11/14/2022
I started c**n hunting at the ripe old age of 4 with my dad and grandpa when they asked if I wanted to go with them on opening morning in 1957. I had asked numerous times and might have thrown a tantrum or two when I was told no I was too young. Little did I know that this day would change the course of my life forever. I was totally hooked, hook, line, and sinker. That morning we caught 4 nice c**n and when we decided to call it a night, dad and grandpa had to lead out two hounds, carry out the 4 c**n, the rifle, two 6 cell flashlights, and the lantern. Not to mention one very tired little boy. I might mention that I got dressed in such a hurry that I forgot to put socks on under my 4 buckle boots. My feet got so cold I started to cry. Dad ended up taking his gloves and putting them on my feet. Once I got in the car and it warmed up, I fell sound asleep. I loved c**n hunting so much that I continued through my teen years and up into my 60s. Last year I made my 64th consecutive opening morning. After the season was over, I vowed to set a personal goal of 65 consecutive opening mornings. About two months ago, I came down with a debilitating illness that just about dashed my hopes of ever being able to accomplish my dream of a 65th consecutive opening morning. It took a little extra help but Michelle Roblin, Melanie Deaton-Cucco, Baylee Cucco, Austin Roblin, and Klayton Purdy helped make it possible. We hunted Tucker and treed one c**n and called it a night. That night Melanie Deaton-Cucco, Brian Cucco, Baylee Cucco, Madalynn, Klayton Purdy, and Ben Sheets all accompanied me. Ben brought his dog Rio and I had my pup Razor and we treed one there. Mel and her family called it a night but the boys and I made a second drop and treed 2 more. Razor is a year old but hasn’t been hunted much. He got to see his first c**n and we got him fired up. I don’t think it’ll take much to get him hunting. Friday night Austin, Klayton, Ben, and I made a couple of drops and treed 9 c**n. Saturday night we made a quick drop and we treed 2 more. That makes 15 c**n treed over the course of 4 nights. This was the most enjoyable opening morning I can remember surrounded by my daughters, grandchildren, and my best friends, who I feel are my adopted sons. Happy hunting and God bless.
