When Misty was growing up on the farm, that was a regular phrase. Only in the last few years have people been telling us that it’s now associated with Game of Thrones; we still haven’t watched a single episode. I’m not sure what to believe in the age of revisionist history and relative truth but it does seem like the Earth is getting warmer.

Last year we didn’t really have a fall. It was summer until the day every leaf went on strike simultaneously and the temperature dropped 65 degrees. But winter wasn’t all that cold, just rain making mud in the cool temps.

Fall has been a blessing this year. But, the darker, colder season of winter brings pain and depression. Better diet, exercise, and proper preventative mental / spiritual maintenance will give me the edge I need to stay active and keep pushing.

As I sit just inside the threshold of my rear garage door with rifle in lap and computer to the side, I wait for the deer that have ghosted me during archery season. Admittedly, I’m a lazy hunter, as you can tell by the fact that I’m writing this blog and waiting for deer simultaneously.

The rye and clover I planted for them is still green and I plan to enhance the area in the coming years. This is not a priority though; these extra-curricular activities have been difficult to balance. When should I be viewing exercise as a nonnegotiable? It’s been sidelined on hunting days so that I can still get other tasks accomplished.

Last year was the first year I hunted deer. I went once; in under two hours I killed a doe. It set unrealistic expectations. Today is the opening of rifle season in PA and I’ve heard shots all day, seen smiling faces on social media posing with post mortem Odocoileus Virginianus. Another rifle report echoes in the distance.

It’s the final hour of legal shooting. If I don’t get a deer I’ll have to drive to the store and buy Ritter some chicken to eat. I would much prefer to feed him some venison fresh from the field. The kids have been asking me to make jerky again…

While more than a week has passed since I penned the previous paragraphs, I’ve been busy with my squad. I’ve hunted another property, got both my boys out hunting, and managed to take a doe. That doe has already become a stew, a roast, jerky, been fried with eggs, and vacuum sealed for later. Ritter is getting his fair share of venison and loving it.

On the final day of PA rifle season, my son was desperate for one last chance. Despite being Saturday, Canaan wanted to get up early. We got setup and very shortly after sunrise the deer appeared! He raised the rifle and sighted in but as he was going to pull the trigger, the deer bolted. Our confusion was resolved when a fox came running through the woods after them. Thinking the hunt was spoiled, we whispered about our next move.

Before we came to a decision, the deer had returned! Hallelujah, a second chance! Again he sighted in, went through his breathing cycle, and pressed the trigger rearward. The deer jumped and ran. I was worried that he had missed. I explained the need to wait before we checked it out.

With minimal tracking, he found his first deer 50yds from where he shot her. We thanked God for the life of the animal and brought it out of the woods.

In an effort to build bonds, traditions, and not wanting to punish a 13 and 11 year old with a .30-06, I purchased a “family deer rifle.” A Savage Axis in .243Win on which I mounted a Vortex Viper scope that was my uncle’s.

I’m doing my best to be a better father. There were terrible years that no one should’ve been around me but I’m learning how to meet each child where they are and help them get to where they want to be. It takes dedication and sacrifice to be a dad.

Bring on winter, I’ll just make the kids hot chocolate and hold them close.

Over.

“Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him. Children born to a young man are like arrows in a warrior’s hands. How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them!” Psalm 127:3-5

Drew OUT!