Stephen Sorenson - Id Rather Be Hunting: Stories and Insights on the Path of Adventure

HARVEST HOUSE PUBLISHERS

EUGENE, OREGON

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011, by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Italics in Scripture quotations represent the authors emphasis.

Harvest House Publishers has made every effort to trace the ownership of all poems and quotes. In the event of a question arising from the use of a poem or quote, we regret any error made and will be pleased to make the necessary correction in future editions of this book.

All the incidents described in this book are true. Where individuals may be identifiable, they have granted the author and the publisher the right to use their names, stories, and/or facts of their lives in all manners, including composite or altered representations. In all other cases, names, circumstances, descriptions, and details have been changed to render individuals unidentifiable.

Photos in chapters 7 and 22 by Blane Clark; photos in chapters 4, 8, 11, 14, 19 by John Mayher. All other photos by Stephen W. Sorenson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Author backcover photo John Mayher

Cover photos iStockphoto / Thinkstock

Cover by Koechel Peterson & Associates, Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota

ID RATHER BE HUNTING

Copyright 2014 by Stephen W. Sorenson

Published by Harvest House Publishers

Eugene, Oregon 97402

www.HarvestHousePublishers.com

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Sorenson, Stephen.

Id rather be hunting / Stephen W. Sorenson.

pages cm

ISBN 978-0-7369-5310-8 (pbk.)

ISBN 978-0-7369-5311-5 (eBook)

1. HuntingReligious aspectsChristianity. I. Title.

BV4597.4.S67 2014

248.8'8dc23

2013018012

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To my father, who graciously allowed me to buy my first rifle when I was 13.

To my hunting friends, especially Roy (my father-in-law) and Walt, who have shared so many adventures with me and positively influenced my life more than theyll ever know.

To Amanda, my dear wife and hunting companion, who has always known how much I need hunting adventures in my life. She played such a key role in making this book happen.

And to Caitlin, for her encouragement, laughter, and godly character.

Many people have made this book possible; and Id like to thank some of them right now:

Amanda wife, friend, hunteroften you anchor things at home so I can go hunting. The food and menus you provide to try to keep us eating the right stuff during hunting camp, which works most of the time, enable us to keep going no matter how bad hunting conditions become. And when I return, your great game meals motivate me to keep adding meat to the freezer. God uses you to bless me in so many ways. Thanks for hanging with me during this journey called life.

Caitlin, please forgive me for the time I spent hanging up that deer instead of fishing with you. It wont happen again. I love you.

Steve Chapman, thanks for the opportunity to follow your big shoes.

Barbara Gordon, not only are you a great editor, you are a joy to work with even though you insist (rightly, I might add) that I call antelope pronghorn . I appreciate the laughter we share. And, of course, a big thank you to Terry Glaspey and the rest of the folks at Harvest House .

Roy and Walt, you weave in and out of these stories. Thanks for believing in me and sharing life with me for more than 30 years. Words cant express how special you guys are to me. Ill never forget many of Gods truths you actively live out.

Blane, you are a relatively new hunting buddy, and your enthusiasm and kindness mean a lot. Ill never forget how you patiently pulled more than 100 painful cactus spines out of my back after I rolled under that fence wearing two fleece jackets during elk hunting season. And Mike, your hunting excitement is contagious.

Friends who have contributed stories and illustrations to this book you are generous and an inspiration. I wish I had more space on this page to list you by name!

John, your photography skills are amazing. You go above and beyond to assist me in communicating the adventure of hunting.

Readers, I know I may not be privileged to meet many of you in person but I thank you for reading these stories. It is indeed a privilege to share them with you. I hope you enjoy them.

Contents

I started hunting rabbits, woodchucks, and pheasants during my early teens in the Midwest.

I started hunting big game when I was 25.

Nobody in my immediate family had ever hunted; I was the first. In fact, I learned several years ago that my aunt and uncle had given away rifles and shotguns they inherited because they didnt know anybody whod use them.

When my first big-game hunting opportunity came across my pathor the sidewalk, actuallyI jumped at it. Id noticed my neighbor Pete was outside, so I wandered over to say hello. A few minutes into our conversation, he announced, Im taking my older son hunting for the first time.

What are you hunting, and where are you going? I replied, trying to stifle my immediate enthusiasm, which was usually reserved for special times with my wife or dining at all-you-can-eat places that serve prime rib and coconut cream pie.

Petes face lit up as he described his special deer hunting spot.

Then I blurted out with all the subtlety of a giraffe in a shopping mall, Hey, can I go with you?

Sure, he responded. I have everything well need for hunting, but youll need your own tent, food, rifle, and personal gear.

That sounded great to me. I had a little backpacking tent, a summer sleeping bag, and no idea that Id need much else. Okay, count me in!

As I walked those 50 or so steps back to my house, several thoughts smashed into me head-on. Okay, I just agreed to go deer hunting. I dont have a deer rifle. I dont know anything about big-game hunting. And I dont have much money. Wow, this trip will be great!

I immediately called my father-in-law to tell him the exciting news. Hes been a pistol, rifle, and shotgun enthusiast for many years, and hes a lifetime NRA member too.

Thats great! he exclaimed. What rifle do you plan to use?

I have no idea, I said. I didnt know a .243 from a .300 Winchester magnum. Maybe I can borrow one.

Roy paused briefly and then said, You know, Ill give you a Springfield A3O3 .30-06 rifle that I bought through the NRA years ago for 20 dollars. Itll do the job. Do you want it?

Great! I exclaimed, not realizing what a gift it really was. I found out later it had a Mauser actionone of the best ever made and prized by people who sporterize rifles. It was a truly magnificent gift.