THE LAST OF THE SEASON…

Jan 23

01/06/24

There’s something about coming home empty handed that would make one know that season was officially over. As my tires hit the last decent out of the game lands, the season has ended earlier than expected in Pennsyltucky. Through the gusts of winds and the pattern of blue skies, snow squalls then repeat the day was full of reflection with no push or pressure. All three dogs just doing their things, nose down on what might have been rabbit or deer scent, and nose up with a chance that the last hen would come out of the brush. As I walked the road in and out of the woods where I would hope something would be hunkered down and the one that got away, I cried like a baby on the way home as I texted the Huntin Dix crew a huge thank you for the support of this journey that I am on.

This has been the best year of hunting I ever had. My three dogs have come together and are able to run combos, singles, or all three will lock up at the same time. For me personally, I have pushed my own limits and just kept climbing, literally and figuratively. This year, I found my path and more importantly, “I found my people.” From HerUpland, to Huntin’ Dix, to all the random, wild ones I have made a connection with along the way; thank you. The support is unmeasurable. It’s a feeling that I can’t put into words. It’s like Trigger; you just feel it. I have been places that limited number of people have stood. I have been to campfires with strangers and left as friends. I’ve watched mule deer asses go up over a ridge line as the next dog went on point in the middle of the grasslands in South Dakota. My puppy’s first of everything: woodcock, grouse, wild pheasant, pigeon, quail, and chukar. This season, I have spent so much time by myself pondering life and forgiving myself, mainly; learning how to laugh in the middle of a corn field because you chose to take a piss as you hear a cackle from a 20 yard out rooster as your pants are down at your ankles; I know you all have been before. Testing my limits, fighting the anxiety that tells me that I am not good enough. Looking fear in the eyes and dancing it away on the back of tailgates.

I have three different state licenses in the hunting vest for many species. PA, NY and SD with dog training in NH. The pack and I hit NY twice. Pennsyltucky game lands were my go-to’s as sometimes time is limited but never wasted.

Side note: Laugh along with us about the memories from these trips on the Huntin Dix podcasts on your local Spotify, Castbox, or Apple. HUNTIN DIX PODCAST | Podcast on Spotify

The wind whipped, the dirt roads were muddy and snow covered, the temperatures have been frigid, but we haven’t let up yet. “Cam Hanes would be like so proud of us.” When grouse went out in PA, that next weekend we went over the border to NY for a winter camping trip. Bethany harvested her first grouse. We walked hills, we crossed streams, and ended the day at sunset with a six-shelled, featherless grouse that was retrieved by the one and only Boone dawg. One for one. Success. What a way to end 2023. With a quick trip to the dead-end road dive bar. We headed back to our two-truck campsite as ended the day with tired dogs, laughter around a winter campfire, and the silence of being in the middle of nowhere just ringing in through our ears, as the new year was brought in the right way and now the only way. New Year, New York.

So what’s next as seasons come to a close? Chukar challenges and regulated hunted grounds. Boot and shoots. Networking. Strength training and winter walks. Guiding opportunities and sport shows. Huntin’ Dix will be at the PA Outdoor Show in Harrisburg, PA on February 10th with their new friends from God’s Country Upland Preserve located in Potter Co., PA. More is always to come and looking forward to these winter months as we gear down in order to gear up as we wait for the spring seasons to come.