New Jack Hunter

Hmm, I needed to think about this one. Here’s how my season went. Being part of the “Orange- Army” it’s not always easy. My season always starts out one week before opening “Rifle” day. First it’s a 6-½ hour ride from the Big City to Cattaraugus County, Can’t Beat the beautiful country up there. Always like to get up there before hand, to do some scouting and a little bow hunting. This year was different, before the season began I was experiencing terrible foot pain if I turned my foot a certain way (haha I know, don’t turn your foot that way) well I didn’t. Being stubborn and thick headed, us Irish are known for this. Nothing was going to stop my season. Dealt with the pain, which was even worse going up and down the hills on uneven terrain, just tied my boots tighter, kept telling myself, pain is temporary pride is forever. Besides this was nothing, compared to what I have inflicted on my body through the years. So anyway, this year was going be different, all the same people were going to be up at “deer camp” friends that I have met while up there, some I haven’t seen since last year many from out of state, always a good time. And a new member to this “our little boys club”, a “new hunter” first timer, the ink on his hunter safety course certificate was still wet. He was so excited to be going hunting. I decided that it didn’t matter whether I shot a deer or not. I was going to teach him what little I know about hunting, but all I knew about proper hunting adequate. Like to be in your tree stand a 1-hour or more before sunrise, and always help drag a deer out of the woods, especially for the older members. And my biggest pet peeve, pick your damn feet up when you walk, can’t believe how many adults still drag there feet as they walk, among others. So, this year I ate “Tag-Soup” most everyone in our hunting party was successful, including our new hunter, with a doe. Who by the way has the hunting itch, or as I like to say, he’s now converted and is addicted. So I wont look at it as a bad season, even though I didn’t take a deer, had several chances, twice during bow, and twice during rifle, but passed. Ill always have the memories knowing that I was able to introduce a new hunter to this tradition of ours, and the scars that I’ll have, found out after the wife hounded me to go to the Dr’s that I ruptured 2 tendons in my foot, heard that surgery real fun, 8 weeks in a cast and about 6-9 months before I’m back to normal. Ha, that’s debatable “normal”.

Sorry my friend, tag has already been taken, mailed it the other day.

Anyone looking for a 9-J tag let me know, up for grabs. I will mail it to you.

Here’s my take on your situation, as the saying goes, blood is thicker then water, and friends come and go but, family will always be there. Without FAMILY we have nothing. It’s safe to assume that he’s the same man that has taught you to hunt, fish and how to be a man. Seems like he’s done a good job with that. Otherwise you wouldn’t be here with your “moral dilemma”. I know for myself that my father had his own faults and beliefs, many of these which I don’t agree with, but it doesn’t matter because no matter what they are, it always comes down to the fact he’s just my “DAD” good bad or indifferent, still dad. I know as a parent myself and anyone on here that’s a parent would do anything to protect their children up too and including dying for their kids. Which is the same way that your father feels about you. So, I say yeah he gets a pass. You may not like it, you can say something to him about, or not, either way he’s still family, and most importantly he’s your “dad”. No matter what people on here say, or what advice they offer you. Just remember. He’ll always just be dad.