The next generation is so important to the future of what we all love and young Tom under the guidance of his dad Nathan @naths_fish_bowhunt_seafaris is exactly what we love to see! Read below the story of:
Tom’s First Wild Mountain Goat with a Compound Bow
After a 6km hike exploring new ground, the sun had just hit 8 a.m. when we spotted a small mob of billies feeding their way up a hill. I had a feeling everything was about to line up perfectly for Tom’s very first arrow shot at a wild mountain goat.
Using the wind to our advantage, we put a plan together to cut them off, hoping they’d feed toward us. We closed the gap to about 100 meters, dropped our packs, and made a beeline to 50 meters. The wind held steady in our faces, and the goats kept feeding in our direction. Step by step, I guided Tom in - inch by inch - until we were tucked in at just 30 meters, hunkered down with the goats coming straight into range.
They drifted closer, eventually within 15 meters. I positioned Tom between two trees, had him nock an arrow, and hold his bow upright in front of his face to blend in. Then I felt it—a slight breeze tickling the back of my neck. I knew we had maybe 30 seconds before the goats caught our wind.
The biggest billy came in closest, but I whispered to Tom not to shoot yet. I wanted him to start with a smaller one. Suddenly, the goats winded us—two bolted, but the third paused at just 15 meters, peeking over a log, unsure of what was happening.
Draw, draw I whispered.
Top pin, right on the airbags, I told him.
Tom steadied himself, lined up his shot, and released. The arrow hit perfectly, a clean lung shot. The goat ran just 40 paces before going down.
Overcome with adrenaline, Tom broke down in tears-tears of joy, relief, and pride. Every hour of training, every bit of frustration and perseverance had led to this moment.
I couldn’t be prouder of Tom and his achievement. At just eight years old, he’s taken his first bow-harvested animal-a memory neither of us will ever forget. And this is only the beginning of his bowhunting journey.
