This is not a hunting story with lots of shots taken and fine fall birds birds ready for the pot. But it is a story about family and a fine time in the fall woods. My niece, Katie, who has never hunted anything in her life, surprised me by asking to go turkey hunting. Seems she wanted to cook up a Thanksgiving bird that she killed herself. She is an outstanding cook by the way. Well that was good. On top of that the best hunting buddy I have ever had, my Dad, decided he wanted to go as well. I had given up on the possibility of ever hunting much with him again. His health has declined rapidly in the last couple years. I don’t know how many of you have ever dealt with Dementia and Alzhiemer’s but it is a sad thing to watch. There is literally nothing you can do. Well, Dad and I decided we would hunt the day before taking out Katie to try to locate some birds. We got his stuff together the nite before to try to streamline things a bit. No matter, let me just say that getting dressed was a challenge. Actually it was pretty funny and we laughed our way thru it. The day went real well, we were hunting familiar ground and that was good for Dad. But the birds were harder to find than expected. We did finally manage to get 4 longbeards in front of Dad but he couldn’t quite get it done. And we found a few more birds that evening to put to bed for Katie. The next morning was not the best weather for a first time turkey hunter. Foggy, cold and raining. But we got ‘er together and hit the woods anyway. The birds I knew were close just didn’t want to play. Closed mouth, flew down and disappeared into the fog. We stayed with it and kept up the chase and eventually got close on a small flock. I think trying to get 3 people set up fast was just a bit too much. The birds got close but there was a lot of squirming going on and we never saw the birds. I think they knew something was up. After that deal we did find another small flock but the terrain wasn’t right rite and the birds talked real well but eventually wandered off. But what really was amazing is that my niece hung in there thru the rain, cold and close calls like a trooper. Dad sort of came back to his old self (we were hunting ground that we had hunted many times) and he started telling Katie about old hunts, birds killed and all sorts of stuff. And she was the perfect grandchild. She knows the deal and that any time spent with “old Grandad” is precious. Jumping into his conversation with all the right “Awesome!”, “Wow!”. I have to say my feminine side surfaced just a bit and I had to turn away a couple times day during these events. At the end of the day we had no birds to show for our efforts but I couldn’t think of a better day with 3 generations of my family in the woods on a turkey hunt. And with a first time hunter and possibly a last time hunter. It was as she said “AWESOME!”..
Sorry for the long post with no real hunting but I just wanted to take a minute and encourage anyone out there, everyone out there, to take every opportunity to share every moment with those people in your life that are special to you. A Dad, son or daughter. That old uncle who was your mentor growing up. Yes, it is some extra work. Yes, it might make you hunt less successful if you measure it by how much game is in the back of the truck. Even if it is just for an hour. But IT WILL BE WORTH IT. Fall is the perfect time to share some time with family in the woods. Deer, turkeys, squirrels or whatever it is all good. If they want to go take ‘em!! I have been blessed with some great days in the woods with friends and family but this one is right up near the top. One of my best all-time days!
