Chapter 3

Roy and his father hunted all year long. But their favorite time of year was in early February. The mornings were still cool, the deer hunters were all gone, and it was probably the best time of the year to hunt hogs. Weeks before the first weekend of February, they would prepare everything for hog hunting. Sam would lay everything out in the barn that he owned related to hog hunting. Roy and Bandit were always there. This was the time of the year when he would open up his new toys and gadgets. 

As the world evolved, so did hunting. Over the years, dogs have become huge investments, and a good dog can breed, and the puppies can be worth thousands. The hunters would put large collars and stab-proof vests on the dogs to keep them from getting stabbed by the tusks or cutters on the boars. They even put GPS collars on the dogs to keep track of them once they are turned loose to look for a boar.

Even though they have GPS and stab-proof vests, that doesn’t always keep them safe. Most of the time, if the hunters are not nearby, a giant boar could take on three or four dogs and hold its own. When that happens, the dogs usually require stitches or staples. Every hunter that uses dogs gets really acquainted with putting a staple or using a needle and thread on their dogs. 

As Sam laid out everything, he told Roy, “Come over here, son. I have something for you. You just turned twelve a few months ago, and I’ve been thinking about how much you love to hunt with me. And your mom and me have decided to get you your own hog knife. I think it’s time you get your hands dirty. I know you’ve been there with me many times as we’ve killed hogs, but from now on, I won’t be right by you every minute. It’s time you walk on your own two feet and handle business. What do you think about that?”

“Yes, sir. I’m ready. I’ve been ready. You know I can do it all. I can track just as good as any dog we have. Bandit is the only dog we have that can do it better than me. But other than him, I can do it just as good as any other pup we have. Not only can I track them, but I know exactly what to do.”

“You’re a damn good tracker, and you know ninety percent of what it takes to do this. But you are still young, and some lessons are only learned when you are in the sticks if you know what I mean.”

“Yes, sir. I do.”

“Well since you are a man now, we thought it was time you had your own pig sticker. So here you go, son,” Roy’s dad handed him a box about three inches wide and at least twelve inches long. 

Roy started to pull the paper off the box, and he knew what it was before he even unwrapped it, but once that paper was off the box and the box was in his hands, Roy held it for a moment and savored the day. His family was not big on presents, and he knew this was one of those times when his dad was telling him that he was no longer a boy. Once he opens this box, he puts that sheath through his belt loops and slides that blade down in there, saying that it’s time to say goodbye to being a kid and welcome manhood. 

The box was taped up by his mom, and Roy had to use his fingernails to break the seal on all four sides of the box. Then he held the top of the box with one hand and the bottom with the other as the two pieces separated. The knife was still hidden in a cloth when the top was finally separated from the bottom. Roy pulled the fabric away, and the knife was snuggly locked into the sheath. Roy put the boxes down and picked up the knife. He pulled it out of the sheath and held it in front of his face, admiring the smooth Damascus finish on the blade and the handle that looked to be made out of some bone with turquoise blended in with it. The blade was at least eight inches long, and the handle was four inches long. 

After looking over the knife and admiring the quality, Roy put it back in the sheath and gave his dad the biggest hug he had ever given him. The two men embraced, and they had a father-and-son moment. Sam shed a tear, and Roy had to wipe his eyes more than once. Bandit was right there by their feet, and once they finished embracing, they both leaned down and petted Bandit.