I and Bruce, Darnell Bessemer are college classmates, and we are both passionate about adventure and hunting. After graduation, we went our separate ways and haven’t seen each other for a long time. However, last month, we finally had a rare opportunity to go hunting together in Xiaoxita Forest Park in Yiling District, Yichang City, China. This is a place we have never been to before, and also a place full of mystery and charm.
For this trip, we made full preparations in advance. We brought enough clothing, food, water and medical supplies to cope with various situations that might arise. We also brought some professional hunting equipment, such as firearms, ammunition, knives, compasses, flashlights, etc. Most importantly, we brought two pairs of night vision binoculars and two pairs of infrared binoculars. These are essential equipment for hunting at night, which can allow us to see the target clearly in the dark, and also avoid being discovered.
We chose to hunt at night because we wanted to experience the excitement and fun that was different from the daytime. We knew that at night, there would be more animals active in the forest, and also more dangers and challenges. But this was exactly what we pursued. We wanted to feel the thrill of confronting the wildness, and also appreciate the beauty of nature under the moonlight.
Xiaoxita Forest Park is located in Yiling District, Yichang City. It is a comprehensive park that integrates ecological tourism, leisure vacation, science education and agricultural sightseeing. The park covers an area of about 3000 acres, with a forest coverage rate of 95%, which is a natural oxygen bar. The park has a variety of rare plants and animals, such as ginkgo, yew, crape myrtle, white crane, golden eagle, macaque, etc. The park also has some cultural landscapes, such as Xiaoxita Tower, Stone Tablet Forest, Folk Village, etc.
Xiaoxita Tower is the iconic building of the park. It is an ancient stone tower about 20 meters high, surrounded by a clear stream. It is said that this tower was built to commemorate an ancient famous doctor who cured many patients here. Around Xiaoxita Tower there is a sea of flowers with various colors of flowers, such as red roses, yellow chrysanthemums, purple lavender, etc. We took a lot of beautiful photos here and felt the historical weight.
Stone Tablet Forest is another feature attraction of the park. It is a forest composed of hundreds of stone tablets, each with different texts and patterns carved on it. Some are poems and songs, some are historical stories, some are folk legends. We carefully looked at each stone tablet and learned a lot about the knowledge and culture of Yichang and Xiaoxita Forest Park.
Folk Village is the last attraction of the park. It is a village that imitates the local rural style. There are various kinds of farmhouses, fields, livestock, etc. We participated in some interesting activities here, such as rock climbing, grass sliding, archery, horse riding, etc., and experienced the fun of rural life. We also tasted some local specialty agricultural products such as wild mushrooms, such as wild mushrooms, walnuts, chestnuts, etc., which were very fresh and delicious.
We spent three days and two nights in Xiaoxita Forest Park. During the day, we visited the scenic spots and enjoyed the natural scenery. At night, we went hunting in the forest and experienced the excitement and challenge. We saw many kinds of animals, such as deer, rabbits, pheasants, wild boars, etc. We also encountered some dangerous situations, such as being chased by a bear, being bitten by a snake, being lost in the dark, etc. But we managed to overcome them with our courage and wisdom. We also harvested a lot of prey, which we cooked and ate at our campfire.
This trip was one of the most unforgettable experiences in our lives. We not only had a lot of fun and adventure, but also deepened our friendship and understanding. We also learned a lot about the culture and history of Yichang and Xiaoxita Forest Park. We decided to come back here again in the future, and explore more secrets and wonders of this place.
We stayed in Xiaoxita Forest Park in Yichang for three days and two nights. During this time, we visited various attractions in the park and felt the beauty and charm of nature and culture. We also prepared some professional hunting equipment, including firearms, ammunition, knives, compasses, flashlights, etc. Most importantly, we brought two pairs of night vision binoculars and two pairs of infrared binoculars. These are essential equipment for hunting at night, which can allow us to see the target clearly in the dark, and also avoid being discovered.
We chose to hunt at night because we wanted to experience the excitement and fun that was different from the daytime. We knew that at night, there would be more animals active in the forest, and also more dangers and challenges. But this was exactly what we pursued. We wanted to feel the thrill of confronting the wildness, and also appreciate the beauty of nature under the moonlight.
The process of hunting at night was both tense and exciting. Every night, my classmates and I would rest for a while in the cabin, and then take our equipment to go hunting. The area where we hunted was deep in the park, where there was a vast grassland surrounded by dense forests. This was the habitat of many wild animals, and also our hunting paradise.
The first thing we had to do was to find a suitable observation point, usually some high ground or trees. Then, we would use night vision binoculars and infrared binoculars to observe and track wild animals. Night vision binoculars could let us see the target clearly in the dark, and infrared binoculars could let us see the target’s body temperature and movement trajectory. This equipment gave us more advantages and confidence.
In the process of observation and tracking, we encountered many kinds of wild animals, some of which we were familiar with, some of which we had never seen before. Some were gentle, some were fierce. Some were solitary, some were in groups. We chose the appropriate target and timing according to different situations, and carried out accurate and safe shooting.
In the process of hunting, we also experienced some thrilling and interesting things. Once, I found a huge wild boar hiding behind a big tree. I quietly approached it, ready to shoot. Just as I pulled the trigger, I suddenly heard a scream. It turned out that my classmate was startled by a squirrel. I was scared by his voice and shook my hand. The bullet did not hit the wild boar, but alarmed it. It immediately rushed towards me. I quickly ran away, luckily avoiding its attack. I looked back at my classmate, who was holding infrared binoculars and smiling smugly. I was furious, but I couldn’t help laughing.
Another time, my classmate found a beautiful peacock that spread its gorgeous feathers. He wanted to take a picture as a souvenir, so he took out his phone. He didn’t notice that there was a flash function on his phone. When he pressed the shutter, the phone emitted a strong light. The peacock was frightened by the light and flew up, making a sharp cry. This sound attracted the attention of other animals, and our surroundings suddenly became lively. We quickly packed up our equipment and left there.
After hunting, my classmates and I would feel hungry and tired. We would go back to the cabin, pack up our equipment, and then go to taste the local food. There are some restaurants and snack shops near Xiaoxita Forest Park in Yichang, which are run by local farmers. They offer some authentic Yichang specialties, which are made with fresh ingredients and traditional methods. We would try different dishes every time, and we felt very satisfied and surprised.
Among them, the most impressive one was a snack called radish dumplings. This is a kind of dumpling made with white radish, pork, cilantro and other fillings, and then fried in oil until golden and crispy. These dumplings have a crispy skin and a tender filling, and they are very refreshing to eat. We would order a large plate every time, with a bowl of vinegar and chili oil, and enjoy ourselves.
In addition, we also liked a dish called fried bacon with zha guang pepper. This is a dish made with Yichang’s specialty zha guang pepper and locally made bacon. It has a bright red color and a fragrant aroma. This dish is spicy and sweet, fat but not greasy, and very addictive to eat. We would have a bowl of rice every time, and eat it all in one breath.
Finally, we also tried a dish called white shacha fatty fish soup. This is a soup made with a kind of fish called white shacha from the Yangtze River and another kind of fish called fatty fish from the local area. This soup has a clear broth, tender fish meat, and a light and delicious taste. This soup has the effects of nourishing qi and blood, clearing heat and detoxifying, beautifying and nourishing the skin. We would drink a large bowl every time, feeling relaxed and comfortable.
This trip was an unforgettable experience for me and my classmates. We hunted in Xiaoxita Forest Park in Yichang, felt the fun and excitement of the night, and also appreciated the beauty and wonder of nature. We used night vision binoculars and infrared binoculars to observe and track wild animals, experiencing the thrill of confronting the wildness. We also tasted the local food, such as radish dumplings, fried bacon with zha guang pepper, white shacha fatty fish soup, etc., satisfying our taste buds and appetite.
This trip gave us a lot of gains. We not only enhanced our friendship, but also broadened our horizons, and exercised our body and will. We were very satisfied and grateful for this trip, and also full of expectations for future adventures. We hope to have the opportunity to go to Xiaoxita Forest Park in Yichang again, or other interesting places, to continue to look for more fun and challenges.
