Dave, you are a true hunter, you go full bore and don't spare the horses. A bit impulsive when it comes to attacking trees, but a hunter's hunter none the less. It was a privilege to be in the field with you last year, and I was so looking forward to this hunt this year.
Every one of the people I hunted with last February represented the best of the best. The ethics, the respect, the enthusiasm, and yes, the
kindness shown toward one another, old friend or fresh unknown, struck me like a fresh fall breeze let into a stuffy room.
This past year has been hard, and I was unable to go deer hunting as I had done for twenty-three years. This hunt was to be a reward, a break, an opportunity to visit and learn more about the people whom I had met, and people that I "talk" with every day on this stupid plastic box. The only thing I could have wished for last year was to have more time for that, time for relaxed, unhurried conversations and kidding around.
I was gonna tease Larry with The Magic Bow, giggle myself silly listening to Joe Skipp's stories, get a little schmaltzy watching Mikey and Shawn and Aram and Curt help the newbies and the children in their unique ways. Driving up, I could even bring a bunny home to eat, where that would have been awkward on a plane. Chris and Ken and Chuck, Drew and Hunter, Doc, maybe Sarah if I could work her into my journey's logistics...damn. I am so disappointed, and it is just one more thing that the Post Office has poked me with.
But I have a job, thank God, and I have to do it. If I want to get paid what I am due, I have to be here for the mail count. It is bad enough that I can't work the count on my regular relief days, but not working even more days would be just too much. I could lose a lot of money, and even my day off.
My heart will be with you, and I will be needing lots of stories and pics.
I will wanna see what I am missing so that I can justify crying in my beer.
Killdeer