Courtesy of Ambulance Driver, small group of us will be hunting in Texas later this week. Hog and Coyote hunting to be specific. This is a bit of an adventure for me since, although I’ve owned firearms for over 30 years, I’ve never hunted before. I have a lot of friends who have, but I’ve just never done it. To be clear, I have no philosophical objections to hunting. In fact, I’m looking forward to the experience since it’s so new to me. AD, on the other hand has been hunting since he was a yout. He’s experienced and from what I’ve seen pretty successful, whether using a rifle, shot gun, bow, or Dodge Dakota. Note folks, that’s the only joke I’m going to get in at his expense. Conversely, I expect that he will get several blog posts out of this experience, many of them at my expense.

My preparations have begun. First, the clothing. About which I sent any number of stupid questions to AD via email or text message. He patiently pointed me in the right direction (Bass Pro) and gave me some ideas of what to buy. He suggested either Real Tree or Woodland Camo for clothing, but did say that if I didn’t want to buy camo, I could just wear my darkest pair of “Action Adventure” pants, and a dark shirt.  After much more agonizing over this decision I decided on Woodland Camo for my ensemble. I found a pants and T shirts at Bass Pro for pretty reasonable prices, but for some reason they don’t have regular shirts in that pattern. Fortunately, a near by Army – Navy store did have Woodland shirts. I choose one of the proper size and purchased it. Imagine my surprise when I got hom and found out that the shirt is a slightly different mix of camouflage colors than the pants and T shirt. My first hunt and here I’ve committed a hunting fashion faux pas. I know that AD will get a chuckle and probably some pictures. MattG, this being the first time  we’ve actually met, will be more subtle about it. My best hope is that our visitor from London doesn’t notice, since I don’t know that he’s ever hunted before.  I just hope that the hogs and coyotes don’t notice the mismatch. Oh, and the boots are Real Tree, but I think that’s OK. Especially considering that they are really good boots are a really good price, courtesy of Bass Pro. So, at least in the clothing department, I am in good, although slightly mismatched shape.

I have my choice of rifles, and despite my love of the SMLE, I think I’m going to opt for one of AD’s Evil Black Rifles (EBR) for hunting. The SMLE is a pleasure to shoot, and I’ve been assured that this one is very, very, accurate. However, I own a number of them and they are also very, very, heavy to lug around all day. That’s one advantage of the EBR.

Then there is the whole world of what I guess we call tactics. The extent of my knowledge about hunting comes form Bugs Bunny cartoons and The Three Stooges. I know that you have to be “vewwy, vewwy, quiet” and that you never let the bear drive the car, but that’s about it.

Really, AD might be able to get a whole book out of this.

Still, I know I’m going to enjoy this adventure, whether I actually get any game or not. I’m going to be with friends, old and new, doing something new and fun, and learning (hopefully) some new skills. Oh, and I won’t be at work. What more can one ask for?

Stay tuned for stories.