The old man was startled awake by the loud buzzing of an alarm clock. It was 6:30 am and it took him a moment to remember where he was. He had spent the night over at Jim's house. Jim's wife, Dottie, insisted that the old man take their offer of the spare bedroom. The offer …
If I gave up hunting.
I've started to notice that some men my age are giving up on hunting seasons. They just aren't getting out in the woods like they use to. They, like me, have gotten married and most of them have a child or are expecting one in the coming months. Their careers have kicked into high gear …
The Long Blind
One of the most impressive parts of a well-trained retriever is watching their blind work. A blind retrieve is sending a dog to pick up an object that they didn't see fall or get placed in that location. The blind retrieve is the epitome of trust in the dog/handler relationship. As a trainer, it takes …
Finding God in an Infant.
October 8th, 2018 was the day my life changed. It is the day that my beautiful wife gave birth to our daughter. Any parent will tell you how amazing it is to have your first child, hold them in your arms, and appreciate the miracle that they are. But this day would also be the …
Strange Hunt
It was hot that afternoon. Even the shade of the large oak above offered little reprieve from the summer sun, unwilling to give way to fall's milder temperatures. But it was dove season and Papa said the birds were flying, so there we were. He sat atop on old, 5 gallon, chemical bucket, well worn …
For the Love of It…
I am in love with hunting. I am in love with its features, its challenges, and its rewards. I am in love with its history and its hope-filled promise of a better tomorrow. I love it for what it is, for what I make it, and for what it has made me. I harbor deep …
Grunt Work
It was late June in South Carolina. My sun-burned, sweat drenched arms reached out to the steering wheel of the tractor. The mix of diesel exhaust and Off bug spray mixed together with the aroma of fresh turned Carolina dirt had become my new cologne. I was happy. I find something very satisfying about work …
November 4th, 2017
Tonight, I hunted the Wes man stand. I realize how cheesy the name sounds even in typing it. The name could have been something more appropriate like the "all the way back" stand, considering its location on the property, or I could even handle something of the more gory type like "slaughter ridge" etc. Â But …
Fragrance
With my anniversary quickly approaching, I am inclined to ponder about what gift I should bestow upon my wife that could possibly say thanks for tolerating me for the past year. Jewelry had crossed my mind a time or two, if only I could persuade my bank account to cough up the money it doesn’t …
Summer Time Blues
Oh, how I loathe the summer. It's as if my whole outlook on life shifts as the spring rains give way to the unbearable South Carolina heat and humidity. Oh, the humidity, the soul sucking, clothes drenching, heaviness that is this humidity. It's a wonder that anyone ever remained here after the expansion to the …
The Fall Experience 