November 04, 2010
By Mitchell Phillips
This youngster explains how bowhunting has taught him some very important life lessons.
By Mitchell Phillips
Mitchell Phillips and his dad, Lloyd, recently traveled to Saskatchewan where they continued the streak of YHEC success stories, thanks to the bear-hunting gurus at Parkland Muskwa Outfitters (306/248-3596).
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During the four years I have been bowhunting, I have learned many values that relate to life. I had these values before I started hunting, but bowhunting put them to the test and improved them.
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The value I learned to manage the most is patience. Patience is probably the most needed skill in bowhunting, and boy did I learn that my first year. I went into the woods thinking my first deer would be a big buck. I thought that deer would walk right under my stand like on TV. It doesn't work that way. I waited four years before harvesting that big buck.
Another life lesson learned is the value of money and the hard work that goes along with earning it. I wanted a good bow and my parents wouldn't pay for it. I had my eyes on a Hoyt Rintec and had to come up with the $460 myself. I worked hard that summer picking rocks and mowing lawns. Finally, the bow was mine. Since I paid for it, I respected it and took good care of it. I think differently about money now. I could buy 11 candy bars or another doe tag. Which would you buy?
Responsibility is next. If my grades are not good, I can't go hunting. I have learned to be responsible with my schoolwork and chores at home. Not being able to go hunting one weekend taught me that lesson.
The last thing that bowhunting has taught me is to love life and respect Mother Nature.
What could be better than sitting in your stand on an October morning, listening to the birds and squirrels, with a deer walking around behind your stand? Bowhunting has taught me it's not all about the kill; it's about being out there.
