As I finished up last Sunday’s column, I began the mad rush to organize all my hunting gear for our annual trip down to the Southern Tier. Favorite haunts in the hills of Greenwood in Steuben County has been my destination for some 45 years for the regular season deer opener; longer for my father, Bill Sr. of Sanborn. Brother Dave of Burt would be making it this year for the first time in a decade due to work and family commitments; brother Rick of North Tonawanda would be staying back this year because of that same set of values. High school friends Don Starkey of Lockport and Thure Larson would both be part of our hunting team once again this year, rounding out this year’s crew at Rock Creek State Land, or so I thought.

A recent hospital stay involving certain procedures through the groin area raised an element of doubt whether I would be able to make the trek south. The doctors had given me the green light, but only if I felt up to it. No heavy lifting and no extreme physical exertion were among the doctors orders. As the day progressed, the pain in the groin became worse. Tylenol wouldn’t touch it and it was too late to try and get a prescription.

Upon calling the doctor’s office, one suggestion was to make a trip to the local emergency room for an ultrasound to see what was causing the pain. Thank God macho stubbornness didn’t win out. I drove myself to Mount St. Mary’s in Lewiston and was admitted again, less than a week since my last visit. I would be missing the second regular season deer opener of my life.

As the sun came up last Saturday morning, I remembered the first time I failed to make a deer opener. I was stranded in Detroit returning from a Red Man All-American Bass Fishing Championship in Lake Havasu, Ariz., (thanks to missing a late Sunday night connection) and the earliest flight coming back into Buffalo was Monday morning at 9.

I didn’t miss the entire opener. We made it to the hill late that afternoon, back when the season opened on a Monday. And I shot a nice deer that year, kind of a pay back from nature for dealing with some of those hassles that life seems to throw at you. This time, however, I wasn’t going anyplace. Who knows when this hunter was going to make it back home, let alone into the woods. I was at the mercy of my doctors. It also helped put things into perspective and how important your health is.

Starkey and Larson were nearly alone on the hill that opening day with not much hunting pressure to speak of. Larson did have a little more excitement by sighting a black bear from his stand on opening day, but that season wouldn’t be open for a week. It sure gets the heart thumping to experience something like that in the wild. Before the three days were over, only Starkey managed to shoot his gun, missing a nice six-point buck. Dad and Dave never made it down, waiting on what was going to happen with me, thinking I may need surgery.

In the meantime, all I can do this year is sit back, recuperate and truly be thankful that this most recent bout was nothing more than a little intense pain. I’m thankful for family, friends and a new girl in my life that has been taking great care of me through these tough times. Appreciating the little things in life comes much easier when it appears like some of them could be taken away from you, only to have them returned on a silver platter. While I missed the deer opener this year, I know that I’ll be back for many more if this progress continues and my body continues to heal and move forward. Life is pretty darn good right now and I will enjoy it while I can. Let’s hope we all learn our lessons of life when they are dealt to us.

Ice fishing seminar in St. Catharines

Local ice fishing guru Joe Montgomery of St. Catharines, Ont., sends word that he has organized his fourth annual Ice Fishing Seminar, set for Dec. 3 at the Canadian Auto Workers Hall located at 124 Bunting Road in St. Catharines. Doors open for this great session at 6 p.m. with the program beginning at 7 p.m. Cost is $15 for adults; $12 for seniors. Children 8 years of age and younger are free to attend. If you want to learn more about hard water angling and don’t know the first thing about it, this is a great workshop for you to attend. Even if you’re a seasoned expert, you’ll still learn something new at this seminar. There are some great door prizes up for grabs, too. For more information contact Montgomery at 905-356-0303.

3-F Club winter skeet league starts

The Fin-Feather-Fur Conservation Society (3-F Club) located at 904 Swann Road in Lewiston has announced that their popular Winter Skeet League will be starting up next Sunday, Dec. 6. Cost this year will be $7 per round, with $3.25 earmarked for league fees, the rest toward targets. If you don’t have a team together yet, you still have plenty of time. Six scores do not have to be posted until Jan. 24, 2010. If you don’t have a team but you’d like to be part of one, stop down to the club and have your name put on a list for teams looking for a shooter or two.

It’s a lot of fun and a great way to test your shooting abilities during some pretty adverse conditions — wind, snow, rain, bright sunlight and more. A total of 16 scores will be registered and they will once again be using a handicap system to make things a bit more even for everyone. If you have any questions, see Bill Johnson at the club. For you snowbirds that travel south for the winter, there is an unlimited option to shoot ahead for your team.

Installation dinner is back

Speaking of the 3-F Club in Lewiston, Rich Falcone sends word that they will bringing back their installation dinner and dance this winter, set for Jan. 30 at their club facilities. This semi-formal affair will offer up a great meal as well as live entertainment for up to 130 attendees. Cost is $30 per person; $60 per couple. Tickets will go on sale for club members starting Dec. 1; Jan. 10 for non-club members. Contact Falcone or Max Hillman at the club for details. It should be a great time! See you there!