunt during the off season. You still hunt in full camo clothing, and hunt your regular area. Not only will you learn warm season animals patterns, but you can practice still hunt, spot and stalk, and get some get memories on film.

You can also introduce kids with this plan with out all the "gross me out" commits while your field dressing your quarry. Just one note, make sure you wash little hands and faces, once your back at the car. Anti-Hunters look at this as a form of "Child Abuse".. Believe it.

The main thing is to keep it fun. Field time should be kept short and extended each time you go out. Just as any thing build-up as you go, and go with the flow.

Final Words:

Take your time out in the woods. if your rushed, you might not be relaxed. Hunting is meant to be relaxing, just be one with the woods. Remembering these few items, and use of good old fashion common sense and good hunter ethics, you'll find consistent success..

Good Luck and Straight Arrows

Rusty Wood all rights reserved

rwood@stlnet.com

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