February 2016 Marsh & Bayou | Page 47

A s we drove toward Delacroix, Randy explained that his father, Harlon Pearce, has had the lease in Caernarvon for 52 years, that he has been hunting there his whole life, and now he and Hunter enjoy it together nearly every weekend of the season. Randy loves that three generations have hunted on the same property, and he knows it like the back of his hand. Hunter has only been going with his dad since he was 6, but he considers himself an “expert” on the subject nonetheless. At various points, he argued about the choice of location, where and how to conceal the boat, when to load the guns, and when to send the dog out to retrieve. His knowledge of the land and the entire sport was astonishing at such an early age, and I found myself noting the immeasurable benefits of a boy having a hands-on father figure to teach and guide him in childhood. Shooting time started that day at 6:26, so when we arrived at the launch, we loaded the boat quickly with all the decoys and equipment and were among the first to head out onto the water. Lindsay and I became suddenly and painfully aware that no matter what a person considers “warm” on land, there is no protection from icy cold winds on a speeding boat. She and I huddled together for warmth on the floor of the boat, while Dad steered and Hunter kept Continued