Fifty years

[Sam McMichael]

Nope, I'm not 50 years old. (I would love to go back to 50!). Last Saturday was opening day of deer season in Georgia and marked the 50th consecutive opening day hunt for me. I count from the opening of gun season, because in my younger years I did not bow hunt at all. However, this is the 17th year that I have hunted exclusively with the bow. Man how the years go by, and WOW what memories!

It was a really great weekend. I camped out on our property in back of my son's house. My son brought "little Boy", as I call him, to see Grandpa's camp. Sam III, his real name, had a blast, but you really have to watch a 22 month old toddler closely in camp. Everything is either hot or sharp. Maybe next year he can spend the night in camp. I really look forward to him reaching that stage.


The chili was exquisite and got rave reviews from my daughter-in-law, who is a most excellent cook, herself. Plus, I finally made two perfect batches of biscuits in the Dutch Oven. Baking is not my strong point.

The hunt did not produce a bloody arrow. I was hunting a ground brush blind that is new this year, and two deer came in exactly where I reckoned they would. The fly in the ointment was that they came by while it was still too dark to shoot. Nonetheless, the weather was great, and it was a beautiful morning. But the really funny thing is that Saturday night, after I went to bed, a deer came into camp, right up to my tent. I guess she was just checking me out.

Please excuse such a rambling post with no real action, but this was really a monumental time in my life as a hunter. I hope God gives me a few more such events. Good luck to everybody!

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Sam,

It sounds like practically perfect hunt!

Congrats on a great Family, wonderful Tardition and conquering the Dutch oven Bisquits and the Chili.  That alone would make you welcome in my camp    

Thanks for sharing your weekend.

[Joeabowhunter]

Sounds like a fantastic hunt!!!  

[Izzy]

Sounds very epic, congrats on your 50th and your grandson.

That is awesome, Sam! I hope I get to experience a 50th opening day someday too!

Sounds likw a great hunt too!

Bisch

[John146]

May you have many more opening mornings in the woods Sam!!!

[Jerry Russell]

A great story. Thank you for sharing it. We were right down the road from you in deer camp- Forsyth, Georgia.

[Sam McMichael]

Hey Jerry, what part of the county are you in? Are you near the Ocmulgee River?

[Wannabe1]

And may you have plenty more!  

[Sam McMichael]

Thanks, guys.

[Jerry Russell]

Originally posted by Sam McMichael:
Hey Jerry, what part of the county are you in? Are you near the Ocmulgee River?

We are on Hwy 18 just off of the interstate and East of Forsyth. Y'all come by and see us some time. We have a trad only camp of some great folks.

[rick7]

awesome

[VictoryHunter]

Very cool! I hope to have that many openers under my belt some day.

[Pat B.]

Sounds like a perfect hunt !

Happy times..

[old_goat2]

That's awesome, I'll never catch up, too many years in the service I didn't get to hunt, even now I don't always go opening day, but I'm usually up there opening week at some point!

[longbow fanatic 1]

I only hope I have 50 years of great hunting in my life. Congrats on that wonderful milestone!

[Thumper Dunker]

Really cool stuff.

[dirtguy]

       

[LITTLEBIGMAN]

may you have many  many more opening days!

[GreyGoose]

Congratulations.  It sounds like a great day no matter how it was numbered.