Those who know me or simply follow my writing and social media posts know that I’m a bit of a pronghorn fanatic. I love them, can’t get enough of them, and over the years, have been blessed to harvest a pile of them with my bow. I’ve written countless articles and even a book about these fleet-footed plains dwellers. Do I tell you this to brag or beat my chest? Nope. I just want to lay the background for what’s to come.

You see, when you have regular success on a particular species, you develop somewhat of a reputation — a following — and many in the bowhunting sector begin to view you as an authority on that particular animal. Throughout the year I field more bowhunting-related questions via email, snail mail and through social media about tips and tactics for pronghorn than any other topic. I love it. Why? Because I love to help other hunters be successful. Read that last sentence again, and then let’s move on.

2018 Pronghorn Pursuit

My 2018 Colorado archery pronghorn season kicked off on August 15. I had a particular buck in mind, and it was going to take a miracle of a stalk to pull off the harvest. The buck, throughout the day, kept himself in a perfect spot to ensure his survival and a horrible spot for me to have any hopes of launching an arrow. So, I spent the day helping and filming my buddy. In fact, I didn’t even carry my bow into the field. Not once. Instead, I filmed my buddy get bowhunting close twice, ran a cow decoy, and helped lift his spirts after a couple off-the-mark arrows were fired. It was an awesome day.

I did make a stalk the following day, but the keen eyes of 16 does surrounding my target buck sent a herd of diaper butts bounding over the ridgeline. What did I do? Simple. I resumed my filming duties, set up a few ground blinds and spent time helping my friend.

Social Media Slam

That evening, via Instagram, I got 19 personal messages. Each was from a different hater, asking why I hadn’t been able to score on a pronghorn yet. Worse was the fact that most also noted that I needed to focus on my own hunt and quit following my friend around with a camera.

To quote one post exactly: Aren’t you supposed to be a pronghorn legend? How can you be a legend when you don’t get the job done on opening day? You can’t be the best at something and not focus on yourself. I kill three elk in three states every single year. I used to only kill one because I wasted time taking and helping others. If you want to be somebody in this industry, you need to think about you. Sorry if this seems harsh, but I just think you could explode on Instagram buddy. Stay focused!

Explode on Instagram? I was sad, sickened and downright disgusted. I spent the next hour surfing Facebook and Instagram, focusing on both well-known and not-so-well-known bowhunters. Except for a few that actually lifted my spirts, one very sad, very common theme emerged: The majority focused on the “I” and not the “We”. Most profiles were created for chest beating and showcasing that “perfect outdoor life” that is so easy to create on social media.

It’s this fallacy that many bowhunters, especially youngsters and new-to-the-sport archers, are drawn to, which is just plain sad. The new-to-the-sport bowhunters, those with just a season or two under their belt, often start bowhunting for the right reasons, but begin to drift quickly because others chastise them on social media. Many youngsters simply start down the wrong path. They want to gain a following, project that oh-so-amazing outdoor life, kill only monster animals and belittle others for harvesting what makes them happy. Gross.

Allow me to let all you young and new-to-the-sport bowhunters in on a little secret: Most of these totally “I” centered bowhunters are miserable. Yes, you read that right. Do me a favor and read it again.

A pastor I highly respect recently gave a message telling that those who project the “perfect social media life” are the ones who make the post and then spend the rest of the day in tears. They are riddled with anxiety and absolutely miserable.

Change Begins With a Better Mindset

Bowhunting is about brotherhood. It’s about friendship. It’s about helping others to be their best while working tirelessly to be your best. It’s about accomplishing goals you set for yourself and not feeling the need or want to live up to what you feel others expect of you.

Go be alive! Go be a bowhunter! And please ... please take to heart the “We” bowhunting mentality. It’s this mindset that will help us recruit and retain bowhunters.