Let me preface this by saying, we are ALL notorious for protecting our “honey hole”. But, come on… do we really need to look another hunter in the eyes and lie to their face? On so many levels this is wrong.
THINK:
What prompted this was my scouting trip last weekend for turkeys… (Thunder Chickens) I happened to be down in San Diego County on the Cleveland National Forest just northwest of Henshaw Lake. Where I’m sure there will be several of us this coming Saturday morning, March 26th for opening day.
While coming out of the woods I ran into 3 guys coming in mid to late morning on Saturday. The conversation went something like this…
Me – how’s it going guys… scouting turkeys?
Guys – yep…
Me – well, yesterday evening I sat into dark over the lake near the pastures edge with no luck other than a few muley does and this morning it was more than quite in the heavy fog.
Guys – ok, then
Me – you guys familiar with this area? I’m new here.
Guys – no, this is our first time here too.
Me – well you know where the old barn is?
Guys – yeah… down the creek bed and around the bend… (1st clue)
Me – I sat there for 2 hours on the ridge with no luck, yesterday.
Guys – oh… ok
Me – you know where that old water holding tank is on the far side of the pasture.
Guys – yeah… up near that old cattle crossing. (2nd clue)
Me – yeah, that one…. no luck there either.
Guys – I see… well I guess you’ll not be here next weekend then will you.
Me – since I don’t know of a lot of other areas… I’m thinking this might be one of my better options to bring my boys, since I know the birds hold up here throughout the year.
Guys – well… you know you might want to try down near Southerland Lake, I hear it is a much better spot than here.
Me – thanks for the tip guys… hope you have a great day. Blessings!
Now, I have no idea about those guys spiritual lives. I have no knowledge of where they stand in their relationship to Christ. This much I do know… they are turkey hunters and they are “turkeys”. They looked me in my eyes and told me they’d never been to that spot before, yet they knew every land mark I mentioned and gave a better description of it than I could have.
READ:
19 Truth will last forever; lies are soon found out.
Proverbs 12:17 (CEV)
ACT:
I know we love our honey holes, but lying never wins. As you go throughout your week know that I’m praying for you.
Speaking truth… in love.
Chaplain to the Outdoorsmen 
Glynn
March 21, 2011 at 5:08 pm
Wow there really are some “turkeys” out there. We do protect our honey hole, as it is private land, but I would never lie about the wealth of hunting that is there.
Pastor Kerry
April 1, 2011 at 9:50 am
Glynn,
I completely agree with private land protection. Hopefully, one of these days we will have access to private land here in California. I am asking around now for who might let an old preacher boy hunt their land.
r.b. wright
March 21, 2011 at 5:36 pm
Guys like that give the sport a really bad name. My suggestion would be the following:
As you walk past them with your harvested bird Saturday, simply say…”Hey guys – I am surprised to see you here. Based on our conversation the other day I was certain you would be in the better spot down by Southerland Lake.” Politely smile, say ” Blessings.”, and fade into the horizon.
Just a thought and I really enjoyed this post.
r.b. wright
Pastor Kerry
April 1, 2011 at 9:49 am
RB,
Now that’s funny… Opening weekend wasn’t the success I’d had hope for in a harvest; however, my time with Caleb was priceless.
Justin
March 22, 2011 at 6:43 am
I agree with protecting your “honey hole” if it’s on private land, as Glynn says.. But I’m still not going to lie to a person if they as me something about it, and if they want to hunt it all they have to do is ask normally..
As Outdoors men (and women) we are suppose to bound together and help one another, not lie and device each other for only our own good.
Pastor Kerry
April 1, 2011 at 9:48 am
Justin,
Good word my friend. I wished we had access to private land here in California. I’d give anything not to have to navigate the crowds on public lands. Hoping someone blesses us with access to private land in coming days.
BJ
March 22, 2011 at 9:29 pm
Comical. I like how you uncovered their knowledge of the area without them realizing they were being caught in their own lie. Thanks for the post.
Pastor Kerry
April 1, 2011 at 9:46 am
BJ, I know too funny. They were not there opening morning.