Page Title

Have You Had a Close Call?

Please submit your close call!

Please share your "close call, near miss, or narrow escape."

We invite you to submit your own true tale of a "close call, near miss, or narrow escape" you have experienced while hunting, fishing, or exploring. Stories can be serious, serious with a humorous component, or mostly humorous.

PURPOSE: To use a collection of "close call" stories combined with Biblical truths as a men's resource for personal devotions or small group Bible study.

CONTENT: Each story will be linked to Biblical references that relate to God's protection and intervention in times of crisis, threat, or uncertainty. Discussion questions/topics will be designed for each story. Illustrations will be used to highlight the book.

DRAFT BOOK INTRODUCTION: We carry guns, knives, and bows. We tread on uncertain and unforgiving terrain and waterways. We expose ourselves to the unpredictability of the elements. We do all this while intentionally placing ourselves in locations where help is hard to find. Risk surrounds us. Would we all agree, however, that an adventure without risk doesn't qualify as an adventure at all?

With risk, however, comes some degree of becoming one of-those seemingly abstract statistics. Statistics that quantify the reality of a misstep, wrong turn, momentary lapse in judgment, or miscalculation. It would be safe to say that most of us have shared "close call” and "near miss" stories with our hunting and fishing buddies. Beause you are able to actuall0y tell the story while still in one piece, the usual response is thoughtful concern followed by a round (or two) of nervous laughter. On the rare occasion when someone falls victim to serious injury or even death, it reminds all of us that situations can spin out of control. It's no laughing matter.

This new devotional will contain 40 to 60 stories gathered from outdoor enthusiasts like yourself. We are convinced that many of you while in pursuit of you passion for hunting and/or fishing have your own true tale to tell about a never to be forgotten "near miss" experience. We would very much like to hear about it.

As others use this devotional, yours and other stories will help remind readers of the times God spared them to track yet another deer, net another walleye, climb the next ridge, or sit with their dog while taking in God's wondrous creation.

WHAT TO DO? Write down the basic story with as many details as possible. If you wish, we will "ghost write" several drafts for your review and approval.

HOW TO SUBMIT? Please e-mail story and details to tom@rockdove.com.

WHAT THEN? Wait briefly for our prompt response. We will contact you directly to clarify

details and answer questions.

WHAT IF MY STORY GETS PUBLISHED? Expect a enthusiastic congratulatory letter with .

complimentary copies of the book as a thank you.

HERE IS A SAMPLE STORY!

It was one of those perfect fall days when the cloud cover was heavy, the wind was blowing, and the ducks were moving. I was home from college for the weekend and had one thing on my mind. Noting the wind direction I headed out to see if I could outwit some mallards that were cruising back and forth between the game refuge and area corn fields. I loved hunting. This was going to be fun.

Having asked permission from a friendly local farmer to hunt, I spread out the decoys over a small rise in the expansive picked cornfield. I quickly checked to make sure my vehicle was out of sight. Being convinced that it was I stepped back to survey the decoy spread. I quickly adjusted a few birds that had tipped in the wind. Feeling satisfied that no duck could resist my work, I snuggled up next to one of my goose silhouettes. Experience had shown me that a small flock of geese set off to one side was effective at times. Having placed the last few concealment corn stocks over my legs, I eagerly anticipated watching for the first distant wing beats. My concentration was keen. Little did I know that in a few minutes the farmer's son would be watching, too.

The birds were actively moving off the refuge looking to fill their crops before dark. The first few small flocks slowly drifted in my direction but would not commit. I was puzzled. Even my well practiced feeding call would only bring them in so far and they would simply fade away. My weathered duck call pleaded with each passing flock to give my field a look. No success. I must be losing my touch I thought. A little rusty from being at school all week I rationalized. Not wanting to come home empty handed I focused even harder as to not make any mistakes.

BANG!! A mind numbing blast from behind me broke the silence. Simultaneously, a head disappeared from the goose decoy only a few arm lengths away. The overwhelming noise was followed by a short silence followed by a stammering, panic stricken voice uttering, "I didn't know you were there." The next few minutes were punctuated by apologies and nervous explanations in a voice an octave or two higher than normal. As we both stood among the decoys (minus one), we recreated the incident.

The farmer's son, an infrequent hunter, had returned home unexpectedly and had noticed what he thought was a flock of geese feeding in their cornfield. In a hurry to get his gun and hunting jacket, he failed to let his dad know he was home. According to his story he crawled on his stomach with his gun in tow for over an half an hour being careful to keep his head down to avoid spooking the birds. Being tired, dirty, and anxious to not have his efforts go unrewarded, he kept his eyes peeled as he inched his way through the corn stocks. As soon as the first goose head rose over the horizon, he pulled the trigger. He admitted being momentarily puzzled why the remaining birds had not flown. As we both stood there next to each other with our backs to the wind, he described in a broken voice the sinking feeling he experienced when reality hit him.

The conversation continued for only a brief time as the wind was biting and daylight was fading. The day finally came to an end with some shared nervous laughter, an embarrassing walk back to the farmhouse for the farmer's son, and for me, no ducks, one less decoy, and a thankful heart for God's protection to hunt yet another day. As I picked up the decoys and headed back home, I gave new meaning and significance to the phrase "but for the grace of God."