Video: Why Bowhunt

Haley tracks a buck through the woods. We hear a faraway voice.

Rob

Haley. Haley. Haley. Haley. Haley. Haley.

He taps Haley on the shoulder and startles her awake.

Rob

Dreaming again?

Haley

Yeah. It was a good one.

Rob

Look who’s here.

Haley looks to the person behind the camera.

Haley

Oh, hey. So glad you could join us. So you want to get into bowhunting, right?

Rob

Oh, so you’re just getting started. Well, that means there’s still a few tricks you can learn.

Haley

No problem. We’ll give you a hand. We’re just out practicing. Come on. Check it out.

Rob

So think about it. Why do you want to get into archery and bowhunting? I mean, if you’re like most people, it’s probably the excitement. The formula’s pretty simple. With bowhunting, you need to get close to big game. I mean, really close. And the closer you get, the more exciting it gets. That’s part of what it’s about, but there’s more to it than the excitement. Because bowhunting requires us to get so much closer to wildlife, it actually creates a much closer connection to and understanding of both the wildlife and their habitat. And that builds a closer bond and appreciation between people and the natural environment. It gets us outside during beautiful times of year and away from the stresses of modern life. Bowhunting offers lifelong adventure in learning. Even this simple deer trail leads us into learning about tracking, scouting, interpreting wildlife signs and patterns, and honing all kinds of outdoor skills. So in the end, those challenges help us change by learning and mastering new things. That’s all pretty gratifying.

The person behind the camera reaches out to touch an arrow.

Haley

Oh, you like the gear, too? Who doesn’t?

Rob

Yeah, there’s so many different types of arrows and bows. I myself prefer the ones that remind me of the history of archery. You know, and with today’s modern bows, almost anyone can get into it. Here. Check this one out.

The person behind the camera takes a bow from Rob.

Haley

Uh-oh. Could be love.

Rob

For many people, it’s a stepping-stone thing. They try it when they’re young, maybe in Scouts or the National Archery in the Schools Program. And before you know it, they’re practicing in archery shops, ranges, and outdoor places to safely shoot arrows. Then when season rolls around, they may take their first hunt. It’s a great natural progression. And let’s not forget about all the archery movie heroes out there. I mean, they help inspire, too.

A thought bubble above Rob’s head shows an archer in a feathered cap shooting an apple. Haley walks up and points to the thought bubble.

Haley

So this is what goes on in your imagination, huh? I approve.

Rob

And let’s not forget about the bonding and social benefits that go hand in hand with archery and bowhunting.

Haley

This is a great way to spend the day with family and friends.

Rob

Now, it’s important that we enjoy the hunt, but there’s another set of reasons why we bowhunt. You might not know it, but bowhunters like us help raise funds for wildlife management nationally. Not only that, but we can fill a void that hunters with firearms can’t very easily, such as safely managing deer in urban areas. Now, if we were fortunate enough to get a turkey, deer, or other wild game, then we are being self-sufficient by getting our food from the wild. It’s a sustainable lifestyle, so to speak.

Haley

Right. There are a lot of reasons we choose this. All right. We’ve got a few more targets to go.