Someone once asked me if I looked forward to hunting season beginning and ending. I replied that the day that I failed to be excited about the opening of our hunting season was the day that I would retire. Likewise, the day I failed to look forward to it not ending was the day that I should be committed to a mental institution! We have only four more days of the 2022-2023 hunting season remaining, and it has been an outstanding season! The guides, dogs, and guests have been FANTASTIC.
The last two weeks in October and the first week in November were slower than usual for us. I believe that many guests were awaiting the outcome of the election before pulling the trigger. However, the last half of the season was like gangbusters. Cader IV actually opened up an additional week in March to handle pent-up demand for reservations since the last half of the season was sold out.
February was unusually warm while March has been abnormally cold. When the cold March hit us, the guides and dogs were grinning like mules eating briars since they were SO VERY ready for cold weather. Everyone got a little hitch in their giddy up with the cold weather. Our cover held up great all season, and the quail prevailed over the hunters by a narrow margin according to our stat sheets.
We are harrowing in our fire breaks now and will begin a controlled burning of our woods in the latter part of next week. This is my favorite time of the year because it signals new birth and growth in our woods. I love to watch the fire ease through our undergrowth, and in a few weeks, everything will be green. I have not been around much this season as it’s past time for another generation of leaders to assume the reins. However, my heart will always be with this land!
In closing, please allow me to share a few thoughts from my weirdly wired brain:
- Evening news is where they begin with “Good evening”, and then proceed to tell you why it isn’t.
- I used to have a handle on life, but then it broke.
- The original point-and-click interface was a Smith&Wesson.
- Can you cry underwater?
- Giving money and power to the government is like giving whiskey and the car keys to teenage boys.
It has been a GREAT season thanks to our loyal guests. We hope that you have a blessed spring!