It's Never One Shot: A Guest Interview with Bowhunter and Author Dr. Eyad H. Yehyawi
Tense silence, slowed breathing, eyes alert, and a heart thudding at a wild pace. Such is the thrill of a bowhunter lining up a shot in a serene landscape in North American timbers. Scientists have proven there is a link between the release of stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol, during high intensity moments and enhanced memory function. And while Dr. Eyad Yehyawi, author of Crimson Arrows: A Bowhunting Odyssey, knows the surge of a hunt, he relies on more deliberate and sustainable practices for recalling his great adventures.
Yehyawi, an Iowan author and skilled bowhunter, delved into storytelling in hopes of creating a guide, for his children and others, to the wonders of our natural world. His re-released book is peppered with beautiful wildlife shots and teaches much more than a few hunting tips. The compound theme is how bowhunting and writing are disciplines; disciplines that require a master to take more than one shot to make the mark.
Before diving into our questions, enjoy a little excerpt from Crimson Arrows about a day in the Iowa timber:
Two weeks later, on October 29, I was headed back to that oak ridge stand. The morning was calm and cool, far from the bitterness that November would bring. I climbed the grassy hillside to the alfalfa field atop its crest and was relieved to not see white flags bounding away through the darkness. I reached the timberline, where the woodland’s brittle and defeated leaves crunched beneath my boots, making each step sound as if I were walking on cornflakes. Soon, I had reached the stand’s platform, and with no snorts or bounding footsteps to applaud my achievement, I felt a great sense of relief. I looked down from my perch and realized the morning was still in its infancy, the forest floor depicting a dark abyss rather than a woodland. I slowly pulled my bow up to the stand, secured my release, and nocked an arrow. It wasn’t long before the ebony shadows dissipated, revealing a woodland in the throes of autumn. The hickories and elms had long since been stripped of their foliage, the first casualties of diminished daylight and colder weather. The oaks weren’t giving up the ghost as easily, holding onto their leaves as if to rebel against the inevitable.
Not long after sunrise, I heard a pair of wood ducks whistle by, catching only a glimpse of their dancing silhouettes between the tree limbs. A flock of honkers materialized overhead, their classic vocals and V-shaped pattern filling the morning air. I was glancing back and forth across the ridgeline when my ears picked up a faint noise to the east. It was not that of a fox squirrel, whose incessant and clumsy rustling had caused my heart one too many false starts in years past. No, this sound was more fluid and consistent, one that a whitetail walking with purpose would make.
MK: Your bowhunting stories are written so vividly, a reader cannot help but feel like they were in the stand with you! How did you train yourself to pay attention to the details of your life?
EY: As a young boy growing up along the Mississippi River, I would often sit beneath the shade of a hickory tree in my backyard and dream of wild adventures. I would stare across the river on those sweltering summer days, wondering what creatures were lurking beneath the lily pads that lined the Illinois shore, and what it would be like to discover their mysteries.
This sense of wonder never left as I grew older, especially regarding wild places. Although I took notes and countless photos, rarely did I have to reference them while writing as my memories were so vivid. I believe we notice the details of the people, places, and experiences that we hold closest to our heart, especially when they are tied to strong emotions such as fear, loss, or excitement. Moments that provoke such emotions have strong ties to our psyche─for better or worse.
In the tales I penned for Crimson Arrows, I focused on stories with strong emotional ties and lessons learned, many of which influence me to this day. I believe the details of our life are the foundation of our memories, and the more attention we pay to the little things the better we can share those experiences with others.
MK: What convinced you to write about your hunting experiences and then publish Crimson Arrows?
EY: My two sons were the inspiration for Crimson Arrows. I wanted them to have a deeper understanding of the outdoors and the life lessons that bowhunting has afforded me. At the time I wrote the book, however, I realized there were no guarantees that they would be interested in the outdoors or bowhunting as they grew older. Therefore, my goal with the book was not to push them into bowhunting per se, but rather to inspire them to chase their dreams and pursue adventures of their own – no matter the endeavor.
What’s more, I wanted them to understand that it’s okay to be afraid if you push through the fear, and that it’s fine to fail as long as you keep trying. Hopefully, anyone who reads this book, whether they have an interest in bowhunting or not, will see the value in that mindset.
MK: Many people are surprised when they find out most good hunters are strong conservationists. Can you share why Earth care, sustainable living, and being active in feeding your family well matters?
EY: When people ask what drew me toward hunting and the outdoors, I always respond that I was a naturalist long before I was a bowhunter. It was through this lens that I first became acquainted and enthralled with the outdoors. While I have introduced my sons to the fields and forests, and we have countless memories together, whether they choose to hunt in the future is their choice. Regardless of their decision, I want them to understand our natural food sources and where they come from, the balance between predator and prey, and that nothing in nature goes to waste.
The outdoors is a great teacher, and I have used my experiences in that classroom to explain many lessons to my boys: life-and-death, conservation, and the importance of respecting our resources. If we lose touch with the outdoors or fail to understand it, we are more likely to take it for granted, and thus, be apathetic toward the preservation of our wild places now and in the future.
MK: In your Afterword, you answer the meaning to life as passion. How might you guide someone to know sustainable passion for life and their pursuits?
EY: This is an interesting question and one that I find myself discussing more often with my children. Although they are young and their interests will change over time, I emphasize how important it is to listen to their inner voice and not shy away from the activities that speak to them. While interests and passions are not synonymous, if one does not pursue their interests and feed their curiosities, they will never know if that drive represents a short window of time or the first steps of a journey that will last a lifetime.
Therefore, if I were tasked with guiding someone to discover their passion, I would not tell them what they should be interested in, but instead, ask them to forget all that society, their peers, and colleagues might think, and simply describe what brings them the most joy and happiness. I say this only because the genesis of passion rarely comes from the rewards or accolades you receive, but rather, the deep sense of fulfillment and joy you feel while in their pursuit. Once you discover these endeavors, the ones that elicit positive and lasting emotions, you will often unmask your passion.
MK: Your community in Crimson Arrows, of friends, mentors, and fellow bowhunters are critical to the whole story. Why is engaging with a community, that shares the same interest as you, important to growth and continuity?
EY: I consider life to be a journey, and no journey is complete without a mentor. Some taught me self-compassion, others forced me to dig deeper and discover grit, while many more provided opportunities, wisdom, and a helping hand. Without these individuals and their influence, Crimson Arrows would not exist.
Having peers and colleagues you can communicate within a specific area is invaluable, as only a fellow writer understands the frustration of a first draft, and a bowhunter the pain and plight of a missed shot after a long season. It is critical we surround ourselves with those who hold us accountable, and who challenge us to a higher standard. Whether it was writing, bowhunting, or recovering from my stroke, there were countless instances in which I wanted to quit. Success seemed nothing more than a pipe dream. But communicating with likeminded individuals was good medicine and always pushed me through. Knowing that others had faced similar challenges and still prevailed, no matter the enterprise, gave me the resolve to keep trying.
In essence, this is what I wanted to accomplish with Crimson Arrows. To not only share my adventures and dreams, but to detail the internal struggles, emotional turmoil, and the roller coaster of setbacks and successes that I experienced along the way. Surrounding yourself with communities who share the same passion, through books, blogs, and conversation is how we get better; it is how we overcome the hurdles and push through the roadblocks, because we know those before us have done the same and eventually, through hard work and perseverance—tasted success.
MK: And with that thought, we are so grateful to you for sharing your hard won lessons with all of us. One of my greatest discoveries, since starting this blog, has been all of the incredible individuals around Iowa pursuing their passions to enhance the world around them. Thank you, Dr. Eyad Yehyawi!
To read the full collection of Yehyawi’s tales, snag a copy of Crimson Arrows either on Amazon or get a signed copy straight from the author’s website here.
Two books that have been instrumental in Yehyawi’s life are listed below for purchase. He returns to them for rereads in various seasons of his life and highly recommends each for the encouragement they provide while chasing our dreams.
Eyad H. Yehyawi has been bowhunting for nearly thirty years, traveling across the United States, Canada, and Africa. A naturalist long before he was a bowhunter, Eyad’s passion for the outdoors dates as far back as he can remember. While majoring in biology at Quincy University, he worked in conservation and wildlife management before deciding to pursue his interests in health care. Many of his stories and photos have appeared in the publications Bow & Arrow Hunting, Bowhunter, Bowhunt America, Iowa Outdoors, and Outdoor Life. Eyad currently lives in Iowa with his wife and children, where he practices optometry and continues to write. Crimson Arrows: A Bowhunting Odyssey can be purchased at Amazon in print, digital, and audio versions, with signed copies available at www.crimsonarrowsmedia.com