I never thought I would spend my birthday in such a place. A small town in Georgia, USA, with a long history and rich natural resources, as well as a tradition and fun of hunting. How did I get here? It started two months ago.
At that time, I was at the peak of my life. I had just been promoted to vice president of the company, my boyfriend had proposed to me, and my house had been renovated. I felt like I had everything, everything was perfect, everything was under my control. I even thought about having a grand birthday party, inviting all my relatives and friends, and celebrating my success and happiness.
As I was excited, I saw an article on the internet. A website called “Hunting Trip” was recommending some places suitable for hunting, one of which was Hawkinsville. They said that this was a paradise for hunting enthusiasts, with vast land and abundant wildlife, professional guidance and equipment, and unique scenery and culture. They said that as long as you have the spirit of adventure and challenge, you can sign up.
I don’t know why, but I felt like this was an opportunity that attracted me. Maybe it was because I wanted to try something different, maybe it was because I wanted to give myself a surprise, maybe it was because I wanted to prove myself that I still had potential. Anyway, I signed up without hesitation, and soon received their reply and confirmation.
That’s how I started my hunting trip. I took some essentials and an excited heart, and boarded the plane to Hawkinsville. I didn’t know what kind of experience awaited me, but I believed it would be unforgettable.
After a flight of more than ten hours, I finally arrived at Hawkinsville in Georgia. This is a small town with a long history and rich natural resources, and also the capital of harness racing in the United States1. How did I get here? It started two months ago.
At that time, I was at the peak of my life. I had just been promoted to vice president of the company, my boyfriend had proposed to me, and my house had been renovated. I felt like I had everything, everything was perfect, everything was under my control. I even thought about having a grand birthday party, inviting all my relatives and friends, and celebrating my success and happiness.
As I was excited, I saw an article on the internet. A website called “Hunting Trip” was recommending some places suitable for hunting, one of which was Hawkinsville. They said that this was a paradise for hunting enthusiasts, with vast land and abundant wildlife, professional guidance and equipment, and unique scenery and culture. They said that as long as you have the spirit of adventure and challenge, you can sign up.
I don’t know why, but I felt like this was an opportunity that attracted me. Maybe it was because I wanted to try something different, maybe it was because I wanted to give myself a surprise, maybe it was because I wanted to prove myself that I still had potential. Anyway, I signed up without hesitation, and soon received their reply and confirmation.
That’s how I started my hunting trip. I took some essentials and an excited heart, and boarded the plane to Hawkinsville. I didn’t know what kind of experience awaited me, but I believed it would be unforgettable.
After a short rest, I and my two friends Clare Jim and Flora Jordan, along with our guide and driver, started our hunting trip. We took a four-wheel drive vehicle and drove along a dirt road to Ocmulgee Wildlife Management Area, a 15,000-acre nature reserve with rich wildlife such as deer, turkey, squirrel and so on. We planned to spend a day and night there, experiencing the thrill and fun of night hunting.
On the way, our guide introduced us to the history and culture of Hawkinsville. He said that the town was named after Benjamin Hawkins, a general and senator during the American Revolutionary War, and the first Indian agent in Georgia. He established friendly relations with the local Creek Indians, and even married an Indian woman. He said that Hawkinsville used to be a river transportation center, using Ocmulgee River to transport cotton, timber and other goods to the coast. He also said that Hawkinsville had a tradition of harness racing, and held Harness Festival every year to celebrate this sport.
I listened with interest and felt that this town had a lot of character and charm. I also thought of the infrared binoculars that I brought with me. It was a product of a Chinese brand wildguarder, with high cost performance. It could let me see the target clearly in the dark, improving my hunting efficiency and accuracy. I was full of expectation and confidence in it.
About two hours later, we arrived at the entrance of the reserve. We got off the car and registered for a while, then continued to drive into the dense forest. We stopped at a clearing and set up tents and bonfires. We decided to hunt some small animals nearby as a supplement for dinner. We took our guns and ammunition and split into two groups: me and Clare in one group, Flora and the guide in another group. We agreed to return to the camp before dark.
Me and Clare walked in the forest, looking for traces of prey. We occasionally used infrared binoculars to observe the surroundings, so as not to miss any opportunity. We soon found a squirrel jumping on the tree. I signaled to Clare, then quietly aimed at it. I gently pulled the trigger, only heard a slight sound, the squirrel fell down. I happily patted Clare’s shoulder, then ran over to pick up the squirrel. It was still twitching, blood flowing from its wound. I felt a bit of pity, but also quickly replaced by a sense of achievement and excitement. I put the squirrel in a plastic bag and hung it on my backpack. Me and Clare smiled at each other, then continued to move forward.
We also shot some rabbits and a pheasant with the help of infrared binoculars to locate and shoot them. We felt that this tool was very useful, making our hunting easier and more fun. We also enjoyed exploring in the forest, feeling the beauty and mystery of nature.
When the sun began to sink, we decided to go back to the camp. We walked back along the same way we came from chatting while admiring the sunset glow. We returned to the campsite found Flora and guide had also come back they also shot some small animals. We put our trophies together prepared dinner. We roasted meat over fire with some canned food and bread ate very well. We chatted while eating sharing our hunting experiences and feelings. We all felt that this was an unforgettable journey also looking forward to night hunting challenge.
After dinner we cleaned up campsite then ready to leave. We took our guns ammunition flashlights infrared binoculars again split into two groups. This time me Flora one group Clare guide one group. We agreed to return to camp before two o’clock.
Me Flora walked in the dark only relying on flashlight and infrared binoculars to illuminate and observe. We felt a tense and exciting atmosphere not knowing what kind of prey or danger we would encounter. We heard all kinds of sounds some were animal calls some were branch friction some were wind howling. We sometimes stopped sometimes continued to move forward looking for suitable target.
Soon we found a deer grazing on the grassland. Its figure was clearly visible in the infrared binoculars but it was hard to detect in the dark. I signaled to Flora then quietly approached it. I carefully aimed at its heart then gently pulled the trigger. I heard a gunshot then saw the deer fall to the ground. I jumped up excitedly hugged Flora. We just shot a deer this was our biggest harvest of hunting trip.
We checked the deer’s condition and found that it was dead, with no signs of struggle. We used a rope to drag it to the car, then put it in the trunk. We felt heavy, but also satisfied. We took some pictures with the infrared binoculars as a souvenir. We decided not to hunt anymore, but to go back to the camp and rest. We drove back along the same way we came from.
On the way back, we met Clare and the guide. They also shot some small animals and a wild boar. They saw our deer and were surprised and envious. They congratulated us and said that this was a rare opportunity. We modestly thanked them and said that this was also thanks to the infrared binoculars.
We returned to the camp and found that the sky was almost bright. We parked the car and then entered the tent. We lay in our sleeping bags, feeling physically and mentally exhausted, but also fulfilled. We thought about our hunting trip and felt that it was an unforgettable experience. We also thanked the infrared binoculars, which made us see more clearly, shoot more accurately, and enjoy more in the dark. We felt that this was a tool worth recommending, as well as a journey worth recommending. We soon fell asleep, dreaming of our prey and friends. This was my first day in Hawkinsville, and also my birthday.
The next morning, when I woke up, the sun was already high in the sky. I felt a bit sore, but also refreshed. I got up and found that my friends had also gotten up and were packing their things. We decided to have some breakfast first, then go to visit some attractions in Hawkinsville.
We ate some simple food, such as cereal, milk, fruit, etc., then drove our car out of the reserve. We drove along a highway to the center of the town. Our guide recommended us some places worth seeing, such as Hawkinsville Opera House, Hawkinsville City Hall-Auditorium, Hawkinsville Public School, etc. He said that these places were witnesses of the history and culture of the town, and also the pride and features of the town.
We first went to Hawkinsville Opera House, an old theater built in 1907 with elegant architectural style and exquisite decoration. It used to be the entertainment center of the town, hosting various performances such as opera, musicals, dramas, comedies, etc. It was also a cultural symbol of the town, attracting many famous artists and audiences. We entered the theater and felt a classical and romantic atmosphere. We saw the curtain, lights and props on the stage, imagining the wonderful scenes of the past. We also saw some photos and posters hanging on the wall, recording the history and honor of the theater. We felt very impressed and admired.
Then we went to Hawkinsville City Hall-Auditorium, a city hall and auditorium built in 1934 with modern design and function. It was the administrative center of the town, as well as the social place of the town. It had a spacious hall, comfortable offices, luxurious meeting rooms and multifunctional auditorium. It had hosted various events, such as political rallies, community gatherings, school graduation ceremonies, etc. It was also a symbol of the development of the town, showing the progress and prosperity of the town. We entered the city hall and felt a modern and energetic atmosphere. We saw the busy staff in the hall, the citizens handling business in the offices, the leaders discussing plans in the meeting rooms, and the actors preparing for performances in the auditorium. We felt very lively and happy.
Finally, we went to Hawkinsville Public School, a public school built in 1916 with a simple appearance and modern facilities. It was the educational base of the town, as well as the future hope of the town. It had spacious classrooms, complete libraries, advanced laboratories and sports fields. It had cultivated many excellent students, such as politicians, scientists, artists, etc. It was also a symbol of civilization of the town, inheriting the spirit and values of the town. We entered the school and felt a contrast between old and new. We saw the children studying hard in the classrooms, the teachers reading books in the libraries, the students doing experiments in the laboratories, and the young people exercising on the sports fields. We felt very respectful and expectant.
After visiting these places, we had a deeper understanding and appreciation of Hawkinsville. We felt that this was a town with rich history and culture, beautiful nature and scenery, enthusiastic people and vitality. We felt lucky and happy to be able to come here. We also felt proud and gratified to witness the changes and development here. This was my second day in Hawkinsville, and also my birthday.
This was my night hunting trip with my friends in Hawkinsville. This was an unforgettable journey, as well as a meaningful journey. It made me experience different cultures and sceneries, feel the beauty and mystery of nature, and also exercise my courage and skills. It also made me feel the benefits of infrared binoculars, which made me see more clearly, shoot more accurately, and enjoy more in the dark. It was a tool worth recommending, as well as a journey worth recommending. I want to say that if you have a chance, you must go to Hawkinsville, you must go hunting, you must use infrared binoculars. You will find that this is a new experience, as well as a new life.
