Yesterday was the first official day of Fall and also National Hunting and Fishing day in America. So, it got me thinking..... I LOVE fall!! Every year, I dread the beginning of summer and somehow just try and survive until September rolls around. Well, it's finally here and it's great! I become an completely new person in the Fall and I thrive! So, what makes this time of year so great??....... Just being a MAN! So.... every day for the next 7 days, I am going to post my top 7 reasons why I'm glad that I am a man. No dis-respect to you ladies, some of them will be unisex and some will not. Some of them will be directly related to fall but some will not as well. So, here goes:
1. HUNTING SEASON(S)
As archery hunters, we get a little bonus of getting the season started off early in August and sets the tone for the rest of the year. It's barely fall and we already have an entire season under our belt. (just wish I had another tag this year, but I don't) BUT.... Every year for as long as I can remember, my Dad has taken us on a rabbit hunt the day after Thanksgiving. We started out going to Park Valley when we lived up north and then when my sister married Dak, we began going to Loa. This has been one of the longest standing traditions in our family that I'm proud to say, still lives on today even though my Dad is no longer with us. In fact, weeks before he died, just he and I went over to Loa for the day. He slayed em' with his winchester 12 ga. auto that day. I will never forget that day! Although, we are unable to still go the day after Thanksgiving these days, we still make an effort to go sometime in October or November and it is called
The Mark J. Hadley Memorial Rabbit Hunt. It will take place the first weekend of November this year and I wouldn't miss it for the world.
In year's past, we have also done a little deer and elk hunting over there. When I was living and going to school in New York City, I came home one time (and I didn't even go home) My Brother-in-law Ryan picked me up right from the airport and we headed for Wayne County. My dad had drawn a coveted Fish Lake Bull Elk tag. After the hunt, I went straight back to the airport, flew back to New York and was in class the next day.
I also grew up bird hunting. I can't ever remember not going out on opening morning of the pheasant hunt with my dad and brother until we got a little older. Since then, we have duck and dove hunted a little here and there as well.
Hunting season is much more than the hunt. It is a chance to get out in the hills with the people you love most and get away from it all. I am so glad my Dad took the time to hunt with us and share his passion with us. We never got to know our grandpa but I feel like that is one thing he was able to pass on to us through our dad.
Stay tuned for numbers 2-7
I really liked this post. It totally got me pumped for the upcoming months. I too am grateful for my hunting heritage. I miss having your Dad on these adventures. But, you know he kicks a few of those rabbits out for us each year.
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