After weeks with my 13-year-old grandson scouting and planning to go hunting this year, it seemed as if everything was going as planned.
I went out and purchased two new ladder stands and surprised my grandson with one. He said he could not wait to set it up and get ready for the first day of buck season.
On the Sunday after Thanksgiving, we went to the woods in the afternoon to set up the stands. We left around 3 p.m. to come home. Upon arrival to our tree stands the next morning, we were really shocked. Someone had taken apart the bottom 5-foot section of both tree stands. The look on my grandsons' face was like the world fell apart, and he asked why do people have to be so rude and hurtful.
I explained things to him, and he said it was OK - we would still hunt and enjoy the day together. This happened on state game lands up by St. Joan of Arc Church. I do hope that the person or persons who did this can one day realize that if it were to happen to him and his child or grandchild, how he might feel.
My grandson and I enjoyed the entire day together anyhow, and that's all that matters.
I do know that from today on we will be using climbing tree stands and the next time that person will have to take me along with the stand.
Michael McGraw, Altoona
