I’m not much for motivational speaking (or in this case writing), especially since I can barely motivate myself to do much of anything. So when I first started writing for Women Hunters I set a few hunting-type goals and I strived to meet those goals. Last deer season I successfully took my first doe and buck with a rifle. As you may recall, I also had mentioned in my first writer profile that I had a desire to get into archery. This summer I was able to also check that off on my list with my purchase of a new Matthews Ignition bow. To top it off, I got custom arrows with white and pink vanes. What woman can resist a slightly feminine touch to her hunting accessories?
While we all might like to set hunting goals, it seems as though there are a few than might never be attained. Take for instance my now 2 season super- simple-duck-hunting goal: shoot a drake Bufflehead. Sounds easy, right? It is proving to be even harder than I thought it would be by a long shot! And it seems as if this one particular “simple” goal might beat me. Last season a hunting buddy of mine, Adam Schmid, even took me on a special diver duck hunt on a pond he’d scouted for diving ducks. (Buffleheads are classified as diving ducks). He said he’d seen a ton of buffleheads. We got out early in the morning and set up. Sure enough a few Teal flew in and were brought down. A Gadwall or two also brought down. The Buffleheads came in and I missed every single one! I couldn’t believe it. That was last season. This season I’ve become so obsessed with shooting a drake Bufflehead that I nearly ordered a dozen Bufflehead decoys. (Something totally not necessary.) I think that by setting simple and difficult hunting goals we continue to drive ourselves forward- learning more about the animal we wish to harvest, or more about the tools we would like to master and practice for that shot that makes it all worth it. No matter how small the goal, it is important to strive for something. I think that when I finally get a Bufflehead (if I ever do) the feeling of pride in meeting a difficult goal will make the wait worthwhile. Who knows, I might get that Bufflehead tomorrow, or I could be an old lady in a wheelchair, still aiming for that ellusive duck! Best wishes to you and yours this hunting season, and may all of your hunting goals and dreams come true. Happy Hunting!
