Bella Nottnagel, May –
I can still remember my first time shooting a bow. I hardly knew anything about archery, but when I shot my first ten and felt that adrenaline rush, I was hooked. It was that shot that led me to keep going and to spread out into different areas in the archery world. And now, I can’t imagine my life without archery.
I started shooting NASP® about three years ago, and when I tried 3D archery for the first time, I had a blast. Most of my family and a bunch of my friends hunt, and they helped me get on my feet. I shot my first deer with a rifle, but I really wanted to try the challenge of bowhunting, so I got a compound bow. So far, I have shot two deer with a rifle, but my big goal is to shoot a bull elk with my compound this year!
Besides hunting, NASP® also inspired me to become a junior bow-ed instructor, because I wanted to help educate and inspire kids just like me to get outside and bowhunt. I also gained more experience with concepts as I was helping teach them. Although the best thing I took away from teaching was the many jokes and laughs we shared, along with helping them learn real-life skills and grow more confident in the woods.
Since I started hunting, I’ve had a lot of fun and made some great memories. Even if you don’t fill your tag, simply being outside and enjoying the peace is worth it. Being out there really makes you appreciate the privileges we enjoy and the opportunities we have as hunters.
NASP® isn’t just about learning to shoot a bow. It’s about giving kids opportunities to become more confident and disciplined. For many of us, it’s helped spark a deeper interest in the outdoors, archery, and wildlife conservation. It’s not just a school thing- it can turn into something you’ll love doing for life!
