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Outdoor Adventure
The refreshing air of the great outdoors is invigorating to me. The trees, the ground, the water, the sky—are all wondrous displays of our creator God. Feeling the warmth of the sun and the chill of the air at the same time is a wonderful combination that I love. Walking on the raw earth beneath me and pushing past the limbs of trees as I venture through the woods is an experience with nature that awakens my senses and sharpens my focus.
One of my favorite winter traditions is to enjoy an outdoor adventure on the land that has been in our family for hundreds of years. The Dyess family, to which I belong, has owned the land in the rural part of southeast Mississippi since the state was added to the Union, at which time the land was deeded by the federal government. The Dyess family has always had someone living on the property and to this day, my 94-year-old great aunt still lives at the homestead.
My parents own 40 acres of the land on the river that is primarily used for hunting. For generations, the land has offered a source of food for those willing to brave the wilds. Deer meat is used for chili, roast and other dishes. Squirrel and quail also find their way to the tables of some folk. Bass and Brim are fish from the Buckatunna River that everyone enjoys.
The tradition of hunting wild game starts early in our family. Boys and girls alike are trained how to aim properly and shoot at targets. Still targets like soda cans propped on logs are provided as a practice range, before moving targets are attempted. While hunting is a serious exercise, target shooting are times of fun recreation. Still, proper gun safety and respect for the environment are passed from one generation to the other.
On this trip, my dad pointed out the deer tracks on the ground for the kids to see. He pointed out the different kinds of trees like the pine, the oak and the magnolia. He also taught the children the proper way to carry the guns while walking through woods (pointing upwards) and how to use the safety features on the guns after loading the shells. The kids practiced with rifles and with shotguns and learned the features and purpose for each.
There was no one else on the private property that day, so the kids didn’t have to learn the hunting courtesy that hunters show to each other and they didn’t have to wear any special clothing, other than their favorite camouflage.
The kids got excited when they hit the targets! And just in case you’re wondering… yes, I hit the target several times too!! I’m not such a bad shot after all!
My mom is a prim and proper Southern Belle, but even she got her hunting license this year! It’s a tradition we all enjoy!
If you’ve never tried it, I encourage you to see what it’s like for yourself. And if you don’t have anywhere to go, consider joining a hunting club where everyone can be included in the adventure. You can check your state's requirements for wildlife and hunting seasons on your state's official website.
Copyright © 2008-2015 Debbie Reynolds Harper
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