Opening Weekend

 The one thing hunters look forward to during their down time is the beginning of the new hunting season, and September 1st is that for me down here in the South.

From the end of deer, dove, duck, turkey and quail seasons, even though I am glad they are over, I always look forward to the next year’s opening day and the beginning of the new hunting season. From September 1st to mid February, May if you turkey hunt, I call this my busy time. Then I take a month or so off and start back all over again getting everything ready for the new season to come. But even during the time off, I have to squeeze in some hog hunting here and there. 

I thought buying my own piece of land instead of leasing would be easier. I don’t know why I thought that, but I did. My own rules instead of someone else’s, my own schedule and my own ideas is what lured me the most. I knew what I was getting myself into. I just didn’t want to let the work load and the amount of time I would have to commit persuade me otherwise. It took the entire first year of working almost every weekend to just get the camp and riding trails trimmed up and situated the way we wanted them. Don’t get me wrong, I am not complaining one bit. I’m just saying it is an ongoing labor of love for sure.

We have so many more plans to keep us busy for years to come on the ranch.

Anyway, back to hunting. One of the best things I have going for me is to be able to hunt, fish and work right along side of my best friend, buddy and wife. I have been blessed with someone that shares all my interests no matter what I am doing. She will work and sweat beside me all day, hunt and fish with the best of em’, relax on the porch with me in the evenings and looks pretty good while doing it all as well. Can’t really complain about any of that.

One of the downfalls of the hunting seasons is that me and her are all-in leaving the daughters and grand babies to do their own things without us. It does make my girls mad sometimes when we can’t make a birthday party, soccer game or dance recital. I always make the smartelic comment “You should have planned your birthing around hunting season.” That never goes over too well to say the least. Or I will say, “I have been to hundreds of soccer games, now it’s your turn.” In the end, we love to do those things with our daughters and their children. I do feel it is part of our job not only as parents, but also grand parents. When the G babies start getting old enough, they will be sitting in the fields or stands with me, but until then I will try and make as many events as I can.

We all have now started sharing a calendar app on the phones where they can see our schedule, what dates we are free and when to schedule their parties or events. I know that may sound bad to some, but lets look at this glass half full for a second. I lived for my wife from the beginning and my children their whole lives. Everything I did was for them sacrificing whatever it was so they could have. Our time as providers and parents are over. We are advisors and mentors now. I do not want to treat them as they are still twelve years old without any knowledge, and may get hurt doing this or that. I give my advise when asked, and if they take it or not is up to them. We did a good job with our girls, and it shows in each one of them as well as in the way they are raising theirs. So I could sit on the porch and waste the rest of my life away wishing I did this or that and waiting for someone to need me, or I can do what I am doing now, going as hard and fast as we can go looking back telling everyone else to hurry and catch up if they want to go with us.   

We’re wasting daylight……… Y’all come on if your going……… Get in the truck……..

See ya next time.

Jerry