Pheasant Hunting- a Team Sport!

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.”-Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

This past weekend, as I’ve done the last several years, I went pheasant hunting in South Dakota with eight other men, who are also family. The weather was beautiful, which is kind of risky this time of year, and the birds were flying. We “harvested” a bounty of pheasants, and the fellowship and accommodations were tremendous. The Janke family made it all possible, especially Dave Janke, our host, guide and friend. We had a blast (no pun intended) and learned a lot about teamwork.

 

Most people have done some sort of hunting in their lifetime.  A lot of hunting is like deer hunting which doesn’t require a lot of work since you sit still in a deer blind up in a tree. It can be a long game of waiting until the deer walk near the blind. 

 

Pheasant hunting is truly a team sport. It’s about walking large half-miles through fields together, with part of the group walking towards the rest of the group waiting at the other end of the field. We are very mindful of where the others are as we walk and hunt

and enjoy the adventure ahead. Life is truly a pheasant hunt- like adventure. 

 

We’re all walking this field called life with brothers and sisters walking next to us. We’re careful to honor those walking to the left and the right of us. The truth is, when I take a shot and down a pheasant, it is a team effort. 

 

As we’re walking as a team through the field, usually, three or four people fire at every bird. We’re not usually exactly sure who hit the bird first, but it really doesn’t matter. We share the birds.  

 

Can you pheasant hunt alone? Well, sure. But the best kind of pheasant hunting is with a team. And the best kind of living is with a team. Sharing the ups and downs is how God designed us to exist. Pride wants to solely bear the success or failure, but we are wired to bear the burden and the victory together. 

 

In the end, it really doesn’t matter who hit the bird. It’s a beautiful release of pride to walk the field together. And every day we’re all walking the fields of life together. 

 

So, when you set out walking on the field of life, be sure and allow others to walk with you and next to you. In the wins and losses, bear the load with your friends and family. When you take the shot and down the bird, share the success with your friends and family around you. If you miss the bird, share that load with family and friends as well. 

 

Remember, in the end, it really doesn’t matter who downed the bird because we downed the bird. It is a team sport. We lose together and win together. In your family, friendships, workplace, or marriage, share your load with those around you. 

 

Most of all, allow our awesome God to walk with you as well. Yes, he delights in walking the fields with us. 

 

Walk safely and walk together and, if you down a pheasant, enjoy the meal!

 

We had an amazing time in South Dakota. Hunting the beautiful pheasants was so much fun. Thank you Taylor, Bill, Bo, Trent, Eric, Brian, Mark and Joel for a wonderful time. I look forward to our next hunt together.

 

By Eric Joseph Staples ©

www.lifeaid101.com

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Joey Staples

joeystaples66@gmail.com