BigDog Speaks

The last minute rush begins. Folks will be going crazy, shoving and kicking, trying to get those last minute buys done before Christmas. I ventured out to Wally world today and it wasn't too bad yet. I was there early and grabbed some ammo and a rifle sling then beat feet out of there.

[More:]

My last minute plans involve a hunt on Christmas Eve morning and a concentrated effort NOT to venture near any more stores until AFTER Christmas. I figure I am better off taking my chances with crazed hunters than last minute shoppers. Those of you who hunt where there really is some game animals, probably don't realize how lucky you are. Florida DOES have game, we call them Casinos. The four legged kind on the other hand, are a tough find. This doesn't mean nobody gets anything, it just means that a few folks get lucky and the rest just walk a lot. At this point in the season, the tote board SHOULD show around 300 hogs taken where I go to hunt. The last time I was out, they hadn't broke 100 yet. Yes, a sad state of affairs, too few hogs, too many hunters. My hunting partner and I had a considerable discussion on this topic while considering the old ways. They went hunting and their diet revolved around what they brought home. If that were the case today, I'd be skin and bones as opposed to my rotund self. I am thankful I don't have to rely on the game I shoot as an exclusive source of food. I'm sure I would get real tired of squirrel as a steady diet. Yes, I can shoot squirrels on a regular basis, to the point that I quit hunting them. In a span of MANY years, I have only seen a couple of rabbits out there, coons a bit more regular and of course that icon of Florida wildlife, the armadillo. I have an aversion to eating anything that resembles a giant rolly-polly bug, so I don't mess with the armadillos. I have heard they are good as BBQ and even used in chili. No thanks, I'll pass. Possums are just not food of choice and the only place I see them is around my house, I have never seen one in the swamp. I guess it is a good thing I just really enjoy my walks in the swamp since as a hunter, I am not much account. You would think, with all those facts laid out, I'd just quit going, right? Not a chance. I have an absolute ball out there and there is ALWAYS, the possibility of a shot. Yes, the crazies are winding up for the shopping blitz and I am winding down for a little R&R in the swamp. What are YOU doing?