My name is Brent Otterson (Pibweir). I was born in Edina, Minnesota on December 9th of 1976. I now live in Jamestown, North Dakota with my wife Crystal and our children--Braidy and Sheyenne. I started to get to know my sisters husband Tom "Frothnag" DuBois who is not only my brother-in-law, but also my best friend. Tom introduced me to bowhunting in 2004 and in the process brought me closer to God and got me pointed in the right direction towards finding Christ Jesus.

My first year of bowhunting (2004) was a great experience hunting both in North Dakota and Wisconsin. Although I had many opportunities to put a deer down, five misses to be exact, I know I got more out of just being in God's country. I'm telling you, once you experience the sport of bowhunting you'll never quit, it's an adrenaline rush I cannot explain, it's addicting! It's the thrill of the hunt and the anticipation of what's to come. Its not knowing what the outcome will be each time you set foot into the woods. Now I sit in my tree stand wondering what I could be doing that would top this, and to no surprise--I have no answer. I sit and listen to what God has created--the wind blowing through the trees, the crunch of a deer's hoof stepping on the brittle fall leaves and the wide variety of wildlife that passes you buy--it's incredible! When you're covered in full Mossy Oak clothing your invincible! And, if you play your cards right no animal will know you're there. The harvest itself is just a bonus, a gift from God.

Bowhunting with my brother in-law is an experience that has changed my life forever. During my second year of bowhunting I finally put a deer down. I would have never guessed that I would harvest a North Dakota ten pointer in full velvet opening night in September of 2005. I got to experience my first harvest with Frothnag, as he was the cameraman for my hunt. You know, at that moment I was invincible and nothing could bother me. It was that one shining moment in my life I'll never forget. It may not have scored high on the Pope and Young scoring system, but to me it was a trophy of a lifetime. Tom "Frothnag" DuBois and Andy "Iedwd" Kaminski let me be apart of something great, Rugged Cross Archery, and for that I'm thankful.

In 2005 I made the decision to be baptized and became a member of St. Johns Lutheran Church. When things get hard in life and you're faced with many problems that have you pinned against the wall, like my past, look inside yourself and follow the Lord. There's nothing you can't overcome--I guarantee it! I give all the credit to Jesus for the changes in my life. Friends and family are very important in my life, but having the lord Jesus at my side could never be replaced. I owe Jesus Christ many thanks for how He has changed my life. The least I can do because of Christ's sacrifice for me is to try to live the life He would want me to live. I've been blessed with so many things in my life and the fellowship associated with bowhunting is just one aspect that has helped me to push on and do the best that I can.

I also thank my sister Faith for never giving up on me. Now we're closer than we've ever been. Someday I hope I can do what my family has done for me by helping others with whatever struggles they my encounter. So you see with a little push in the right direction anything can be accomplished! Any problem can be overcome! Rugged Cross Archery is a gift to me and I'm thankful to be apart of it and I will do my part to make it what God wants it to be. My suggestion to others--never give up and push on--that's my story of how I made it on the road to Christ and bowhunting and what a difference it has made in my life.

Pibweir