I arrived the night before opening day around 7:00 PM. I was introduced to the eleven hunters in camp; I went around the fire shaking hands with some of the friendliest people I have ever met. They took me in as if I were family. We sat around the fire and took in all the stories (or tales) of previous years hunts. These guys were funny, ribbing each other about how the other guy got buck fever and missed the biggest buck in the world, then of course the other guy had to retaliate with "oh yeah, remember when you….". It was truly entertaining. I had my tent in the truck and was getting ready to pitch it when they said "no way" you get to stay in the "LOVE SHACK" with Paul. There definitely was a story behind this one and I wasn't going to ask, just kept one eye open all night (not really).

Next morning came quite early and I was to go with Paul & Bryant (Opie) to film their hunt. Most of the morning was uneventful. It was cool & overcast; we saw lots of sign but only kicked up a couple of does. The deer were definitely holding tight. It was around 11:00 and we were on our way back to the truck when Opie spotted what he thought was a buck coming over a ridge. While we were glassing the ridge, Opie disappeared into the Joshua trees and I found myself saying I wished I had gone with him. A few minutes later we heard shots ring out. We started walking in the general direction of the shots; Opie had shot a nice 4x5 Muley. This guy was pretty quick; he already had the buck gutted by the time we got there. We put the buck into the truck and headed back to camp.

We hunted the rest of the afternoon until the rains started about 5:00 PM. back at camp; Travis and Richard were at the truck cleaning every ones guns so they wouldn’t rust. We were greeted with mesquite grilled, chicken, pork chops; beef steak & venison tenderloins with fried potatoes, onions and a side of baked beans. We ended the evening with good food, great people & conversation.

I was talking with one of the old timers (Bob) about hunting traditions and how they used to hunt in the 50’s. Back in those days you didn't have a draw system so you knew all the hunters who hunted in your area. Hunters would camp in one central location year after year for convenience and support. One of their camp traditions was to have one central large fire with the individual camps on the outskirts. Each camp would take care of their own cooking & camp needs, then everyone would gather around the main fire and tell stories (some of them tall tales) about the days hunt. Days gone by for Bob, but memories that have lasted a lifetime. We began talking about how times have changed; you can’t leave things out anymore because they seem to grow legs. They did not worry about having to lock things up in the old days. This day and age we have lost that trust between each other. It may only be a few bad apples that have turned the cider sour but the fact is you must lock everything up for safekeeping. Nonetheless, it’s reality. I’m not sure how we can change things, but I think it starts with our children. We must instill the values that our parents gave us.

My next & last day, I would rather forget, RAIN, RAIN, RAIN. I thought this was supposed to be the desert. We did have a great breakfast that Louie & Annette cooked. I said goodbye to my new friends and headed back to Wickenburg. This hunt will continue through next week. I will be dropping in on the camp from time to time and keep you updated. I would like to thank everyone for taking me in and treating me as family. I feel I have newfound friends in unit 44A.