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Column
By Shar
Porier
The Banks County News
December 13, 2000
Hunters at
the door
Well, maybe not at the door, exactly. But Tommy Glavin could
sure nail one with a fast ball easy enough.
Now, it's not I'm against hunting, exactly. It just seems to
me that spraying scent and sitting in a deer stand waiting for
some poor deer to wander by really doesn't meet the definition
of "hunting".
According to Webster, hunting means: the act or practice of chasing
and searching for wild animals. But, back to the subject - hunters
on my land. A big no-no and a sure-fire way to set me off.
The boundaries of all wildlife areas where hunting is permitted
are clearly marked. I even nailed "No Hunting" signs
to many, many trees along the boundary line. I figured I'd let
them know that there's folks around here, so they should be careful
and stay where they're supposed to. The signs didn't last a month.
Boundary lines do not make a difference.
I understand that maybe a guy can get bored out there. Maybe
thinks that deer he's waiting for is just over the hill. Still,
when he goes over that hill and sees a rooftop, a barn, a fence,
anything that shows "homestead," he ought to just turn
around and head the opposite direction. Bullets travel a long
way. Their ultimate target needs to be considered.
I've been in the woods a lot (for wildlife photos) and managed
to pick up a few pointers in tracking deer. Webster says under
tracker: one who hunts by following the track (to follow step-by-step).
And, it's not that hard to do. Deer make these great footprints
that are pretty easy to follow. They also leave faint trails
through brush that can be followed if you go slow and look. Bucks
root up the ground in spots and leave marks on small trees, even
break branches, from rubbing their antlers.
Once you know their spots, then it's OK to sit up there and wait.
Or follow their trails until you figure out how to get downwind.
If you get one, fine. If not, hey, you've had a great day in
the woods and avoided that "Honey-do" list. You won't
have to lie to your kids either about those burgers being cow
when it's really Bambi or his Mom.
But, back to the subject, hunting on my land. I can assure you
that there are no deer hiding out on my 12 little acres or the
other private acreage around me. They're really not smart enough
to say, "Well, let's all go to Shar's place and hang out
till deer season ends."
And guys, if you really want to be a "manly man" and
a "true hunter" - go to tracking school. Learn to track.
Hunt with a bow. It's a lot safer, more exciting and quieter.
Most importantly, it's far more romantic to the ladies. In a
survey of some 31 hunters' wives (friends and ladies in the grocery
store), the majority agreed that chances are "Do-Honey"
would be at the top of your "Honey-do" list. Exactly!
Shar Porier is a reporter for MainStreet Newspapers.
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Letter to
the Editor
The
Banks County News
December 13, 2000
Memories of Christmas
Dear Editor:
I am writing this about what Christmas is about in Banks County.
My name is Kenneth Poole. I live on Brady Creek Road.
On Dec. 9, we had a Christmas dinner in memory of our parents,
James Wilson and Florence Poole. There were 14 children in my
family, and there are still 11 of us alive. We still carry on
my mother and father's reunion in September of each year, and
have the Christmas dinner in memory of them in December of each
year. We have been having the Christmas dinner every year since
1982 when our father passed away. Our mother and father started
the family reunion in the 1940s.
There were 10 of us present at the Christmas dinner, along with
each of our families, and we had a very merry time for the most
part. Some of us have had some very serious illnesses in the
year of 2000, but we all give thanks to the Lord above for all
the blessings we have had the past year.
We may not see each other every day, but when sickness or tragedy
strikes, you can bet we will all be there just as soon as we
get word. If any of us wants to have a get-together, the rest
of us are ready to pitch in and help. I and all of my brothers
and sisters try to teach our children to try so that they should
stick together and love each other and they should also teach
their children the right way in life also.
Also, our entire family would very much like to thank Mrs. Bonnie
Hill, Mrs. Edith Banks and Mrs. Vee Attoway for the help they
give us in preparing and decorating the civic center in Homer
so we could have our Christmas dinner.
These three ladies spend a lot of hours in the center getting
it ready for anyone that needs to use it. These ladies are real
little angels in my mind. They just seemed so happy to help.
Mrs. Bonnie Hill has been there since we started using the center
about eight years ago and she always seems so happy and pleased
to help.
Mrs. Hill needs some help now. She is trying to raise some money
for an ice machine for the center so it will be there when anyone
needs it. If anyone wishes to help, you may call Mrs. Hill at
(706) 677-4433 or me at (706) 677-2126. I will help her in any
way I can. If you get to know these three ladies like I do, you
will see how dedicated they are and they don't ask anything in
return except a kind word and a little appreciation.
I would very much like to wish these ladies a very Merry Christmas
and a very Happy, Happy New Year. I believe I am speaking for
everyone in my family.
May God bless each and every one, not only in Banks County, but
the whole world in this Christmas season and the new year ahead.
Sincerely,
Kenneth Poole
Dorothy Poole
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