It's September and for a lot of us that means shotguns, rifles and bows for the next several months. All too often I leave home for a hunt with all of the gear that I think I will need for a successful hunting trip. I carefully go through the checklist for gear that is necessary for a deer hunt, pheasant hunt etc. I often forget one key piece that can add a ton of pleasure to a hunt though...a fishing pole. The upland and big games seasons occur in the fall of the year for the most part, and that’s a particularly good time to fish. Most species will be gorging themselves with bait over the next few months in preparation for winter and then spring spawn, and the weather is starting to cool and fall color adds a special element to an already beautiful trout stream.

Last week Robin and I made a run to West Texas to hunt doves. We had an exceptional shoot, so good in fact that after the morning hunt each day my limit was in the ice chest. It’s 8:30am and I’m done for the day. Had I brought a rod and reel I could have enjoyed playing with the 3 to 5 pound bass in one of the ranch’s stock ponds, or dumped the boat into lake Alan Henry just down the road to search out the crappie bite. I had plenty of time.

Upland hunting is a different story, we hunt all day and there's no spare time. Montana is a good example. When we haul the dogs to Big Sky country, it’s usually for two weeks, but after 4-5 days of hunting, the dogs and we need a break. I’ve always stored the fly rods in the dog trailer for that trip, and for that 2 day break. Clean clear water and abundant trout are always close by in Montana. Two days in the middle of a two week bird chase is perfect. We hunt pheasants in South Dakota each fall. From my cabin, I can walk 30 yards down to Lake Oahe, a tremendous smallmouth/walleye fishery. There is usually a fish pretty close to your hunt, take advantage of that. A two piece rod that breaks down and fits behind the back seat of the pickup, and a small tackle container with just a few of the basics are great additions to your hunting gear.

Fondly,
Billy Kinder

September 17, 2015

If you go only to pull a trigger or set the hook, you have failed before even leaving the house.  A great number of hunting and fishing trips have been total failures based only on quarry success.  If anything less than the biggest or most bass on the trip, deer in the bed of the truck or ducks in the picture is your only goal...you’ve missed it.  Robin and I killed 7 doves opening morning.  They didn't fly well, and my shooting matched the weak bird attendance.  However, 14 dove filets ended up in the fridge marinating overnight.  They made great dove ka-bobs on the grill.  We took these birds while laughing and enjoying each other's company in the morning shade of an old live oak tree.  Robin's first few shots were all on the mark; she was laughing outloud.  She looked at me not once but twice and said...”Im so happy”...I ask you...how could this hunt with limited game in the bag not be called a booming success?

I like to spend all day in the deer blind, unless I am on the ground rattling deer, then I will move around more.  All day, and 99% of those days I never pull the trigger, but I am always overwhelmed with God’s creation and the things that He allows me to see, smell and hear.  Success.  The crappie bite has been very slow over the past month, but I’ve been there on the bow of the boat...all day long for a handful of fish.  Working on it, searching for them, thinking it through...fishing.  I have enjoyed every second of it too.  Success.

The friend laying in the hospital today won't know the joy of missing a shot at a mourning dove and getting laughed at by friends.  The soldier standing guard in a scary place today won't know the utter splendor of a deer hunt where no venison even shows up.  The family gathered around a freshly dug grave and weeping together today won't feel the excitement of the next cast, even though the last several hundred produced no fish.  If you are blessed enough to go to the woods or waters today, don’t forget that success is seated right next to you the entire trip.  Lord, help me always to appreciate and enjoy what You created for our enjoyment, provision and amazement, and to share it with my friend when he’s out of the hospital, home from the war, or having buried his dead.

Fondly,
Billy Kinder

September 11, 2015