Rebecca Brewer claims adrenaline is a hormone released in response to stress or excitement, leaving your heart pumping with anticipation. A number of emotions or activities can cause this effect.
And Brewer has had a lot of experience with this rush.
“None of those times compare with that of being on the deer stand,” Brewer said. “My parents are to thank for introducing me to hunting — so today I have over 20 years of experience with the sport.
“The thrill of being on the stand, waiting on that moment for whatever you’ve been hunting to step into view, is indescribable.”
Brewer began bow hunting when her mother purchased a new bow and handed down her old outfit to her daughter. Tired of being the only one left in camp, and eager to try something new, Brewer threw herself into bow hunting.
“I was beyond nervous waiting on the stand just 20 yards from my green patch instead of my comfortable one 200 hundred yards away,” she said. “Breathing alone made me fear I would be heard or seen. Fear was shortly replaced with pure adrenaline as I caught site of movement in the woods leading to the patch.
“Instant disappoint followed as the figure turned out to be a hog. I knew they were taking over the camp, but I didn’t feel prepared to shoot one with a bow. Three more hogs followed within minutes.”
And then the hogs camped out.
“Realizing they weren’t going anywhere I eased my phone from my pocket,” Brewer said.
“Snapping a quick picture, I sent it to my dad asking if I had any chance of seeing deer at this point. I sent the picture to my brother and husband, too, so they could see what I was experiencing.
“My dad confirmed my thoughts of no chance of seeing any deer with the hogs present. Then I had a rapid text response from all three telling me to take a shot at one of the hogs. My first response was, ‘Oh, yeah, easy for them to say.’ Then I figured, ‘Hey what do I have to lose.’”
Brewer eased the bow off her lap, took aim and squeezed the release. The arrow hit directly behind the hog’s front left shoulder, and the pig took off with arrow firmly in place.
“I immediately texted my dad, telling him I shot one and to come get me because I wasn’t getting down,” she said. “It was less than 10 minutes when my dad came to the rescue with pistol in hand.”
Feeling safe enough to get down, she indicated the direction the hog ran. She patiently waited in the safety of the patch as her father tracked the hog through the woods. Soon, he found a few drops of blood, and then her arrow.
Fear and anticipation of having to face an angry hog were replaced with excitement as her first bow kill was dragged back to the patch.
“The excitement from that first bow hunt had me wondering why I’d never picked up a bow in the past 20 years,” Brewer said. “Needless to say I will not miss another bow season. I’ll have a new bow and all accessories in tow in the future.
Brewer’s TipYou get back what you put into it. Practice, scout, learn deer movements and mannerisms, and be as still as possible.
Brewer’s equipment: • Bow — High Country set at 50 pounds • Arrows — Gold Tip• Broadheads — Montex fixed-blade models• Drawlock
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