Hello again Miss-Lou. The 2004-05 hunting season in the area has been underway for some time now for many folks, while preparations for the upcoming gun season for deer have been the priority for many others. Everyone is filled with high hopes and expectations of success for the season, as is always the case this time of year. No matter what kind of season you had last year, everyone has hopes of bagging the big one this year.

Unfortunately, so far this year, your favorite outdoor writer has not gotten into the swing of things. I have let the early segment of the dove season pass and fired nary a shot. The opening of the archery season for deer has passed, and I have not yet taken a stand. The squirrel season in Mississippi has opened, and I have not given it a second thought. That will change in the very near future, especially since we have now gotten a dose of hunting season type weather.

I heard reports of good and bad dove hunts early on, which is always the case. I haven’t heard a peep out of anyone locally, about bagging the big buck, since the opening of archery season. I did hear a second hand report of a big 14-point buck bagged on the opening day of archery season, somewhere in Mississippi.

I will take this opportunity to tip my cap to local hunters, for a job well done last season as far as safety is concerned. Though I did hear a few scattered reports of some modest injuries from accidents occurring while hunting, and no injury seems modest when it happens to you, I do not recall any reports of anything of a tragic nature. Good job folks.

As has become my custom in my first article each year, I would like to challenge area hunters to do their utmost to make this a safe hunting season for all area hunters. And to conduct themselves as true sportsmen, while in the field. So let’s take a minute to recite what I now call &8220;The Sportsman’s Oath.&8221;

Repeat after me: &8220;I, (your name here), do solemnly pledge to obey all applicable local, state and federal hunting regulations. To conduct myself in a safe and courteous manner at all times. To treat my fellow hunters, as well as the game that we pursue, with respect. And to be selective in the harvesting of game, if I am fortunate enough to have the opportunity to do so.&8221; There now, that didn’t hurt a bit, did it?

I take a bit of good-natured ribbing from my buddies each year about this article. They say things like now that we’ve gotten this year’s safety article out of the way, we can talk about hunting. I can take the kidding though, because hunting safety is serious business.

Take it from someone who barely avoided tragedy some years back in a fall from a tree stand. It only takes a second to slip up and make a mistake. We must never let our guard down. Whether its preparing to pull that trigger, or preparing to climb into a stand, we must be on the alert at all times.

I’ll call that a wrap for this time.

Until next time, happy hunting, and as always, think safety first!

To submit items of interest, call (601) 446-7859.