By Hyatt McClennen

Even though nobody else on either side of my family has ever hunted, I have wanted to go since I was 6 years old (I'm now 12 1/2). It sort of looked like I would never get to go. All that changed when Mr. Reid (Dennis) moved into my neighborhood. We became good friends as we talked about hunting, fishing, building things, etc.

While my dad was working in Michigan for 2 1/2 months, Mr. Reid was like a dad to me. Several weeks ago, he invited me to go on a Sunday, one-day hunting trip. He knew I was moving to Michigan on Dec. 20th and this was one of my last chances to go. On Dec. 14th, we headed down to Carrolton, Alabama. We got settled into our shooting house on Shepherd Field (named after Dr. Shepherd). It was a very cold day! In the first 3 minutes, a spike came running out of the woods, stopped and ran off. Then there was a 110 pound doe that came out, then two baby fawns came within 15 yards of us.

The doe was about 128 yards away, and with my new 243, I shot and got a good hit. It ran about 30 yards and fell dead. We went back to Mr. Stokes' house and skinned it. I was so happy that I finally got to go hunting, and I hope that Mr. Reid realizes how much that trip, and his friendship means to me.