Snarlingiron
Member
4:30 tomorrow morning will find me dressing and loading my car for the last dove season hunt. My friends and I will be on the field in the sunflowers with the Bois d'arc creek to our backs just before sunrise. Hopefully there will be some birds. If there are none, we will walk the 25 yards back to the creek bed and walk the heavy woods and look for some squirrels or maybe a cotton tail. We may take some game and we may not. That is hunting.
At the end of the day it doesn't really matter. I will see the sun creep over the horizon. I will see the critters awaken and start their day's work. I have seen a hawk take a dove. I have seen a Grackle eat a snake. I've seen a Bobcat looking for breakfast. You can't buy these things. They are a gift for those willing to be there.
If you doubt there is a God, if you can't quite find your place in the world, get a friend, get your shotguns, and walk the fields and woods. Whether you harvest game or not, the rewards are great.
For the last 30+ years every time I have brought the subject of hunting, fishing or camping up, my wife has always said, "Go...you always come back with a smile on your face, you are more centered, you are calmer... just go, you need it."
She's a perceptive woman. She's right, I do.
So, my advice is, "Just go. You need it." Whether you bring anything home or not, you will be richer for the experience.
At the end of the day it doesn't really matter. I will see the sun creep over the horizon. I will see the critters awaken and start their day's work. I have seen a hawk take a dove. I have seen a Grackle eat a snake. I've seen a Bobcat looking for breakfast. You can't buy these things. They are a gift for those willing to be there.
If you doubt there is a God, if you can't quite find your place in the world, get a friend, get your shotguns, and walk the fields and woods. Whether you harvest game or not, the rewards are great.
For the last 30+ years every time I have brought the subject of hunting, fishing or camping up, my wife has always said, "Go...you always come back with a smile on your face, you are more centered, you are calmer... just go, you need it."
She's a perceptive woman. She's right, I do.
So, my advice is, "Just go. You need it." Whether you bring anything home or not, you will be richer for the experience.