Thursday, July 5, 2012

Just A Day

What a day we had last December squirrel hunting on the David K. Nelson WMA. That was 7 months ago. Seems like just yesterday. Already these kids look different. They have grown a little more, changed a little in appearance. I wish it was still December of 2011 because time is moving to fast. That little squirrel hunt is something they will take with them as long as they live. Their memories of the place and what we did will be stories they tell to their children someday around the fire. It was only one day but it meant so much to us all. This was a special day. We drove for hours, stopped at the gas station, got some snacks. We were in a place unfamiliar to them. Finding an old brick railroad column the kids made their way to the top and set up defenses. In the meantime our little dogs treed a few squirrels. At lunch we made our way to the truck and caught a nap. My wife drove down 3 hours to our location to pick them up during the lull of the midmorning. The three of us who were older stayed on for the afternoon hunt but the kids hopped in the SUV and headed for Oakman. It was well planned knowing the kids were woke at such an early hour they would be tired and they were. Watching them drive away with Melody was sad. But it was time for them to head out. That afternoon we kicked it up a notch and put those little dogs in gear. I missed the kids but I was 10 years old again myself. So were the other two guys. There is no age in the woods. Only a love for what you are doing. The same thing you were doing so many years ago when you were very young. The drive to hunt game is powerful. It doesn't change. There is always something around the next bend. Always a suprise or a reason to come again. It is 105 degrees in July right now. I am in my office but I can smell the mud of the Tombigbee river. I can feel my feet sink down in it as I look into the top of an 80 ft oak tree. It is quiet......very quiet.....shhhh. I can see him! I'm taking the shot.........