There is something that connects all of us hunters and fisherman, it is the stories we tell.  It doesn’t matter who it is or what species they are talking about, we always stop and listen.

      The other day, I went on a duck boat adventure.  I have it in my mind that we need a new bigger boat this year to duck hunt from.  I thought I had found the new hunting vessel that I so desired.  I drove about 1/2 hour away on my lunch hour the other night to check out this new possibility, but upon arrival I found that it wasn’t to be.  But the guy who was selling it started talking hunting and fishing to me.  Although I didn’t buy the boat, we struck up a conversation that lasted over an hour.  I was late getting back to work, but we swapped hunting and fishing stories, and for that hour it was as if I was back in the woods. 

     Then last night, I was at my monthly NWTF meeting and since it was the first meeting after the ending of our turkey season, we swapped stories there also.  You could see everyones eyes get big and then smile or laugh as each person told their tale of chasing the mighty thunder chickens! 

     There is just something special that we can all understand about someone telling their wild adventure in the woods or on the water.  It takes us to that special time and place we all hold so dear.  As someone tells their story, it is as if we are almost there sitting in the blind with them just as they are about to take that shot.  If it is a miss we can all feel the anxiety and then the feel of frustration as they tell us about the deer running away after the shot.  Maybe it is because we have all been there before, not that exact time and place, but one just like it.  Or maybe it is just because we enjoy hearing a young hunter tell their story for the 1000th time with the same enthusiasm as the first.  That is a commonality we all share.  It isn’t always about the harvesting of the animal, but the story that goes along with it, the hardships, work, struggles, and effort that got us to that point.

     So after hearing two days of hunting stories, I’m going to throw another log on the campfire, who wants to tell me their hunting adventure from this year.  I would love to hear another story, I’ve got all night!