Experience is a nasty instructor. It tests us before it teaches us. After a lifetime of field testing, I've learned many hunting lessons the hard way. Here are a few:
A kid's first duck, goose, pheasant or deer is far more important than a mentor's 51st. Teaching a youngster how to hunt is a down payment on the future of the sport we love.
Relationships with hunting partners are more important than any duck, deer, pheasant and, maybe even, gobbler.
Young dogs do not learn from old dogs on opening day. Young dogs learn from humans in repetitive training sessions before opening day.
A bad turkey, duck or goose call is worse than no call.
Nowadays, when hunting anything except deer, geese and turkeys, the good old days really were better.
In churches, movie theaters and duck blinds, cell phones should be turned off.
This simple statement, uttered in deer camp, softens the hearts of hosts and guarantees we'll be invited back: "I'll do the dishes."