By: Derek Hertwell

One thing that the Army taught me was learning through repetition. I am sure that the public school system uses this technique as well but I think I was asleep for most of that. I wanted to share a tip I learned all to well last night about archery hunting White-tailed deer. Most people will tell you that practice makes perfect so practice I did. I started early before season shooting my bow almost every night. I tried new techniques I had gleaned from countless magazine articles and videos. My confidence was building. But my slumber was plagued with a reoccurring nightmare from events almost a year old. Why had my arrow hit that deer so high? So in the pursuit of a better nights sleep I took to the practice yard in full battle rattle using the exact tools I would hopefully be employing later in the year to simulate real world conditions. Another training nugget used all to frequently in the military. And lo and behold the problem was exposed! While both practice tips and broad heads resulted in a perfect vertical group the latter proved to fly about ten yards farther. Thus resulting in seemingly simple solution. My weapon of death dealing is set from the top down as follows; yellow, red, yellow and red.

Approximately 1845 hours on the 22^nd day of October I found myself perched high in the trees. Not so much expecting to test my training as to gather Intel I could use in the coming month. The wind was right, there was a front moving in, and it beats working. So to say the least I was surprised to see what can only be described as a ginourmus buck step from the dark cover of the forest and start down a path that would inevitable lead him down the cold road of death and then to the check station. I checked the yardage, 31 exactly. A chip shot for someone with my skills. I crouched, drew my weapon and waited. Just one more step. There perfect! Now! I loosed the arrow with all my strength and composure and watched in horror as if flew graciously about 1/8 of an inch over the creatures back. Are you kidding me! There was nothing to do but observe through my vision enhancing devise the monster as he so smugly leapt through the dead and drying field and right out of my life.

Now that the moment has past and the new nightmare takes it’s place in my tormented slumber the answer is exposed. Although repetitious training has been proven time and again it takes only a tiny dose of buck fever to make you forget that your 30 yard yellow pin is for field points, with broad heads you end up with 40!

Sorry about me taking the long way around I just wanted to make a sad story funny! I missed a giant last night! Oh well, maybe I will get another shot in November. I am looking at the bright side at least I didn’t wound this one! Hope everybody is well.