Grew up here in a little area called Palmyra (Montgomery/Stewart county area. Joined the military after high school, fought in a couple of wars, saw the world...

Hunting then-
Killed my first deer at 12 years old, a 5 point (only had 1 horn) with a $62 KMart single shot 12 gauge (only had 1 shell, so guess it was okay. I was wearing jogging pants and a white t-shirt, laying dead center of about a 50 acre field. Afterwards, went and played in the creek (catching water moccasins with my cousins).
Pretty sure I hadn't showered in about a week. The absolute only thing I had with me was that old shotgun. We had 2 bullets, but I had to share with my little brother, so he crried one shell. If I missed, had to give him the gun so he could reload and shoot.

Hunting now-
About 11 months before deer season I set up the trail cameras. Few months later, start clearing shooting lanes, scouting,etc..I get my $500 worth of hunting clothing and launder with the scent away and put them in air-tight packages. Take my $200 snake boots, clean them up and treat them with pyrethrin because if I get near a snake or bugs, don't want to take any chances! Last week, I hauled out my $800 bow and started practicing for the season. Lost 6 arrows (about $9 a piece), but got it tuned in and shooting great now. Tomorrow, gonna take my $300 deer stand out of the shed and check the cables and straps. Have to move my $7000 ATV first...

And after all that, that half-rack 5 pointer glows brighter than any deer I've ever shot. I realize part of that is just the 'first deer' memory, but I think it was also the largest deer I've ever killed.
So if ya'll see a guy in his late 30's wearing jogging pants, a t-shirt laying in the middle of a field somwhere, please stop by and sat HI

Good post!

Think about what was written. When things are simpler they are often much, much better!