There are two or three people I consider hunting partners and they are also my best friends. A good friend is the best hunting partner because even if you disagree about something it doesn't matter. Heck I won't mention any names but there is one feller (3ffarms) that I have never agreed on stand placement. I get over it and then slap his sandwich out of his hands and hope the bread seperares and it lands mayo side down in the dirt.
Holy smokes, I laughed out loud when I read this.
Story goes something like this....
Workday at the club and old Southwood has "something going on". Happens every year. There were three of us down there moving stands and what not and that pecker wood finally pulls up say, 10 or 10:30 after the other three of us had gotten down there at daylight and been slaving away in the August heat. He walks down to where we were putting a stand (he's the only one that didn't bow hunt at the time) and we've got it set about 30 yards off a food plot. Absolutely beautiful spot. White oaks, red oaks...heck seems there was even a persimmon tree or two. It had deer written all over it. So anyhow, ol Southwood eases on down there and just stands at the edge of the plot and hollers "I didn't know this was a bow only club!" Nothing like showing up at 10:30 and rubbing all the other guys the wrong way. Seems he "might" have mentioned to me about wanting to get 100 yards or so off the plot for a better rifle set to which I agreed with the night before. But I digress...
And the sandwich incident happened another time. I knew it was going to be a long day working at the club. Thought ahead, made some sandwiches for myself. All morning long I was thinking about those sandwiches. Everyone else was complaining about how hungry they were around 11 or so. I might have bragged...just a little...about how I couldn't wait to have one of those sandwiches I had premade in the ice chest. I took it out, unwrapped it and took a bite. Tasted like heaven. I might have even made a remark about how good it was. Next thing I know, Southwood slapped that sucker out of my hand like a dang bear and it bounced twice, separated and landed mayo side down in the road. Everyone else thought it was a lot funnier than I did.
So those two stories are what makes a good, nay, great hunting partner. Someone you can laugh with, spit with, talk about the hunt all during the week and genuinely get excited about going with. I'd honestly be more excited for any of my hunting partners to get a deer than I would. Those work days and fellowshipping are what I enjoy more than anything. I even like to be the camp cook when we all go. I just enjoy seeing everyone else have a good time. If I get a deer, great...but it's more about seeing others enjoying God's creation. I've killed enough, and I'll kill more, but I'm not near as serious about it as I've been in the past. Time spent together, smiles and laughter are more important now.
