i consider myself very lucky to be here tonite to write this !

i broke a cardinal rule of hunting safety this morning and it could have turned out
very badly. we finally got some snow last nite,about 2 inches,and i decided a coyote
hunt was in order.got up at 4:30 ,dressed warm,and took off on the 4-wheeler.

I DIDN'T TELL ANYONE WHERE I WAS GOING ![stupid ,i know]

temp was around 18 deg. with some wind. i rode about 2 1/2 miles and went down a dead end road to get back in the sticks.everything was ok so far,i was warm and expecting a good hunt. got set up looking down a right-of-way for the new 4 lane highway the state is building.i sat there for almost an hour in the cold without any luck.

this is where it gets tricky. i hadn't eaten any breakfast but did drink 2 cups of coffee
and i started to feel jittery/nervous.the cold was starting to work on me too. the walk back to the atv warmed me back up some but i was starting to worry. i have a slight problem with anxiety attacks occasionally and usually carry nerve pills with me, but as
i expected no problems since yote hunting is fun for me....i didn't have any.

anxiety attacks can cause shortness of breath and dizzyness and i was scared i would pass out [although i never have ]. i had my cellphone but i didn't want to wake my wife and scare her to death.plus,with the roads so slick she prolly would end up in a ditch trying to get to me.sooo...i headed for home , my forehead and hands were freezing and i was hyperventilating most of the way !almost stopped at a couple different houses to get help . i just kept telling myself i was fine and kept riding.
i made it home and stumbled in the door where i was met by my wife[Becky]
i said i'm in trouble and almost went down.she was freaking out.i said just get me warm....i was shaking like a leaf .

i finally warmed up and calmed down but i still feel jittery yet tonite. i may be getting sick. i usually have more panic attack when i get sick....in fact being sick is what caused me to start having them about 5 years ago.but thats another story



think safety at all times !!! even minor things !!! my situation turned out okay this time but it could easily have went the other way !!!

gary[DK][/align]