Hunting Traditions

When I first started hunting exactly 40 years ago, all I knew was that I couldn't wait for opening day. Then I couldn't wait for the next Saturday, then the next, and so on. As I've said, from the first second of my first hunt, I knew I'd found something I would do the rest of my life. What I didn't realize back then, was that I was developing relationships -- with my father; my grandfather; my best friend, Rex; my colleague and mentor Gene; and my cousin, Brad, who is like a bother to me. Those people I hunt with have become my closest friends. That's just how it works. You want to hunt with someone who has similar thoughts and interests, but most of all, you want to hunt with someone you can trust -- with your life. Over the years, you weed out those you can't trust and gravitate to those you do. They stick. But the other thing that happens, slowly, is that you develop traditions. A spontaneous hunt is organized, then it happens the second year, then a third, then you set the date and plan for next year's hunt at the end of this year's trip. Hunting is about traditions, and most of us develop strong feelings and loyalties to those traditions. The traditions alone enrich our lives, providing something to remember and to look forward to. It doesn't matter that our bird numbers are poor this year. Brad's coming, and we'll hunt. We'll grill steaks, walk the fields and laugh at old stories. We'll hunt hard, but most of all we'll enjoy each other's company and revel in the experience. I can't wait.