Eddie and Peggie Claypool enjoy a moment of marital bliss alongside the bruiser buck Peggie arrowed during a November 2007 hunt in Kansas. Despite the trials and tribulations they experience along the way, sharing success in the field is a major reward for this bowhunting couple.

When Peggie and I married a little over six years ago, little did I know I was about to gain a new bowhunting partner. Having always fancied myself a fiercely independent, hardcore and effective outdoorsman, I had no idea what kinds of changes were about to take place in "my" time afield. In theory, having a wife as a bowhunting partner struck me as a good idea -- there were a lot of fringe benefits! But when it came time to put this idea into practice, I came up against one of the greatest challenges I've tackled in all my years afield.

The first few years Peg and I spent hunting together were very bittersweet times for both of us. We experienced the highest of highs and lowest of lows, both fun and frustration.

From my point of view, you had "Captain Claypool" to the rescue -- nothing like a man with a mission (ladies, do you detect a hint of danger?). The way I saw it, this was my chance to rescue this poor, hapless bowhunter who didn't have a clue what "real" bowhunting was all about. In my mind, she needed to be shown how to be serious, focused and effective. Oh yes, I was just the guy to git 'r done!

Meanwhile, Peggie had her own ideas about bowhunting and the whole outdoor experience. To her, it was all about fun and enjoyment. The problem was, her idea of fun and enjoyment didn't exactly match up with mine -- actually, not even close. At first, this led to some real head butting between us, but slowly, over time, we both moved toward common ground. It hasn't been a cakewalk, but I don't think either of us first-class hardheads would have had it any other way.

One of Eddie Claypool's funniest memories of hunting with his wife Peggie is the time she emptied an entire quiver full of arrows while trying -- unsuccessfully -- to hit a large buck that was chasing a doe below the stands she and Eddie were in. Unfortunately, Eddie said, Peggie didn't find much humor in it at the time.

Please allow me to share some of the trials and tribulations involved in the making of a bowhunting team that will hopefully endure for a long and certainly hilarious lifetime.

Believe me, bowhunting with "Blondie" has given me a whole new appreciation for the old saying, "never a dull moment."

When I slipped that ring on Peggie's finger, I inherited a couple of rings of my own -- a gold ring and a circus ring! My little Blondie is a show worth attending. Whether to an audience or solo, Peg is a real comedy show and a tough act to follow. Although she made me promise not to reveal some of her most embarrassing moments afield, believe me when I say there's still plenty of great material even if I leave the worst ones out.

The Painful Break-In Period
I looked like Fred Sanford in camouflage -- loaded to the hilt with junk, moving slowly along. As I trudged through the woods with Peg strolling merrily beside me, I couldn't help but wonder at my predicament. It was the peak of the whitetail rut, I still had a buck tag in my pocket, and here I was...guiding a dame! The pack on my back was stuffed to capacity with a few necessities for the hunt, along with a whole lot more crap my new bride wanted to bring. A treestand was strapped to my backpack, another treestand rode in my left hand and my bow swung in my right hand. Carrying nothing but her bow, Blondie bounced gleefully along, excited about her carefree day afield.