When it comes to archery and the sport of bow hunting, the adage about something difficult being but well worth it can be a little doubtful. You have come to expect certain discomforts in many sports and activities. A mild case of frostbite while snow skiing, blisters when hiking or running and even sunburn from the beach. You will have to weigh the pros and cons in order to decide for yourself.

Most hunters start hunting with guns, until someone comes along and talks them into trying bow hunting. Many times deer season starts earlier than the more traditional hunting method using guns. That in itself is a big motivation for many hunters, as they will get more hunting time! Another advantage is that it is usually legal to take a doe during archery season. What hunter would not like getting to hunt the woods earlier and possibly take a trophy whitetail deer. They look at it as more time in the woods, more chances to get a deer. Simple really. Or is it?

In many locations, the start of bow hunting season for archery enthusiasts, is in September. This can be considered the equivalent of the dictionary’s meaning of masochism. You sit in 90-degree heat, sweating due to the 90% humidity in the air. This is also usually the rainy season so, add a swarm of mosquitoes into the mix and you are good to go.

Another important consideration is to make sure your gear is in tip top condition and make sure everything is as it should be. With bows, you need to check the string for wear and wax it while checking your nock points, etc. Be sure to lube all moving parts, dry graphite lube works well for lubricating moving sights. If you use a bow quiver be sure to check its mount, making sure it is tight and won’t vibrate or hum, when you shoot.

As an archery or bow hunter, what are you going to say the next time someone asks you if all of this preparation and pain is really worth the effort? Unless you want them questioning your sanity it would probably be a good thing to answer in the affirmative. No one has to know that the main reason you are saying yes is that you just finished sitting in the freezing rain, fighting frostbite and can’t wait for the sweaty bow-hunting season to start once again.