Things I miss...

[Handgunner]

While I enjoy living on the land I hunt, it's this time of year that gets me to "looking back"..

Things I miss.

1. The getting ready for opening day. Checklists, gadget finding, packing things up, etc... the overall "build-up" that friday before and heading down.

2. Loading the truck up with your buddies and hitting the road before "traffic gets us"... Then pulling over and reloading the truck. :D

3. Waiting in traffic seeing the trucks pass by that have deer stands and 4 wheelers in tow. And the wondering of "where they hunt" and "if they'll get anything".

4. The arriving at camp way later than you wanted, but not really minding. Getting things ready in the dark, tripping over yourself, stuff set up and ready to go and that laying in bed praying for sleep, or that big one the next morning. It's hard to sleep when you're system is on "go" since this morning when the alarm clock rang... so even though you're tired, you are wired!

5. The smell of a campfire or fresh coffee... Not coffee being brewed in a house, but over a campfire with the smell of good ol' hardwood mixed with it.

6. Breakfast over that same fire!

7. The deep breathe you take right before clearing your sleeping bag to get ready for the morning.

8. That cold ground on bare feet.

There's just something about that, that I miss. Me and my buddy would make a ritualistic type thing out of opening weekend. We'd pack thursday night, go to work friday, leave work hopefully early and then make last minute gear checks, and "Atlanta, here we come!"... After making it through Atlanta, like clock work, we'd exit at the Forsyth/Monticello exit and eat at the Wendy's on top of the hill, top off with gas, and "Dublin, get ready!"

Pit stop by Dublin, and then off to mom's house -- which is what I miss most. Living above Atlanta all my life, I was lucky to visit with my mom once a month, but during deer season it was as often as I could.

She'd always have something for me when I got there... Something that tops everything previously mentioned. A hug. :)

Living here now, I'm lucky enough to see her everyday, and I get a hug everyday, but it lacks that enthusiam like before. You know what I mean... One of those "HEY, how you been?" type hugs, and then my second favorite thing, which now I'm spoilt on... "south Georgia tea"... You can't get city water to make tea like down here... :D

Anyhow, I'll stop rambling now. Just this cooler weather with deer season barking at me has got me to lookin' back... :)

[Hawg]

I agree Delton, Owning land is great, but there isnt nothing like the hunting camp. :)

[Muygrande]

.................And then having it leased right out from under you after you've invested thousands of dollars in cash and sweat equity in the place!!!! :mad:
I'm still not over that deal am I??? ::huh: Maybe I need counselling?? :banginghe

Delton don't miss it just make your place an oasis!! By the way I'm researching the camera I'll let you know!

[Timberman]

Owning land is great, but there isnt nothing like the hunting camp.

Hunt camp comraderie is something that adds immeasurably to the hunting experience. But having a hunt camp on your own land is really special. There's nothing like pulling into camp and meeting up with your hunting friends and it being on land you own as well...I wouldn't trade it for twice or thrice as much land and it leased. :) It is nice to know that as long as you can pay the property taxes, it will be yours to hunt and enjoy. It is a feeling that is hard to beat...just ask Early Riser. :)

I am fixing to build my home on a farm that I own...so where I used to drive an hour to hunt, soon I'll just walk out the door. The thing I think I'll enjoy the most is being able to get the "quick" hunts in and being able to take my children on short hunts at a moments notice or after school. Maybe the novelty and anticipation will be different with that piece of property, but I will still have places where I have to travel to hunt...so I guess maybe I'll have the best of both worlds. :)

Here's some good Butts County hunt camp comraderie... :)

http://www.hunt101.com/img/062303.jpg

[Outlaw Dawgsey Wales]

When we leased land in Taylor and Upson Counties.They quit hunting and my son's overbearing wife fusses everytime he goes with me...

[HT2]

I COULDN'T AGREE MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Man, I love to hunt....

But, just being down there with all of your friends.......Huntin'......Eatin' good........And, just hangin' out.......I LIKE'S IT!!!!!!!! :clap: :clap:

[Son]

Maybe I go back a little further than most, but here's what I miss the most about my hunting. I miss the South Florida Everglades of old, during the forties and fifties. When a trip from the hardroad in Collier or Lee counties could take as many as two days to get to a pine/palmetto high spot surrounded with bald cypress and swamp cabbage hammocks. Where game was scarce, but adventure great. Wild orchards and airplants on most every limb. Sabal palm hammocks with ancient Indian wells, mounds and reminents of old cowhouses here and there. An ocassional Seminole passing through, hunting with a single shot 22. The excitement of camping in a place where you only heard sounds of nature, camp talk, past hunting stories and the crackling of a lightard fire. The old coleman stove and lanterns, open fire, the smell of coffee and sounds from a frying pan. 6-12 insect repellant, skeeter nets over cots, swamp buggies and jeeps with big tires. The old Brownie 620 camera's that recorded each success, the camps, vehicles and hunters. I really miss those old timers who have gone on, and still relay some of their stories to anyone that will listen.

[How2fish]

Man I remember heading down I-20 many a Friday afternoon b4 opening day. Just one more truck in the "Camo Convoy" heading to camp. I've been blessed....good friends,times and the land......lord thank you I do love it so!! Good Luck to all the board members this season!

[Handgunner]

Son. I'm listening. :)

[Carp]

Son, I'm with Delton. I'll listen to a good story anytime!