To my surprise, I recently got a message from a reader who hunts, is handicapped now, and shared with me that the memory of the best days in nature are brought to life by the stories and descriptions on our outdoor page. I suggest you read his words, whether you’re a hunter or not.
Not long ago I received an email from a gentleman reader in Pennsylvania who wrote the following.
“Sirs…I do not know who to address this to, but I want you to know what a blessing the hunting and fishing stories on the Press Pros Magazine website are to me. I’m 79 years old, I’ve been confined to a wheel chair for twelve years, and your website is my life line to the days when I was able to walk and hunt birds over my dogs. We had pheasants then and the greatest memories of my life were those of watching my dogs point and retrieve, and the thrill of watching a rooster flush and the sound of my old double barrel when I touched the trigger. I think about those days and reading Mr. Cappell’s stories brings tears to my eyes. Again, I don’t know who to thank specifically, but I wanted someone to know that the stories mean so much to me. God bless you, whoever you are.” … Gene
Gene did not include his last name, but his email came from the Hershey area, in eastern Pennsylvania. And frankly his sentiments brought tears to my eyes.
I’m pretty sure his reference was to a December encore post of a story written by former outdoor editor Tom Cappell, entitled The Last Hunt With Uncle Mel. And that story is still there, from December 17, 2025 (https://pressprosmagazine.com/2025/12/17/the-last-hunt-with-uncle-mel/).
But to you, Gene, whoever you are, I wanted you to know how much we appreciated your writing…how much I appreciate your sharing your own experiences, especially those with your dogs, and how wonderful is the passion of one whose love for hunting and fishing most Americans find disgusting.
These are people who’ve never known the relationship and loyalty of a trusted dog, as good a friend as one will ever find.
These are people who’ve never known the pride and respect for ownership of a fine shotgun, or the passage of knowledge about what it represents. And respect for the responsibility of, as you wrote, touching that trigger.
As you say, Gene, these are people who’ve never scented nature’s early-morning freshness, that sensation of frost in your nose. Vicks Sinex can’t touch it.
These are people who’ve never experienced the taste of a well-prepared pheasant…better than chicken…coupled with wild mushrooms, au grautin potatoes, and a glass of red Zinfandel. Easier to pick up takeout at KFC.
Many are the same people who write to the website complaining about how barbaric hunting is, without regard for how a steer is butchered or a Tyson chicken meets its demise – people who eat to eat, without respect for eating to live.
We’ve been fortunate at Press Pros to have had three outstanding men to share the outdoors through their words – Jim Morris, Tom Cappell, and presently Ray Reilly. Just as important, we’re fortunate to have an understanding and supportive sponsor in Olde English Outfitters president Evan English, who grew up with the same respect for the outdoors and its opportunities.
And Gene, I’ll share here a video clip from YouTube that another friend recently sent me as a reminder…those very seconds you wrote about and remember, when your dog does his job and the thrill of the hunt and harvest comes together.
I hope this brings a smile to your face, as your letter has brought to mine. As Ray Reilly ends his columns…’til next time, I’ve enjoyed it.
Sonny Fulks, Publisher…Press Pros Magazine
Olde English Outfitters proudly sponsors coverage of the outdoors on Press Pros Magazine.com.