Come Along and Bring a Friend
Recollections of a Virginia Sportsman
by
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COME ALONG AND BRING A FRIEND
A COLLECTION OF RANDOM MEMORIES AND THOUGHTS FROM AN AVERAGE SPORTSMAN WHO WORKS FOR A LIVING AND ENJOYS HIS SPARETIME IN THE OUTDOORS. HE IS DESCENDED FROM A LINE OF ‘HUNTERS AND GATHERERS’, AND IS PROUD TO CONTINUE HIS HERITAGE.
THIS IS A SERIES OF LIFETIME ADVENTURES, IN THE APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS OF VIRGINIA, WHICH MUST BE SHARED WITH FRIENDS AND OTHER SPORTSMEN.
CAUTION!
THESE STORIES MAY INSPIRE INDIVIDUAL RECOLLECTIONS OF YOUR OWN EXCURSIONS INTO THE WILD AND BEAUTIFUL NATURAL WORLD WE SHARE.
THE SQUIRREL DOG
The dog was a purebred mongrel. ‘Lady’ was part Border collie, part German shepherd, and an unknown breed. Her coat was usually filled with cockle-burrs and either wet or dirty, depending on her recent activities. She was a working farm dog whose duties were to help round up the cows, protect the chickens, and keep the groundhogs and deer out of the garden on my grandparent’s farm in Delton, Virginia.
She had a penchant for June bugs and Grasshoppers and seemed to continuously be chasing after them during the summer. The barnyard was her domain and no interlopers were allowed in her territory. However, an unfortunate experience with a skunk allowed them to trespass occasionally.
Lady loved to hunt. She learned on her own and that made us kindred spirits. We shared the same passion. When I was a young hunter, Lady and I spent many enjoyable fall days afield together. The farms Oak, Hickory, Pine and Beechnut trees provided the habitat for Grey and Fox squirrels in abundance.
Whenever I picked up the single shot .22 and headed for the woods, Lady was at my side. She would scour the ground for the scent of a feeding squirrel and would ‘yip’ once when she treed the game. After locating the tree the squirrel was feeding in she would sight trail the quarry in the branches until it tried to hide. When I arrived at the ‘pointed tree’, she would slowly move around it. The squirrel would move away from her to my side of the tree and usually offer me a clear shot. When my shot was accurate and when the squirrel dropped, Lady would gently pick it up and carry it to me. She knew she would receive an ‘Atta Girl, Lady’ and get her head scratched and petted in appreciation of a job well done.
Lady and I provided many meals of ‘squirrel gravy’ for the family in the years we hunted together. She always shared the feast of the game we caught. First when it was cleaned for the skillet, and again after the meal if there were any leftovers. I haven’t hunted squirrels over a dog in many, many years. The memories of the good times shared with ‘Lady’ make me want to try hunting this way again.
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About the Book
Roger Williams is a hunter and fisherman. Since he can remember, he has pursued game on the mountains of the New River Valley in Virginia. In his collection of memories and practical advice tailored for game hunters, Williams offers an entertaining glimpse into a few of his favorite ventures into the wilds of nature as he and his hunting companions—affectionately nicknamed “the brushy mountain misfits”—experienced one unforgettable adventure after the other.
Williams, who begins by providing clothing and gear tips for novice hunters, shares anecdotes that highlight the zaniness of his comic adventures with longtime hunting pals Monkey Wrench, Boss Man, Road Kill, Dragger, Birddog, Shadow, and Guide while they bonded and searched for game. As Williams leads others through his varied experiences in the wild, he details the creativity the gamesmen utilized to transform an old school bus into a useful camp site, offers advice on weapons, and shares amusing snippets from a variety of hunting expeditions.
Come Along and Bring a Friend shares a seasoned hunter’s personal recollections as he fondly looks back to reveal what he has learned in the wild with the hope of inspiring a passion for hunting to a new generation.
About the Author
Roger Williams is a retired accountant with a lifelong passion for hunting and fishing. He currently resides in Dublin, Virginia, where he continues to make memories—now with his grandchildren—in the natural setting of the nearby mountains.