Family First
In a discussion about hunting time, the topic would not be complete without taking a moment to address the issue of family. Certainly, in our efforts to bowhunt full-time, we find ourselves stealing as much time as possible. However, our bowhunting passion must never overshadow priority number one--our family. Now, here, if you're one of the rare guys (or gals) that are determined to remain single, totally unattached "freebirds," you can skip all this talk about husband/wife/children responsibilities and move on to the next section. However, if you're like most of us who have a family, let me say this from experience: It's easy to get caught up in the do-it-yourself, full-time-bowhunting world to such an extent that your family suffers wrongly--don't do it.

For the average archery hunter, the spring and summer months are usually a time to relax. However, this is untrue for the full-timer.

On the other hand, if you have a family that enjoys sharing your outdoor passion, certainly include them in it! They can be great support, while at the same time, themselves learning to appreciate the great out-of-doors. I'm blessed to have a daughter that truly appreciates and respects the environment, and a wife who shares my bowhunting passion in her own, unique way.

Support--mentally, physically and spiritually--from my loved ones has helped me to excel greatly in the pursuit of my dreams. I'm living proof that a guy who doesn't make a living from the hunting industry, and who is married with children, can still find the ability to bowhunt year-round.

Walking The Walk
Now, we're getting to the real meat-and-potatoes part of becoming a full-time archery hunter, the part where we look at the logistics of combining all the ingredients necessary to achieve top-end success as a do-it-yourselfer. Please allow me to ramble…

In the reality of my full-time bowhunting world, I spend more time and effort each year looking for and acquiring access to hunting properties than I actually spend hunting! Unless you're leasing a place to hunt, landowner relations are key to access success. Get land ownership booklets, county road maps and then put the rubber on the road. Make phone calls, knock on doors, establish personal friendships--herein lies the "whole ball of wax" for the "self" hunter.

Okay, we've already established the stark necessity of supplying a liberal dose of the two intangibles, desire and time. If you're applying these to your bowhunting efforts, woods savvy will be an inevitable, priceless dividend. By placing your warm body afield as much as possible--both in-season and out--you'll be well on your way to meat in the freezer and "big bone" on your wall.

One of the most overlooked aspects of most bowhunting efforts lies in "post" and "pre" season scouting. Every year, the beginning of my next bow season starts at the end of my last bow season--get that? Whenever I lay my bow down, I grab maps and pruning gear, and tackle my area with reckless abandon.