Dove Hunt (Journal)


Billy Petersen
Professor Williams
9/18/2019
Dove Hunt

            Memorial Day weekend sparks excitement for hunters across North Texas. It signifies the opening day for dove hunting season. For many, it’s a time spent with family and friends in the great outdoors creating memories that last a lifetime. With no school Monday, my friend and I decided to trek out to the border of Texas and Oklahoma for our first hunt of the season.
            As we approached the dove fields, I opened the windows of my car and the warm air pressed against my face. The gravel country roads surrounded by farmland create a special form of beauty that connects one with nature. Growing up in a big city has taught me to appreciate the beauty of small towns across the U.S.
            We started our journey by walking through a thick green forest covered with spider webs and other small creatures. After walking for twenty minutes on a run-down trail, the forest opened into a large field full of scattered birds.
            As we walked through the field, full of colorful sunflowers and dry grass, small doves arose from the ground and emerged into the sky. I stopped and observed the birds as they soared through the air fluttering their wings furiously. Watching them fly is a feature that captures the human imagination more than anything else. I wondered what it would be like to be able to soar through the sky moving from place to place.
            When the birds stopped flying, and the sun started to set, the orange glow of the sky faded into the distance. As we loaded up our car, the sun dipped below the horizon and fleeting colors of dusk began to fade away. The first dove hunt of the year reminded me of the beauty of nature. Being in the wilderness brings people together forming a special bond and appreciation for the world we live in.

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