Never Means Never

When I returned to the truck after a long hunt in Montana’s impressive break country my hunting buddy Ben is looking some two miles out through my Leupold Spotting Scope.  Ben says, “There is a very nice 4 point muley, I think I will go after him”.  The hour is 3:30. Ben grabs his backpack and rifle and heads out.  I can watch his progress from the comfort of the truck.  He occasionally vanishes as he crosses coulees and washes of various sizes.  Basically the prairie country appears flat from my angle but it is far from it.   Just before dark Ben bags a respectable buck, by radio I suggest that he return and we deal with the buck in the a.m...  Just as we discuss this hunting party members Ralph and Don show up, these youngsters bring about 500 pounds of pulling power.  After a short discussion we decide to go get Ben’s buck.

Looking for a head start for the long hike I grab my truck flashlight, coat and gloves and head out.  My back pack is left in the truck.  Ralph and Don overtake and pass me by; by the time I reach the group it is darker than the inside of a cow, not even a sliver of moon.  The big boys hook up the deer, I pack Ben’s rifle and we all head out selecting the easier path in the direction of the truck or so we think.  After an hour of pulling and travel we stop to check our situation, looking at the compass we find that basically we are traveling north rather than east.  Another hour of travel and we not sure exactly where we are.  Being the weaker of the bunch I take a compass and my light and head on hoping to find the truck and light the way for the guys, as my light fails I look to the stars to direct me eastward.  Of course my back pack contained another Surefire Light and extra batteries, to avoid falling into one of the deep cuts I follow my Labrador Zach, I can just make him out in front of me. He won’t lead me into harms way.  At 8:30 I reach the fence and just beyond the rutted track of the road.  Now, which way to go, I turn down hill thinking that we have gained elevation, when I reach a recognizable cattle guard I know I have gone the wrong way, 30 minutes later I see the shape of a truck.  I could not have missed it when I first came to the road by more than a few feet.  A working light would have revealed it with ease.  I fire up the truck and turn on the lights, a very welcome sight to the fellows coming behind.  Don’t tell the BLM folks but I opened the gate and drove out to retrieve my tired pals and Ben’s buck.

We were never in any real danger as the night was not cold and the wind was not blowing.  But, what if it had been?  In daylight looking from where the truck was parked you would never think this could take place. Add darkness and everything changes.  My companions gave me a great deal of deserved grief regarding my back pack, I constantly preach to everyone, “Don’t leave the truck without your back pack”. “Don’t go out without your compass”.  “Always be prepared”.

Best Regards,

Al Chandler, CEO
AlChandlerTVN@truckvault.com