It has been about ten years since I last ventured out with a bow for the opening day of deer season. Before that I have only been deer hunting twice before, in my late teens. But this year, I felt called back to the woods. There is something ancient, almost primordial, about the hunt. It is pulls out and tests one’s patience, observation, focus, skill, stamina, and commitment. Skills that are needed and should be honed regularly. Since it has been a decade, mine definitely needed honed.
To me, it is not about taking an animal. It is a journey of self-discovery and an opportunity to truly find your place in the cycle of nature. Respect of the animal, it’s intrinsic value, and ultimately, it’s sacrifice should be central to the whole process. Harvesting a deer, cleaning and butchering is a direct relationship with the food you will consume. This is what has drawn me to hunting.
In a world that moves so fast, archery hunting provides an escape into one of the most real and traditional forms of hunting. This is good for my soul.
A Return to Tradition
Archery hunting feels like stepping back in time. It clears all of the distractions. There’s no technology mediating the experience, just you, your bow, and nature. It’s primal, almost instinctual, and I’ve come to believe that it’s one of the most real forms of hunting still practiced today. Using a bow requires patience, precision, and connection to the environment. In those moments, I’m not just another hunter in the woods; I’m a participant in an age-old ritual that has provided sustenance and connection for countless generations before me.
More Than Skills: A Spiritual Practice
What struck me most on this hunt wasn’t just the challenge and excitement, it was how I approached it year. I set an intention for my hunt. That intention was “To be a useful part of nature, to learn from the process, and if the opportunity presented itself, that I would make a clean shot with the right deer. The kill was the last thing, it was the process and integrity of the hunt. Archery hunting feels like a spiritual practice, a way to connect with nature and the ancient rhythms of life. There’s a reverence for the hunt, and this process of sitting in silence, observing, and becoming one with the woods feels meditative.
Finding Silence in a Restorative Space
One of the most powerful aspects of being in the woods is the quiet. In our everyday lives, silence is rare, but out there, in the stillness of the forest, it’s abundant. That silence offers a restorative quality unlike anything else. Sitting quietly in my stand, I found myself drawn into a reflective, almost meditative state. It’s not just about waiting for a deer to appear—it’s about being fully present in the moment, feeling the pulse of the natural world around you. It’s healing, rejuvenating, and deeply restorative in a way that few modern activities can provide.
One of the key takeaways from my return to hunting this year is patience. In the woods, time moves differently. You’re not rushing to meet deadlines or watching the clock tick by. You’re fully present, waiting in the moment, and learning to observe the world around you. Every rustle of the leaves, every bird call, every shift in the wind teaches you something about your environment. These lessons of patience and presence are ones I’ll carry with me long after the season ends.
The Hunt is about the Process
This season, I didn’t harvest a deer. But I didn’t leave the woods empty-handed. I’ve never approached hunting with a trophy mentality. It’s not about bagging rights, and it’s certainly not about how many deer you bring home. I did get to witness two beautiful young does walking through the fields. Seeing them move effortlessly and without a sound was special.
During a period of sitting silently, there was a squirrel that almost crawled on me, as it didn’t notice me sitting by the tree it was climbing. I heard coyotes before dawn. Several pairs of owls finding each other in their mating season. Tons of squirrels and doves, which were in season. Even walking through the bush, I was able to get within 10 feet of a rabbit. That was an accomplishment and showed that I was learning to move in silence.
These were the “trophies” I took home. and they were worth it. There’s a deep sense of gratitude that emerges from simply being in the woods and participating in the hunt, regardless of the outcome.
The Camaraderie of the Hunt
Finally, while archery hunting might seem like a solitary pursuit, the camaraderie it fosters is unparalleled. I am lucky to have a friend that owns land, is a good hunter, has a deep spiritual connection and is open to share it with me. The shared experience of preparing, sitting in silence, and then reflecting on the day’s events with fellow hunters builds deep bonds. Hunting isn’t just about the individual—it’s about the relationships that form around it. We talked deep in to the night about our beliefs, our dreams, hopes, struggles and also the plan of hunting. These conversations are what fill up the energetic gas tank and stroke our fires. This was needed as much as the stillness in the woods. I am extremely grateful for our connection.
Though I didn’t come home with a deer on this opening day, I walked away with something much more valuable—renewed patience, a deeper connection to nature, and a reminder of the traditions that keep us grounded. The hunt is always about more than the harvest, and this year was a powerful reminder of that.
