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I also learned an arrow does not always have to kill. Sometimes the better shot is the one that ends a fight without taking a life. Knowing when to use a sleep arrow, when another type of arrow is needed, or when not to fire at all requires judgment. That is something I have come to value greatly. A Ranger should have the skill to defend himself and others, but should also have enough control to understand that having the ability to kill does not mean you always should. I have also learned that archery has affected the way I look at the wilderness itself. I pay more attention now. I notice the shape of the land, the direction of the wind, the movement of animals and the places where someone could stand without being seen. I look at a tree differently when I know what kind of wood it can provide. I look at an animal differently, I understand its tracks and habits. I look at a path differently, I know where it leads and where someone might choose to travel. Archery has made me more aware of everything around me. That is probably the biggest reason I believe I can call myself a Master Archer. I don't believe mastery means that every arrow I fire will hit its mark. I dont believe it means I am better than every other person who carries a bow. To me, mastery means understanding the bow well enough that it becomes an extension of everything else I have learned. It means patience when patience is needed, speed when speed is needed and restraint when restraint is the better choice. It means knowing my surroundings, knowing my equipment and knowing my target. Most importantly, it means understanding the responsibility that comes with being able to take a life with a single arrow. The bow has become much more than a weapon to me. It is a tool, a skill, a responsibility and a part of the Ranger I have become. -Gad | |