Who said we shall endeavor to persevere

The easy road is the self-condemning route on which we replay our mistakes repeatedly and sink into a sullen, depressed mood. We may even think about quitting for the season, or hanging up our bows for good. I know -- I've been there. But what do we gain from that? That road just stymies personal growth and forward progress. I "endeavored to persevere" for seven long elk seasons before reaping the reward -- this Colorado 6x6. The higher road is the path of objectivity and determination.

It requires that we not only accept our mistakes, but that we analyze them, learn from them, and vow to do better next time. It requires that we get back in the game and endeavor to persevere. It may be the more difficult route, but it is also the far more admirable and satisfying. On my first elk hunt, I had one of the most memorable experiences of my life but did not kill an elk. Little did I anticipate that it would take me seven years to realize my goal.

It was a long and sometimes trying haul, but I endeavored to persevere, and, finally, in September , in a deep Colorado canyon, I found myself kneeling behind a big pine tree, just six yards from a gorgeous bull. Unfortunately for me, with the pine tree covering his vitals, we were locked in a classic standoff. My hunting partner, John Flaherty, was uphill 50 yards away, cow-chirping to divert the bull's attention. If the bull were to step forward, I would have a "gimme" shot, but he stood his ground behind the tree, suspecting something was amiss.

Finally, he scrutinized me with one eye and probably noticed the vibration of my trembling body. Instantly, he bolted uphill. Instinctive-ly I stood and stepped to the side of the tree. At 25 yards, the elk paused to look back, quartering away. Without conscious thought, I drew my pound recurve and released.

The arrow flew true, and my gut told me the high road had brought me home. After a brief blood trail, I stood over my first elk, a gorgeous 6x6. A strange mix of euphoria and disbelief overcame me, and I had a hard time holding back tears as I recalled seven years of attempts, missteps, almosts, and failures that finally led to this moment.

Endeavor to persevere was never more appropriate than at this time. My heart goes out to beginning bowhunters who are slugging it out, trying to make things happen for their first animal; and to those who've been bow-hunting for a long time but just can't seem to connect.

The discouragement can cause some to walk away from this great sport. What a tragedy! We veteran bow-hunters need to open up and be honest in helping beginners to understand the full picture of what it takes to succeed in bowhunting.

I want to shout, "Don't let your failures get you down -- you'll get there. He makes his home in Moorhead, Minnesota. Give a Gift Subscriber Services. See All Special Interest Magazines. All Bowhunter subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.

Get Digital Access. Subscribe To The Magazine. More Articles From Stories. November 04, By Rollie Johnson. The movie by 30 years came first. Look it up. Poems are the property of their respective owners. All information has been reproduced here for educational and informational purposes to benefit site visitors, and is provided at no charge Next Poem. Previous Poem.

George Wootton. Endeavor To Persevere. Autoplay Next Video. Saturday, June 16, Download image of this poem. Report this poem. This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.

Lone Watie : Hell is coming to breakfast. Grandma Sarah : What's all that paint about? Lone Watie : It's my death face. Grandma Sarah : You know, we're sure gonna show them redskins somethin' tomorrow. No offense meant. Lone Watie : None taken. Captain Terrill : [to Josey] Josey Wales! You're all alone now, Wales! Grandma Sarah : This Mr. Wales is a cold-blooded killer.

He's from Missouri where they're all known to be killers of innocent men, women, and children. Lone Watie : Would you rather be riding with Comancheros, Granny? Grandma Sarah : No, I wouldn't.

Lone Watie : wore this frock coat in Washington, before the war. We wore them because we belonged to the five civilized tribes. We dressed ourselves up like Abraham Lincoln. We only got to see the Secretary of the Interior, and he said: "Boy! You boys sure look civilized.!

We told him about how our land had been stolen and our people were dying. When we finished he shook our hands and said, "endeavor to persevere! They took our pictures. And the newspapers said, "Indians vow to endeavor to persevere. Sign In. The Outlaw Josey Wales Showing all 23 items. Jump to: Photos 8 Quotes Besides it ain't supposed to be easy to sneak up behind an Indian Lone Watie : I'm an Indian, all right; but here in the nation they call us the "civilized tribe. Create a list ».