Editor’s note: This series will connect topics between Christianity and hunting. The series will run throughout the archery and rifle deer seasons.

The buck was bigger than I thought when he lifted his head up out of the small ravine.

My eyes were locked in on this buck for a while as my location was between two large fallen trees. I was in an in-between and was unsure if I should go up over the fallen tree or under to get a good shot. The buck was only 20 yards away. He was eating and moving from undergrowth to undergrowth and all I could see were his antlers.

I had been kneeling down and was able to maneuver quietly to get a good rest for the crossbow as I was looking under the fallen tree. In my scope I could see some weeds, but it was not enough to disrupt the trajectory of the arrow (or so I thought). The buck was moving swiftly and then he stopped. At that moment I had an open shot and I took it.

I felt very confident.

The buck ran up to the oak tree patch up above me and just looked at me. I knew then, at that moment, that I missed. However, I still went to look for evidence of a good shot. I thought to myself, “How could I have missed? The buck was only 20 yards away.”

Saint Augustine, an incredible theologian and bishop in the Fourth century, was once asked, “What are three ways one can get to heaven?” Augustine’s response was, “humility, humility, humility.”

One of the best gifts received in hunting is humility. When I missed that big 8-point buck a couple of years ago, the hunter’s pride within me was diminished and I was struck with hunter’s humility.

I replayed the hunt in my mind. I thought of all the possibilities of why I had missed. Maybe the undergrowth was more than what appeared in my scope. Or perhaps my awkward body positioning under the fallen tree made me miss the deer. Maybe the arrow had a defect.

Then I finally said to myself, “I missed. That is what happened.”

The humility received from that hunt of missing a nice 8-point buck actually helped me to appreciate hunting all the more. Humility enhances human life as it demands the person to lower themselves before God [humility stems from the Latin root humilitas which means low, grounded, from the earth]. Think of the word “humus” – the organic component of soil.

Saint Thomas Aquinas described humility as “a virtue that restrains and tempers the mind from immoderately going after high things.” In other words, humility keeps a hunter in their boots, down in the ground.

What are three ways one can enjoy hunting more? Saint Augustine would likely say, “hunter’s humility, hunter’s humility, hunter’s humility.” Be thankful for the moments in hunting that have helped in developing hunter’s humility.

Each hunter should reflect back on the moments in hunting when the gift of hunter’s humility was received. The hunter should also ask God for an increase in humility, for it is the most valuable arrow in the quiver of the human soul.

Luke Daghir is a seminarian for the Diocese of Erie. He is with St. Joseph and St. Luke Parishes in Warren County for his parish mission. He learned how to hunt from his dad in the forests of Elk County, Pa. His favorite part about hunting is spending time with family and friends. He also enjoys hearing and sharing stories with other hunters. His column appears every other week.