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There’s lots of excitement around the Flat Rock Community, the weather is cooling off, harvest is moving along, Auburn won again (they are undefeated), Alabama won, and it’s huntin’ season.
My daddy, C.C., has had lots of area school kids out to the farm for their fall field trips. They love the cows, chickens, horses, deer, picking cotton, on and on; they enjoy so many things in just a few hours that we farm families take for granted. It is frightening just how many Lawrence County and North Alabama school kids, and even lots of their parents, have never even seen a farm animal or ever picked cotton. The parents are always excited for their kids’ opportunity to come to the farm and most parents really enjoy the experience themselves. Thanks Daddy, C.C., for all your effort and hard work as their farm host. “My pop” is only eighty-one and works a full day most days.
Now where was I at??? HUNTIN’ SEASON— As a rural southern farm boy from Flat Rock, Alabama, I cannot begin to realize how my life would be different without my guns and my memories brought about by the experiences of the hunt. Like I said, it’s fall and just the outdoor experience is something within itself. But, there is all the excitement around Flat Rock about huntin’ season and of course there are all the memories.
I can remember the first time I heard my daddy say, “Son, get your gun; we’re going squirrel huntin’.” The first gun (a daisy air rifle) and a couple bad experiences with it, I was so sad when I killed my first game, a Robin red breast, and how my mother talked me through the sadness of killing such a beautiful bird. Then there were some older neighborhood boys, my
B.B. gun and this old house with lots of window panes – this time my daddy took care of the situation, which remains another very strong memory until this day.
HUNTIN’ SEASON memories involve so many different things (elements). The game, squirrel, my first hunt, still huntin’ with my daddy, a single shot 410 shotgun on a rainy fall afternoon, “Son, you set here; I am going on down the creek just a short distance.” Lots of rabbit hunts, I do believe my daddy could spot a rabbit setting at fifty yards. One day we killed 10, I shot seven of them settin’ with our 22 rifle – what a huntin’ memory. Dove, not many hunts, shells were too expensive and we did not eat the dove meat. Quail, just me, Daddy and old Sally, what fun, we were in our element. We could walk for miles across any neighbor’s farm, back then you might get up 8-10 coveys in no time. There are also the deer, pheasant, and finally turkey, next maybe duck, hog, black bear and just maybe elk. My huntin’ memories could turn this story from an article into a book in no time.
Of course there are all THE PEOPLE, too many to name, like Daddy, Uncle
Leston, Heath, Dustin, Harry, all the Harville bunch, Mr. Lauderdale, Orland, Mr.
Tounce, Mike, man the names would never end just from my huntin’ experiences/memories.
Then there is THE CAMP, the types and situations, again the people, the big open fire, the storytelling around it, tents, campers, cabin, warm weather, bitter cold, rain, even the food all part of my huntin’ memories.
Then there is THE GUNS AND ALL THE DOGS. Everybody has a favorite rifle, shotgun or maybe today even a favorite bow. Again, the dogs are like the people, too many to name. My first was Bill, my deer dog; of course, the favorite had to be old Sally, the pointer; on and on, Gal, Rock, Queen, Red, Blackie, Sue, Mollie, Belle, Lady, Jake, Tig, to name just a few.
History is not just major events, but special memories of life’s daily time spent– Me 2002. Just like my and your huntin’ memories, I believe it is critical that we keep our guns and maintain our hunting times, pass them on to future generations and even share the memories.
GOD’S COUNTRY
THE SPORTSMAN’S THOUGHTS
I WENT TURKEY HUNTING ON A CRISP SPRING DAY.
I WAS IN GOD’S COUNTRY TODAY.
I WENT FISHING DOWN AT THE CREEK ON A WARM SUMMER DAY.
I WAS IN GOD’S COUNTRY TODAY.
I SHOT DOVES ON A CHANGING AUTUMN DAY.
I WAS IN GOD’S COUNTRY TODAY.
I WENT DEER HUNTING ON A COLD WINTER DAY.
I WAS IN GOD’S COUNTRY TODAY.
I RODE MY ATV THROUGH THE WOODS ON A COOL SPRING DAY.
I WAS IN GOD’S COUNTRY TODAY.
I CAMPED BY THE LAKE ON A BEAUTIFUL FALL DAY.
I WAS IN GOD’S COUNTRY TODAY.
I SURE ENJOYED MY TIME IN GOD’S COUNTRY TODAY! |
