Written by: Chris Wheeler Sr.
When I picked up a bow and arrow 33 years ago, I never dreamed what would become of a hobby/obsession. Daryel, (girlfriend/wife to be’s dad), had a bow on the wall and I noticed and asked how hard is it? My mom wouldn’t let me own a gun (those of you that know me and my arsenal, know how funny that sounds today). I thought to myself a bow ain’t a gun.
Chandra’s (my wife) Uncle Steve ended up giving me an old Bear Polar Bear. lt was a plastic-coated cable compound with two arrows. I have it hanging in my man cave/hunting room still today. Daryel gave me some tips and I shot those two arrows over and over and over. I was a broke poor college boy and one day a Gander Mountain magazine showed up at Chandra’s house and it had a Martin Lynx compound bow on the back cover. Set up ready to go for $99!! I scrounged up $100 and ordered it and scrounged up a little more and bought 6 arrows. I shot every day. 5yards, 10,20,30, 40.
I got pretty good that summer and bow season approached, and I was ready. I had been wanting to hunt since I could talk about it with my papaw and uncles, but mom wasn’t having it. She didn’t grow up around guns and they scared her to death. I understand now, but we had some doozy arguments when I was younger.
I scouted and picked a spot on the edge of a bean field with a little pond in the corner. Food and water and deer there every day. First deer I ever got close to was across the pond at 20 yards. I shot 3 times and missed all 3 times. I finally laughed out loud and shewed her away because I didn’t deserve her. I was so excited and nervous, I couldn’t focus.
Few weeks later a little 4 pt walks in and I hit it. Found it the next morning and I was on Cloud 9. I showed everybody that buck!!! Chandra soon realized life was going to be planned around fall/winter hunting season. I would sometimes hunt 5/6 days a week after work till dark. Sunday hunting was illegal back then or it would have been 7 days a week!! I succeeded, I failed, and I learned a lot.
Soon, I started shooting deer with ease. Adding big bucks and mounts to the wall. Our freezer always had deer meat in it. When Jr was born, I was determined to teach him everything and give him wisdom, guidance, and the tools to pursue hunting if he wished. Went rabbit hunting at 2, killed his first squirrel at 4 (it’s on the wall) and killed his first deer with a crossbow at 5!!! First buck at 6 and yes, it’s on the wall.
I was successful pretty quick with him. Then I got my papaw, after he retired into bow hunting, and he killed a few deer hunting with me. Then my Uncle Tom got interest and uncle Tim soon followed. Jr switched to a compound bow as soon as he was sufficient with it and first hunt ever with a compound killed a doe. Since then, he has taken to it as second nature and really has surpassed me in his hunting life. Most grown men don’t know what he knows about hunting or are as successful as he is. Now Rhett man is up next. He’s ate up with it at two!! He can watch duck hunting with Jr like a normal kid watch cartoons. You ask him what to do with, name any critter, and he says boom. He sees a squirrel out the window and loses it and if me or Jr shoot one, he’s all fired up.
I’ve got countless memories and great times because of bow hunting. God willing I’ll have countless more and 3 generations will be flinging arrows together!! Over the years it’s gone from being obsessed with the kill to just enjoying the moments that lead up to it. Racing Rhett across that picked bean field with a flashlight shining on that buck is one of the best memories to date. I don’t care if you hunt, shoot pool, go boating or whatever. Find something you love and can pass it on and enjoy it with the next generations together. It will fill your heart!!!!
Once Sunday hunting was allowed, Jr and I skipped Sunday mornings to go to church and hunted the evenings. Unless it was mid-November and the bucks were moving. Then we got 20’ up in a tree closer to God!! Don’t pass on Jesus & bow hunting and your life will be blessed. It’s worked for me!!
I hope Rhett reads this someday and says “thanks Pap!!! I’m sure enjoying it now” and I say “thanks Jr, Thanks Rhett!!!!!” To Chan and Aub, I’m sorry, not sorry. They both know it’s our passion. Oh, and guess who’s getting into hunting more? Matt!! (my new son in law) Sorry not sorry Abbie!!!! I live by the motto…… Live to hunt…. Hunt to live!!!! One thing for sure, none of us will ever go hungry or have empty freezers!!!!!!!!!!
Happy Hunting and pass it on!!!!!
