Why I hunt...

[Covey]

I would not know how it fells to watch the man I looked up to all my life suffer in such a way! my dad passed away about 7 years ago in his sleep, a good christain man and a great father, never went hunting with him but we done alot of fishing together, but he always encouraged me in all of my bowhunting adventures. I remember him trucking me all over the country when I was about 13 looking for essentials the night before season! I miss him daily and wish he was here but the good memorys will last me the rest of my life! now I have a 10 year old son that I get to play the part for and I'm looking forward to every second of it!! carry on brother and keep the faith!! Jason

[Mr Vic at the cabin]

 Thanks I read that and it made me relize a few things. My dad and I started bowhunting back in 1969 and i only missed two season with him. We hunted hard almost every available time there was. Spending some eight hours a day in the woods together hundreds and thousands of days.In the last few years while i was fighting to stay afloat he has pis--- me off many times and hurt me many other times. but you made me think of what it would be like with out the good times we had and will have while he is still here hunting.

[horatio1226]

We should strive to be the dad that Jamie's father is.

[Gaff]

well written jamie!!! as i type this i have a tear.. your a great guy. im sure your dad is very proud of who you turned out to be..

good luck this season. we should get out together. i'll be workin not far from you this year.

gaff

[jcar315]

Thank you for sharing. My Dad never took me hunting but he did take me along when he shot his Bear Grizzly with my Mom when I was little. Eventually he got me my own red fiberglass Bear bow and it was awesome!!! Like others have said just a small act that ignited a fire in me that burns even stronger today then it ever has.

Lots of Dads here at TG and maybe we could keep in mind some of the small things we can do to maybe start a fire in our kids, or some neighbor kid, that someday they can remember us fondly as the one who put them on the path as a hunter.

thanks again for sharing.

[woodchucker]

Jamie,

Your father has been a big influence on you,and we can see that you have learned your lessons well My Friend!!!!!

Your Son is very lucky Jamie,he will grow up with the same kind of Dad that you grew up with.

It is a Good Thing          

[Benha]

The sun is only half way over the horizon and I am on sensory overload. The sounds in the woods have me looking around trying to see everything at once. Even though the sounds are foreign to me I’m not scared because he is here with me and I know that I’m safe.

 He walks soft barely making a sound but I stumble and crack twigs making way to much noise but he says nothing about it. We settle under a tree to wait for things to quieten down and for the squirrels to start running the tree tops. We sit and I look at the shotgun in his lap. I am drawn to it like a moth to a flame. I reach out to touch the scratched and worn stock.
I am lost in a boys thoughts when he leans over and whispers “There he is, see him?” I look but my untrained eyes see nothing but limbs. “Look where I am pointing.”

Suddenly I see the squirrel with his question mark of a tail sure that he is hidden from us. I watch him waiting for the shot but am shocked to see him offering the gun to me. “You shoot him I’ll help you steady the gun.”

I am trembling as my senses kick it up a notch. As he leans over my shoulder to help with the gun I smell the milk barn, Prince Albert and Old Spice. I aim and say a boy’s prayer to not miss. For a six-year-old letting his Pa down would be a fate worse than death.

I pull the trigger and the squirrel begins the last trip to earth he will ever make. Pa gives my back a pat and says, “You did it!” I am thrilled, sad, and anxious for the next squirrel the emotions mixing and welling up inside me.

I pick up the squirrel and he asks if I want to go to the house to show my grandmother and I say yes. On this morning a hunter is born.

[trad_bowhunter1965]

Thanks Jamie.Blake

[Izzy]

I feel ya pal, hope this autumn is good for you and all of yours.

[frassettor]

PM Sent....ishiwannabe

[Maxflight]

The years left of hunting with my father are now counted on one hand and hopefully, and by God's grace, this one won't be last.

I still remember the fall morning over 50 years ago that a father took his eldest on a morning bow hunt before he went to work. The young raccoon that visited us and the apple we shared with it. The smell of the fall woods and the doe that came within 15 yds. in spite of a fidgeting 6 yr. old. The blackened cork that we rubbed on our faces for camoflage. The PB&Js we ate on the way home and chocolate milk from a Mason jar.

Thanks Dad.

[imskippy]

Thank you for sharing your heart with us. Thank you Jamie for the inspiration to become a better father and son. I was the one who re-introduced my dad to hunting when I was 10 years old. He hadn't hunted since the year before I was born. My 2nd cousin about 17 at the time and his father were hunters and I aspired to be like them. They taught me most of what I knew until tradgang. Now you guys teach me more than ever. I hope some day to be the father to my children that your father has been to you. I vow to be a better father as of this very moment. Thank you for opening my minds eyes.  SKippy