Hunting at night
I am going hunting. I am going to get those animals. They have bugged me long enough.
They are out there every night. I don't know what time of the night, but every night. I usually go to bed anywhere from 10:00 to 1:00 so I'll go to bed now at 6:00 and should wake up sometime in the middle of the night. Usually I wake up at least once in the night so I should not sleep through the night and miss the hunt. I've already laid out dark cloths, the shotgun, some shells, flashlight, and moccasins.
Man I'm sleepy. What time is it? 12:30. that's about right. I'm not even going to take time for coffee.
Now turn out the light so it won't show when I open the door. It's only about 100 to 150 feet to where I plan to go. Easy on the steps. Don't want to fall or step on one of the cats. Now I'll just stand for a minute and let my eyes adjust to the darkness. The moon is way down but giving a little light. In the shadow under these trees can't see much.
Just on step at a time. Stay on the stones here and I won't make any noise. I'll just move when a big truck passes on the highway. The highway is not that close, but in the stillness of the night the sound travels and will help cover any noise I might make.
I raked the leaves yesterday so I can go this way and stay in the shadow of the trees and not make noise. Here comes another truck, I'll take another few steps now. Have to cross this open space. Want to move very slowly as fast motion can be seen easier. Here comes a truck so I'll move.
Uhh ohh. What's that coming behind me? I can barely see a little movement coming my way in the dark. A cat. One of the cats followed me.
Now I'm in the shadow of the banana plants and with them right behind me I should be hard to see. Lucky I thought to put a chair here. As lazy as I am I don't really want to stand for several hours. Now I'll relax and see if I can hear them. It's probably to dark to see them unless they get real close. There is a slight breeze blowing across the field toward me so I should not be smelled from that direction. There is no telling where they might come from though.
Most of the garden is right in front of me. Let's see. The potatoes to the right, cantaloupes ahead, okra and collards and tomatoes to the left.
Gosh, it's quiet and peaceful. There are a few crickets chirping and a frog croaks every one in a while. The dog down the road barks a little every so often. Wonder what he's barking at? The fireflies are pretty.
What's that brushing my leg? "Hello Tri. You sure startled me cat."
It has sure been a relaxing night. There is nothing as nice as sitting in the fresh air with the night sounds. I believe I'll call it a night. It won't hurt to use the flashlight going back.
Maybe another night I'll get those armadillos that keep tearing up the yard and garden.
