doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com A birdhunter's prayer

Lighting out very early tomorrow morning, placing myself and my meager belongings into the hands and tender-mercies of our modern air-transport system. I always seem to experience several moments of dread before setting out on one of these little adventures anymore (especially when I consider all of the variables). I'm sure of so-few things these days (including myself to a degree). Must be an ageing thing, eh? A good hunting trip depends on so-many things going right that I never used to even think about. I do hope the Great Spirit smiles on me (and mine) yet again.

The problem with air travel arises when you go to some out of the way tiny airport in small piston-driven plane that shakes like jello. On large jet liner I simply lie down in my little cubicle and sleep through a long trip. Don't worry you will be fine.

Have a safe trip up, Lloyd. I can bring the Nitro Special for you as a backup, if'n you are worried about the Richards going on vacation, at the hands of the airline, while you go on a different vacation.
Same gauge, anyway.

See you, soon.

Best,
Ted

Since it is the Lord's day, I'll share that by the mid-90s I'd killed (most) of the wild quail I cared to kill, and mostly took friends and med students to do the shooting. Still enjoyed Kansas and S. Dakota pheasant hunting however.
I started praying before each hunt (hey it was over MY setters and I WAS carrying )
Thanking God for the chance to be in His creation.
Thanking God for the great joy the dogs give me.
Praying for the dog's protection, and a safe hunt.
Praying that we would honor the game we sought.
And in all things may He be glorified.

The simple prayer completely changed the atmosphere - the blood lust was replaced by an enthusiastic hope of a good hunt. Even the Benelli SBE toting heathens

Then there is this; Will Rogers has a similar saying but not quite it
"Lord let me be the man my dog thinks I am, and the man my dog deserves."

A Novena in honor of St. Hubert, patron saint of hunters, for Oct. 26 to Nov. 3, for the non-Baptists amongst us

By the intercession of St. Hubert, patron saint of hunters, may you always honor God the Creator, who set man in dominion over all the animals.
May the Lord God make you an honorable hunter who respects fellow hunters, the animals, and all creation;
May He keep safe you and all who share the field or the forest;
May He make all hunters proud of their kill, generous with their meat, and thankful in all circumstances.
May God bless you: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Doc Drew

As a Baptist, I agree with the above theology about asking God's blessing on us and our proper use of His creation


P.S. headed to Juarez in one week, please be in prayer for our mission team

www.casasporcristo.org

Mike

Thank you all for the kind words. Dr. Drew has given me much to ponder. For the past several years now, when I have killed a larger animal (mostly elk), I stop to contemplate my great good fortune and to give thanks, even apologising to the animal for taking it's life and promising to use it to nourish my family. I then thank the Lord for the bounty. When I take a noble bird (such as a grouse), I try to take the time do the same as well. This seems much easier to do when alone for some reason.

So easy to take a comment in the wrong spirit Lloyd, it's not intended that way. I don't mind your thought process, and appreciate it. For me respecting the game in truth might come down to a fair bit of cussing under my breath, but I'll help someone else lug their's out of sometimes nasty spots. Nothing beats an ice cold beer when I'm whipped, but a tough day feels like it's well done. It can be exhausting work getting back to the truck after some bird hunts. Then, a good bit of my game gets given away, because I can't make use of it all, particularly on trips. Still, it's fun and rewarding.

Well.....I made it, my guns too. As wonderful up here as always, thankfully. Praise God and pass the ammo!

Lloyd,
I have Eley "VIP" 16 gauge 2 1/2" loads that will make the commute. 6 boxes, I suppose.

What size shot do you like? I think your choices are English 5,6 and 7, but, I have more of the two former.

LMK.

Best,
Ted