The Pinnebog Shoreline

It was late spring and it was unusually warm.  my dad had taken my brother and me to go fishing for the day.  as we rode in the truck up to the river, my brother and I fought and argued.  This was normal for us when were were younger.  I was about 14 for this trip.  We finally made it to where the river was and we started to unload our gear.  That old, red Chevy truck had always got us to our destination.  

We started to head out on this old trail down to the river.  The trail was covered in leaves from the previous fall and old sticks blocking the path.  We walked for what felt like hours, when I finally saw the shoreline.  We had made it.  I set down my pole and bucket to look for a stick.  We always used sticks in the shape of a Y to hold our poles.  This made it easier for us to tell when the fish were biting.  After I found my stick I started to set up my spot.  I got by bucket for my seat and baited my hook.  It was a beautiful sunny day and I began to fall asleep.  All of a sudden my dad had hooked a monster.  We had been catching sucker fish all day long and my dad was on a roll.  He finally got this fish in and I couldn't believe how big it was.  We quickly filled a bucket and put the monster in there, but he didn't fit.  My brother quickly ran to the truck to get the fishing string to keep him in the water.  While we were waiting the fish started to flop around splashing water out of the bucket.  Then he jumped out.  I ran over to try and catch it and somehow managed to keep him in my hands.  I could not believe I had managed to save this fish.  When my brother returned we told him the unbelievable story.  

Fishing was always something fun and relaxing I would do with my dad.  I always enjoy going out and enjoying the scenery.  The peacefulness is enjoyable but its always nice to throw in a little excitement.  I never would have imagined how that day would have turned out, but I wouldn't change it.  The memories I was able to make with stay with me forever.

     It's 6:30 in the morning and I receive a phone call from my dad.  I had had plans to go to Lansing that morning but the snow storm had changed my plans. I was sleeping in bed when he called me to see if I wanted to go rabbit hunting with him. It was the first time he had asked me to go and I was excited. I got ready and found my camo and rushed out the door on my way over to his house. The roads were drifted over and the snow looked like that from a snow globe. Once I got there we took the quad and went back the trail to look for rabbits. It didn't take long before I took my first shot. I was so excited when I saw I had gotten my first rabbit. 

     As the day continued we went all around the 40 acres behind my parents. I had once incident where my hair got stuck in a tree and I couldn't move. My dad just laughed and left me there.

We got a total of nine rabbits and I was able to out shoot my dad. I'm not sure if he let me or if he was just shooting that bad that day. I will never forget walking the trails and hunting with my dad and the rabbit stew that came with it. 

Rummy and the Deer Blind

     It had been 10 years since I last shot a deer.  I had gone out multiple times over those 10 years but never took a shot.  My dad and I would go out and sit, play rummy, or watch movies. If anything it was good father-daughter bonding time. 
     This last November was different. I had gone out earlier that week with my dad's crossbow but all I got was rained on. The next time I would go out would be different.   My dad had called me the night before to tell me he had seen a really nice buck go into the woods. The next afternoon we went out to the hunting shack. 

     It started out like every other time. We sat there playing rummy while I kept score on my phone. We were playing for about 15 minutes when we happened to look up. There he was. My hands started to shake as I reached for the bow. I took the safety off and took aim.  I squeezed  the trigger for the crossbow and all I hear is my dad telling me to watch the deer to see where he went. I was on such a rush.  As we sat there for what felt like an eternity I asked my dad if I made a good shot.  He laughed and told me the deer was dead.  We then went and found the deer in the brush. He was a monster eight point with a 16 inch spread.  It took me 10 years to shoot my second deer but he was well worth the wait. 

My First Deer

     There are something in life that you will never forget.  Whether it's the first car you get, or the first time you move out.  For me I will never forget the first time I shot a deer.  I was so excited that weekend of the youth hunt. 

      My dad was going to take me hunting and this time I was the one with the gun.  I had been hunting with him many times before and had gotten to experience the thrill of watching him get a deer, but this time it was my turn.  I always hated waking up early in the morning to get out there before the deer started to move but I knew my dad would let me sleep in the shack as soon as we got out there.  It was a Saturday in October and we had been out 3 times already and had yet to see a buck. 

      We sat in the shack for hours, sitting there playing cards and trying to name the birds in the trees next to us.  It started to get darker and darker and I was starting to lose hope of seeing a deer at all that night.  Then he was there.  Standing right in front of us and I froze.  I reached for the gun and found my mark but I couldn't pull the trigger.  I had a serious case of buck fever.  I can remember my dad telling me over and over to shoot.  After what seemed like an eternity I finally squeezed the trigger.  I watched and the deer ran into the corn and fell down.  I looked to my dad and he was shaking more than I was.  I finally got my buck.  We waited in the tree stand and called my mom to tell her the news.  Finally we went to go see my deer.  I was so proud at that moment.  Nothing in my life had made me happier than that moment.  We took the deer up to the garage and measured it.  I had shot an 8 point with a 15 1/2 inch spread for my first deer.  I couldn't believe it.  My dad wanted to drive around and show it off and I was all for it.  

     I will never forget my first hunt.  It will be a memory of my dad and I that I will be able to cherish forever.

A Family Tradition

     Hunting and fishing has always been an important part of my life. Ever since I can remember I have been doing things outside with my dad. He taught me how to bait a hook and gut a deer. It has played a huge role in my life and has helped me become the person I am today.

     Growing up with a passion of being outdoors has made me appreciate all the little things that nature has to offer. It's truly amazing how beautiful nature really is. Being able to sit in a tree stand and seeing the wind blow the leaves or hearing pheasants in the field behind you is something you won't find anywhere else. Being able to watch the sunset and enjoy the first snow fall. He taught me how to track and what to look for when searching for your kill.

     My dad is a member of the Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA). Their main goal is to help produce mature bucks to hunt. Letting the smaller deer grow so that the next year he can be a nice shooter. Hunting with him helped to teach me patience and to not just shoot the first thing you see. It taught me that waiting for the right deer is all that more fun. Taking your time to actually invest in what you want out of the hunt instead of a quick reward.

     Hunting and being outdoors is more than that a hobby, it's a way of life. I wouldn't want to have it any other way. I have learned how to live off the land in a way and use what I hunt to help make a living for me by providing food for myself. It is something that I will want to teach my children and have them learn how to provide for themselves. Its a family tradition that I hope to pass on to my kids and possible grand kids.