"Growing up, I was always outside, whether it was fishing with my uncles or scouting deer with my dad," she says. "I grew up riding horses and playing in my mom's flower beds."
Although she fished throughout her youth and was around family who hunted, Rachel did not actually start hunting until later in her teen years.
"I didn't begin hunting until I was around 18," she says. "When I began learning it was just another way to enjoy the outdoors. I had no idea how it would become a way of life. Soon I had a friend introduce me to archery and shooting my bow became a daily hobby"
Used to being outside, Rachel quickly became interested in year-round scouting and preparation that goes into the hunting season. "I hunted with a gun in the beginning to get a feel for the sport," she said. "but I soon learned that bow hunting would be my passion."
"I learned that getting up and watching the world come alive from a tree stand would be something I could never take for granted." she said. "After learning to hunt on my own I found I wanted to introduce others to the sport and teach them that if I can do it and learn then they can too."
Rachel is dedicated to bow hunting and quality deer management, and also hunts wild turkeys.
"It is so peaceful out there, yet so suspense-filled when the big one strolls by," she said. "I have learned to respect the animals I hunt and try to only take mature adults. Whether it is a beautiful spring morning listening for a gobbler to close the distance or a cool Fall day waiting for a buck to cruise by in pursuit of a doe, there is nothing like it!"
Rachel is a member of the Hoyt's Shooting Staff, Carbon Express shooting staff, Quality Archery Designs shooting staff and a writer for Women Hunters.Com.
E-mail Rachel Jones at rachel@tnhunting.com.
