How to get her to try again...

[Joe Archer]

As I mentioned in another thread, my wife only tried hunting once. She sighted deer, but was not able to shoot. Any suggestions as how I might get her to give it another try? <----<<<

[born2hunt65]

Hi Joe, has your wife ever hunted with you before and seen an animal killed? Sometimes it is hard for a person to kill an animal themselves. It's one thing to watch them and quit another to actually shoot the game you are after. I find quit a few ladies have difficulty because they see a cute little deer with big brown eyes. The trick is to get her to see a game animal that she is after not bambi. This may not be her problem tho.
Have you asked her why she is unable to shoot? If she can not express herself to you exactly why maybe it would help if she e-mailed me. I would be glad to discuss her hunting concerns privately and give her a womens perspective on hunting.
I could suggest take her along as much as you can if she is willing to hunt with you and get her used to the idea of hunting. She may get the urge to shoot while with you. Maybe it would help also to have her hunt with someone else to, perhaps she's afraid of missing the shot while you are there. I know my hubby makes me nervouse thats why I'm glad he doesn't feel like he has to hunt with me.
I hope I helped you a little but as I said before if she would like to e-mail me I would be more than happy to discuss hunting with her on a more private note. Born

[Joe Archer]

Born2hunt, thanks for your suggestions. I think you hit the nail on the head about the "cute little bambi". I must admit they are a magnificent animal! If I didnt know the good that hunting does, or if I didnt completely love venison, I dont think I could shoot them either. Anyway, when I did take her hunting (she was pregnant with my oldest son at the time) I left her by herself so there ouldnt be any pressure. Another thing, she does not have any trouble with the animals I take. Also, we do go up north as a family ever year, but my son and I are the only hunters. Maybe if I can get her in the woods tracking my son's first bow harvest? THAT would be fun! Thanks again :) <----<<<

[born2hunt65]

No problem Joe glad I could help. Good luck to you. Born

[JAM]

Joe,

I just read an article in Traditional Bowhunter Magazine called "Shooting in "The Zone", by James A. Swan PH.D. It's about learning to overcome buck fever and other mental aspects of hunting. In his article, he mentions reading a book he wrote called "In Defense of Hunting", which addresses the idea that you should feel no guilt about ethically and legally killing an animal. I ordered the book in hopes of it helping me control my buck fever. Maybe your wife would enjoy it, too.

Jill

[Oct.1]

Joe,
I Give you creadit for taking her.
Try putting a camera in her hands along with a rifle.
Some people just dont want to shoot an anamial with a gun, but if she has a camera she can get involved with the stories you and your friends tell.
Some day she may want to be part of her own story.

[Liv4Huntin']

Joe: There are some great suggestions above....

I had hunted for four years before, one spring, accepting a job working with baby animals ...sheep, goats, llamas, and deer. Raising fawns for six months gave me a new appreciation for deer. I can tell you, I was very concerned that THAT deer season it would be difficult for me to pull the trigger... that it would be hard for me to make the transition from nurturer to predator.

When November 15th came, I hunted, I took a doe, and I field dressed it myself. If, like Born suggested, your wife would like to e-mail me to discuss shooting from a woman's perspective, I would be glad to answer anything I can. ....... Mary

[Joe Archer]

The one thing I have going for me is that she really enjoys venison. In fact, we both prefer it to beef. She is an excellent archer too. What I would really like to find is some kind of "family" archery league for bow hunters. I will see if I can get her to communicate with you ladies with email. I kinda doubt this will happen though, as she doesnt log into her email account with much regularity. <----<<<

[born2hunt65]

Hi there young man, I e-mailed your wife and told her a little about myself. I thought if I started off letting her know a little about me that she'd feel more comfortable writing me. I hope it helps and she writes me back, Born.

[Liv4Huntin']

Joe: I ditto Born's posting. I e-mailed your wife on the 15th (telling her a little about myself and my outdoor experiences) and haven't heard anything back as of yet.

I asked her some questions about archery, so I am hopeful that she will answer...It would be great if she checked out this site and decided to come aboard!!