This morning over a cup of coffee I looked out at the temp that read 7 degrees and a thought came to mind – winter just might be here to stay.  Quite the revelation huh?  OK but more followed, the season was changing again much to my chagrin.  Most of us, including me and I’ll bet you too just kind of roll along with each day as it comes.  The past fall arrived with large amounts of anticipation much the same as the spring before had done.  In the outdoors we make plans to usher in each one.  A new season means a change of equipment.  Winters’ short ice rods exchanged for those longer, Ice Armor for sweatshirts ‘n fleece and eventually T-shirts ‘n shorts.  My Ranger boat comes out of the long winter storage looking forward to soft water again.  Then as months roll past and leaves begin to change a chill creeps into once humid warm morning air bringing memories of past falls, whistling waterfowl wings, the rush of a rooster flush, excited gun dogs and the early morning silence broken by a snapped twig or crunching leaf as a Whitetail slowly creeps along a familiar trail.

For more years than I care to elaborate I’ve looked forward to each with little thought to one ending and another beginning except on rare occasions.  These thoughts may come along in the early morning as darkness is pushed out by the sun, a quiet time alone in a familiar outdoor place or on a cold evening in front of the wood stove watching flames flicker feeling the warmth from the oak logs as they burn ushering in memories of seasons past.  I won’t bore you with too many personal stories but one is worth consideration because if you’re a parent or the child of a parent it may have a personal meaning either now or in the future.

A long time ago as my boys, Erik and Chad were born I looked forward to the time I’d be able to share my outdoor passions with them and, if they chose would teach them about it.  My entire life has been spent treasuring outdoor moments, learning outdoor rights and wrongs mostly from my father, appreciating and loving experiences shared with family and friends.  When the boys were still small infants I recall finding a magazine picture of a man and child silhouetted standing in the bow of a bass boat fishing.  I carried that random picture in my wallet for many years and recall often glancing at it because you see my goal was to someday be able to say that both Erik and Chad had been there next to me and I’m pleased to say that it became reality and more.  Each boy learned to fish and to hunt with me at their side and makes me proud to see the men they’ve become.  I’ll never forget Chad’s excited smile and fist pump as he realized we were going to win a bass tournament as a team.  But this year it’s really come full circle and I didn’t even see it coming.  For the last couple years I haven’t had much interest in deer hunting because both boys have been the primary reason for going at all.  Erik’s job now requires him to be working, it’s a busy time for him and Chad’s college responsibilities have prevented him from having time to hunt too.  However, this year Erik called asking if I wanted to hunt deer with him the second weekend.  He only had a few hours each morning but had permission to hunt private land with the invitation extended also to me.  So I accepted.  In the quiet damp morning darkness he pointed me to the stand I’d be hunting next explaining where he’d be.  It occurred to me while sipping a hot cup of coffee waiting for a hint of morning that I was now his guest in this circle of life in the outdoors.  I guess we’ve come a long way from that small black and white magazine picture with so many past seasons anticipated, arriving and ending giving way to the next.  Each seems to arrive, enjoyed then quietly pass by with little fanfare.

Now about that silhouetted photo?  I’ve given it to a good friend as his child was born hoping the experience of father and child growing into outdoor passions would bring him the priceless experiences I’ve had with both Erik and Chad.  I guess that’s what it’s supposed to be but honestly I’d never thought about the point in the circle it brings us back to---I’m at the beginning again!  But that’s what it’s supposed to happen isn’t it?  Mission accomplished!!!!!!!!!

Well gotta go get those short ice rods ready.  Another season’s almost here and I can’t wait!

Capt’n