The Years perspective.. another log entry..
Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2005 10:39 am
What new perspective have you gained this hunting season. Was it just another year that the birds didn’t show in numbers you once experienced? Or maybe a banner year that reminded you of what we use to have all the time?
Log entry 1/23/2005
My insight on this year was raised for a number of reasons of which I will only write of a few in this log as the season comes to an end.
First I was limited in my outings this year more so than any year since the 70’s. I took on a new job that required more of my time than I have ever allowed a job to do since I quit my last one in the early eighties. I reached a time in my life that I felt I could no longer spend weeks at a time in the field due to my age, age of my children, and the need to spend those quality days with them as they will likely be gone before I know it.
God willing I will never regret giving up my time in the marsh to be with them as I did this past holiday season. I must admit that I felt hollow at times. I knew that what I was doing would be right for the long haul but it was hard for a man that is use to being in the wild this time of year to stay home.
It was also hard not to travel the roads as I have always done in an attempt to find birds. The fact is that I felt I should have been doing this the entire time I was at home.
As of this writing I have spent only 47 days in the field this year and it looks as if I will be spending only three more by the close.
I personally have killed only 71 birds to date. This is less than a fourth of what my normal year has produced in the past. Yet the numbers mean little to me these days. I have long past the need to have numbers to feel successful. It is and has been for several years the quality of the hunt and not the quantity that I harvest.
I hunted Deer for 11 days this season. What a blessing it was to sharpen my skills on other game besides birds. As I hunted deer this year I used everything that the older wiser deer hunters taught me. I found that surreal emotions run through me as I hunt a game that is much smarter than their waterfowl counter parts. I came to understand that to call myself a hunter I need to experience it all. What I have found is a profound respect for the game I chase and the harsh realization that they have a much tougher row to hoe than most living creatures. Game that is hunted, is hunted not only by man but other creatures thus making their everyday survival a constant threat.
I ended up with 5 deer for the year. A 9 point, 8 point, 7 point, and two doe. I passed up dozens of shots in an effort to become a better hunter and to only harvest the older deer. I have learned an art of deer hunting that has carried me to a new level in my life. It has sharpened my skills, my senses, and my respect for the game I take.
I met some young duck hunters that moved into spots that I hunt. They got there early beating me to areas that others would not venture. It is obvious that the internet and my time on it has put the MSDuckmen a target for those looking for new places to hunt. Time after time they beat me to the area and those times that they did I would go to other places that I knew they didn’t know about. I would listen through out the morning as they would volley multiples times. I smiled knowing that what I was hearing was what many heard over the years as I hunted those areas. This past weekend I beat them to the area and they showed up and walked up to me and asked where I was going? Once I told them I could see the frustration in their eyes and told them that many times they beat me to this spot and I gave them space. Today I expect the same. Without hesitation they said they would do just that. After the morning hunt I drove around to where they had gone and they were just coming out. I told them how much I appreciate them not moving in on me and they again said they would not have considered that. It gave me a new respect for young hunters and as I set there with them I showed them a list of areas that they could hunt simply because they showed me they understood and respected other hunters. I felt good about meeting them and better about some of the youth that are in our marshes today. Maybe there is hope for us yet. Attala county boys – you alright by me…
Several times Ramrod called and invited me to hunt with him and each time I would be obligated to some other plan but I found great joy when he told me that he finally somewhat understood what I have been telling him all along about quality of a hunt verses quantity. I had hoped that he would evolve to that level and it seems that he may be on his way.
One of the few regrets I have is not hunting with some of the new people I have met this past year however it was simple not going to happen with all that has come about this season.
As this years log comes to an end I find myself as a cup only have full, I long for more but dare not attempt to fill it. This energy I pray will carry me into next year with stronger instincts and an increased humbling attitude that will make me more appreciated of the liberties I have and the hopes that it will help to wash away any silly self importance that I tend to carry for no good reason.
Log entry 1/23/2005
My insight on this year was raised for a number of reasons of which I will only write of a few in this log as the season comes to an end.
First I was limited in my outings this year more so than any year since the 70’s. I took on a new job that required more of my time than I have ever allowed a job to do since I quit my last one in the early eighties. I reached a time in my life that I felt I could no longer spend weeks at a time in the field due to my age, age of my children, and the need to spend those quality days with them as they will likely be gone before I know it.
God willing I will never regret giving up my time in the marsh to be with them as I did this past holiday season. I must admit that I felt hollow at times. I knew that what I was doing would be right for the long haul but it was hard for a man that is use to being in the wild this time of year to stay home.
It was also hard not to travel the roads as I have always done in an attempt to find birds. The fact is that I felt I should have been doing this the entire time I was at home.
As of this writing I have spent only 47 days in the field this year and it looks as if I will be spending only three more by the close.
I personally have killed only 71 birds to date. This is less than a fourth of what my normal year has produced in the past. Yet the numbers mean little to me these days. I have long past the need to have numbers to feel successful. It is and has been for several years the quality of the hunt and not the quantity that I harvest.
I hunted Deer for 11 days this season. What a blessing it was to sharpen my skills on other game besides birds. As I hunted deer this year I used everything that the older wiser deer hunters taught me. I found that surreal emotions run through me as I hunt a game that is much smarter than their waterfowl counter parts. I came to understand that to call myself a hunter I need to experience it all. What I have found is a profound respect for the game I chase and the harsh realization that they have a much tougher row to hoe than most living creatures. Game that is hunted, is hunted not only by man but other creatures thus making their everyday survival a constant threat.
I ended up with 5 deer for the year. A 9 point, 8 point, 7 point, and two doe. I passed up dozens of shots in an effort to become a better hunter and to only harvest the older deer. I have learned an art of deer hunting that has carried me to a new level in my life. It has sharpened my skills, my senses, and my respect for the game I take.
I met some young duck hunters that moved into spots that I hunt. They got there early beating me to areas that others would not venture. It is obvious that the internet and my time on it has put the MSDuckmen a target for those looking for new places to hunt. Time after time they beat me to the area and those times that they did I would go to other places that I knew they didn’t know about. I would listen through out the morning as they would volley multiples times. I smiled knowing that what I was hearing was what many heard over the years as I hunted those areas. This past weekend I beat them to the area and they showed up and walked up to me and asked where I was going? Once I told them I could see the frustration in their eyes and told them that many times they beat me to this spot and I gave them space. Today I expect the same. Without hesitation they said they would do just that. After the morning hunt I drove around to where they had gone and they were just coming out. I told them how much I appreciate them not moving in on me and they again said they would not have considered that. It gave me a new respect for young hunters and as I set there with them I showed them a list of areas that they could hunt simply because they showed me they understood and respected other hunters. I felt good about meeting them and better about some of the youth that are in our marshes today. Maybe there is hope for us yet. Attala county boys – you alright by me…
Several times Ramrod called and invited me to hunt with him and each time I would be obligated to some other plan but I found great joy when he told me that he finally somewhat understood what I have been telling him all along about quality of a hunt verses quantity. I had hoped that he would evolve to that level and it seems that he may be on his way.
One of the few regrets I have is not hunting with some of the new people I have met this past year however it was simple not going to happen with all that has come about this season.
As this years log comes to an end I find myself as a cup only have full, I long for more but dare not attempt to fill it. This energy I pray will carry me into next year with stronger instincts and an increased humbling attitude that will make me more appreciated of the liberties I have and the hopes that it will help to wash away any silly self importance that I tend to carry for no good reason.
better get your "BUBBLES" IN ORDER....AND PRACTICE MONTHLY! ya gonna need it 
Those same feelings,
I have heard reports of the fine hunts the Attala boys are having and wondered if they were some of your competition. Figured they were. Pretty good ole boys though even if they are making you lose some sleep 
I've had that problem myself as well I just think it makes the outing that much more fun the whole "race" to the hole albeit, more than one other group to worry about wouldn't be such fun. Would it Don Miller?