The morning hunt was a success. The sunrise had been spectacular and the birds worked to his beckoning call with ease. The old man left the slough carrying out 6 large ducks and even a bonus canada goose who got a little too close. Jake was happy too.
With the truck loaded up again the old man and the bird dog started back towards town for a hot meal and, possibly, a mid day nap. Then it would be back out into the prairie grasslands to find some more upland game.
The gas light on the truck’s dashboard reminded the old man that the truck won’t run on faith, so he eased into a truck stop just before town. Parking at the pump, he hopped out and began to fill it up.
“You guys going hunting?” the old man heard a voice say from behind him. The old man turned to see a tall, lanky gentleman approaching him. His overalls had dirt stains and what looked to be years of grease worked into the fabric.
“Nope” the old man replied, “We just got back from it. Actually headin’ to town now to find a hot meal to eat.”
“Do any good?” the man replied.
“Yes sir, they were moving pretty good this morning.” the old man said. About the same time Jake eased his head out of the window for a closer inspection.
“Mind if I pet your dog?” the man asked.
“Nope, he’d be offended if you didn’t. His name is Jake and mine is Tom.” the old man said as he stuck out a hand.
“Jim, nice to meet you Tom.. and you too, Jake” the man said, as he shook the old man’s hand and scratched Jake behind the ear.
The two men talked for a few minutes, exchanging info about where they called home, families, work, etc. All the small talk that men will have in these situations. Jim was a farmer, his place was just outside of town. It had been in his family for 3 generations. He loved his work, his wife and his two girls, even though they had moved away after college. He also loved hunting.
The old man told Jim about growing up in southeast, having never moved very far from home. He talked about his two kids and how he loved being a grandpa. He also talked about how he loved it up here in the prairies.
Jim finally cut in, “Tom, not being nosy but, do you guys have plans for the afternoon?”
“We were planning to go hunt some pheasant on the public grounds just up the road here.” the old man said.
Jim smiled, “I’ve got a better idea. What would you say about you and Jake coming out to the farm and hunt with me instead? I’ve got a few chores to finish up but I should be done.. say around 2 this afternoon. Besides, I really want to see that bird dog of yours do some work.”
The old man stood up straight, “We would love to, Mr. Jim. That is very kind of you.”
Jim wrote down the directions to his place on an old napkin and the two parted ways with plans to reconvene that afternoon.
The old man got into his truck and headed into town, already checking his watch to see how much longer they had to wait. He was excited and even Jake seemed to be feeling it too.
The Fall Experience 