My Dream Season Hunting

(In memory of Thomas Alsie Kendrick)

I was asked recently what would be my “Dream Season?” To hunt anything, anywhere, with anyone who was famous?

I had a great season lined up to hunt/film in Illinois, Alabama, Mississippi, and TN the year this question was presented to me.

Some would call that a dream season, here lately it seems more like work as I take care of business and am recovering from cancer and a bloodclott.

However, If I could have a DREAM SEASON? What would it be?

It would be this:

My deceased father hunting with me again, walking the deep hollows in North Louisiana.

He and I sitting on top of a high ridge, squatting there, talking about life and the woods, how the hills were created, as the brisk January air burns our cheeks.

Maybe going back to the hogback ridge where we had a fire ring of stones, and used to sit and warm our hands over a small fire at mid-day and drink some coffee. The smell of burning oak drifting on the breeze.

Hunting the swamp edges for squirrels, me picking on him because I killed one more squirrel than he did!

One last trip to Colorado, walking the mountains in vain for deer, but enjoying the vista view of some of GODS greatest creations.

Just to sit around a camp fire and hear him clanging pots on my granddads old Coleman stove, cooking supper as his cackling laughter drowns out my Uncles gravelly voice. Laughing at the same jokes my Uncle has told over and over for years!

To be able to look him in the eyes once again and tell him one more time, thanks for teaching me to hunt and fish, and carrying me with him since I could walk, teaching me a love, respect, and appreciation for the great outdoors.

Putting my arm on his shoulder, my hand on his back, walking down some shaded trail through the woods, headed home. Deciding what excuse we would tell my Mom as to why we are once again late getting home. As if she did not already know!

To just look into his eyes one more time and tell him how proud I am to be his son and how much I love him.

THAT would be my DREAM SEASON!

Wayne Kendrick