For a longtime now, I've been blessed to be able to spend a tremendous amount of time bowhunting each year. From August through January of each year, I spend most of my time trekking over hill and dale somewhere on one of my do-it-yourself adventures. Even when all the bow seasons are over, you'll still find me diligently spending most of my spare time working toward future hunting opportunities. For me, bowhunting is a true passion--a way of life. Many have been the time that I've made the statement, "I'm a blessed man; if I died today, I've lived large--spent more time afield than most guys will in 10 lifetimes."

To be successful in the field you must first be successful at the range, especially if you want to hunt year-round. Practice at unknown distances at life-size targets to become acquainted with real-life hunting situations.

On the other hand, being the blue-collar guy that I am, it's a full-time job to manage my life in a manner that allows me to bowhunt at such a top-end level. The sacrifices are many, but to me, it's always been a labor of love. After all, in bowhunting, as with everything else in life, you get out of it what you put into it.

Following, please allow me to share with you all of the many aspects of my year-round bowhunting lifestyle. This accomplished, you can then decide if such a way of life could--or should--ever become reality for you. Here's how the rubber meets the road for this working-class-stiff--a self-confessed junkie of the bowhunting cult...

Tied Down?
Ever heard the old saying, "ace of all trades, master of none?" In the case of my life, nothing could be truer because for the past 28 years I've done construction work. My employer, place, type and time of work are constantly varying. This lifestyle has allowed me to make decent wages, yet I'm not "tied down" to any certain job.

I often work six to seven days a week, 10-12 hours a day from late-January until mid-August, then I "check it in" for the remainder of the year--no strings attached! What it all boils down to is this: where there's a will, there's a way; if you want something bad enough, you'll find a way to make it happen. It just so happens in my case, that the thing I want very badly is time afield--and a lot of it--bow in hand!

As for you, what's your story? Got enough time? Make it, or you're out of the game before you get to first base--unless of course, you choose to pay someone to do everything for you (hiring an outfitter), in which case, this little spill on do-it-yourself, year-round bowhunting isn't for you anyway. On the other hand, if you're the independent type who wishes to become a consummate outdoorsman, then there's no shortcut to success--you've got to take the time. Beg, borrow or steal time, apply it in a year-round effort and you'll soon see great improvements in your bowhunting prowess.