Back at the motel, the old man plucked his morning's haul and stored them away in the cooler. He took special care of two of the mallards, intending to give them to Jim when he saw him later today. He kept out one of the gadwall for his lunch. The bacon-filled, cast-iron pan popped and …
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 …
Fighting with God in Mind
In an attempt at being absolutely transparent with my christian brothers and sisters, let me say that having a disagreement with someone, mainly my wife, and remembering my christian values has been, and still is, one of my biggest struggles. This topic is still so relevant that I can still feel the sting from a …
Talking To God
The average American will send 94 text messages and spend 2 hours on social media today. Human beings are chatty people. Even the quiet ones are talking to someone. We are built to communicate through our mouths, our written words, and even our body language. My six month old can't form a single syllable of …
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 …
Day 2
Things I wish: I wish the world were simpler. Minus the plague and disease, I envy the early settlers of North America. Sure life must have been tough, but in a much simpler form. There seems to be something freeing about the idea that your only concerns for the day would be food and shelter, …
The Fall Experience 