HUNTING
Mally’s last hunt. (SCOTT HAUGEN)
THE LAST HUNT By Scott Haugen
A
s I write these words, there are two days left in duck season. I was going to invite friends along, but I just want to hunt alone with my two dogs, Echo and Kona. Selfish? Maybe, but I don’t think so. A dog lover understands why.
TWO WEEKS AGO I got a message from a stranger in my area, asking if I knew of any easy-to-navigate private land where they could take their nearly 14-year-old black Lab on her last hunt. I didn’t reply right away, but I immediately knew my answer.
That night I got three hours of sleep, as it was all I could think about: a dog’s last hunt. The next morning I replied, and said I had a place for them to hunt. I had no idea who the person was, as their social handle didn’t have a name. I didn’t background check them, as I probably should have, or ask any questions about their personal life, hunting experience, or what they wanted out of the hunt. Three days later we set a time to meet the following morning. The last note from them said, “Oh, by the way, my name is such and such, and my husband’s name is so and so.”
I already knew their dog’s name – that’s all that really mattered. We met early the next morning, walked to the blind, tidied up the decoys and made sure the situation was good for their aging Lab. Then the couple walked back to the truck to get their dog. I didn’t follow them, but went in another direction to hunt with my dog. Kona and I had a great morning, but I couldn’t stop thinking about my guests and their dog.
A FEW HOURS LATER I put Kona in the truck and went to check on them. They had ducks and were happy, but solemn. I wanted to chat but
calsportsmanmag.com | MARCH 2022 California Sportsman
61
