Secret Places
Over the years I’ve had the distinct pleasure of being able to hunt with good friends. Most of those experiences have been very enjoyable, and helped cement the bond between us. However there has been a few surprises along the way.
One such incident stands out in my mind as far as “living and learning” goes. I once took a childhood buddy to my “secret” duck hunting pond. We had a blast and bagged quite an array of ducks that day. Well a few days later I returned (alone) to my “secret” duck hunting blind; only to find “my buddy”, and a friend of his, with a stupid grin on their faces. I wasn’t to happy about the betrayal, and let my friend know that he broke a sacred trust. It took me awhile to get over it, but I’m a forgiving person by nature. About two years later I took this same friend rabbit hunting with me and my dad. My dad was a milkman at the time, and he had permission to hunt several of his customers properties. I could hardly believe my eye’s a week later when my dad and I got to the end of the stubble field. There standing (shotguns in hand) was my “ole buddy” and his pal with sheepish grins on their traitorous faces.
Well there’s and old saying goes something like this “Do me once and its your fault-do me twice and its my fault.” Needless to say I never ever took that “friend” hunting again. You live and learn from these, and other, experiences you have in the field. Not to say I never got “burnt” again, but I was more cautious about who I took to my “secret places.”
Mike