A-hunting we will go...?

Hadn't planned on being home from a vacation trip in time for the Ohio firearm deer season, but we got back early, just in time for the deer hunt.

I haven't even finished unloading the camper and trailer from our trip, but we went to Dick's Sporting Goods and bought a two-person ladder stand Saturday. I spent Sunday afternoon putting it together, and Sunday evening dragging the 100-pound contraption down the road, through the woods, and across the creek to a public hunting area.

I set it up by the light of my headlamp, sweating in shirtsleeves. Damn global warming anyway.

Then I came home and began sorting through hunting gear and piling everything I'd need for departure in the morning darkness. When all my clothes and gear were in an orderly heap in the living room, and after I'd changed my shotgun barrel from smoothbore to rifled, I naturally checked to be sure my license and deer tag were in my waist pack where I always carry such things. No deer tag.

I looked again, looked other places. Hunting and fishing licenses, but no deer tag. After several minutes of thought, I realized I hadn't misplaced it. I hadn't bought it when I bought the licenses last spring. I don't remember whether I didn't bother with it because I was in a hurry, or whether the young clerk at the hardware had misunderstood me and hadn't issued it. Either way, I had months to take care of it. Except I forgot.

Too late on a Sunday evening to buy one at any of the stores I know that sell them, so I'll miss opening morning. But I'll be down at the nearest bait shop when it opens. And I feel lucky this year. I think I'll buy two tags instead of waiting to see if I fill the first one. I feel lucky, but also a little stupid.