Rutherford Weekly

Thursday, December 29-January 4, 2023 www.rutherfordweekly.com 828-248-1408 Rutherford Weekly - Page 9 Email: Email: events@rutherfordweekly.com events@rutherfordweekly.com Mail or Drop-Off: Mail or Drop-Off: 157 W Main St, • Forest City, NC 28043 157 W Main St, • Forest City, NC 28043 *Publisher has fi nal decision of which photos appear in print, per available space. We Want Your Kids Sports Photos! •Basketball •Baseball •Softball •Soccer •Archery •Equestrian •Etc! We Want Your Outdoor Photos! We Want Your Outdoor Photos! Hunting, Fishing, Playing Ball, Etc. Hunting, Fishing, Playing Ball, Etc. Sportsman's Corner Sportsman's Corner Email: events@rutherfordweekly.com Mail: 157 W Main St., Forest City, NC 28043 Phone: 828-248-1408 *Publisher has the fi nal decision of which photos appear in print, per available space. I've always considered myself a prepared hunter. Some would say over prepared. I very rarely go into the woods without my backpack. During the colder months, this is especially true. Since I'm never sure as to what the weather will bring, I take just about everything. My backpack is over three-thousand cubic inches. I strategically place additional clothes in it or strapped to it. The nooks and crannies are stuffed full of other things like snacks, a drink, glasses, a book, paper, and pen. And there's also my umbrella and rain gear. In addition to all of this, I carry a fanny pack as well; full of calls, scents, rope, compass, trimmers, and anything else that suits my fancy. Now some of you are already laughing at my overkill. You're not the fi rst. I've never weighed my gear, but I fi gure it really doesn't matter because the burden of the load is a small price to pay to be a more prepared, and even satisfi ed, hunter. Sometimes the weight is cumbersome but as the season progresses it eventually becomes almost unnoticeable. Some of you are carrying a load of a different kind. It's a burden that weighs on your heart and mind. It may be one you have caused, or one you had nothing to do with. These burdens come through all sorts of circumstances, from sickness, the concern over a child, the loss of a job, divorce, or a host of other things. Your mind is questioning the purpose of such a burden and the devil is quick to answer your question by casting the guilt squarely in your lap and telling you, "If you had only (fi ll in the blank) this would have never happened, and now God will abandon you to suffer the consequences alone." The Bible is clear about the devil and his ways. It says he is the father of lies and his purpose is to destroy your faith by causing you to doubt and disbelieve God. The truth of the Scriptures assures us of several things. They tell us we are loved by God, He will never leave us, and He has promised to bring good to our lives even in the midst of our burdens. He has also promised peace. Having peace many times, doesn't come from the burden being taken away, but by changing our mind concerning it. My backpack was not a burden because I knew in my mind it would make me better prepared. The weight was the same, but my mind counted it worthwhile. What you may need right now is not your burden removed, but only to see it from God's perspective. It is not bigger than He is. In fact, it is simply a tool in His hands to prepare you for what He is making you to be. Ask God to give you peace in your trial. He will give it in such a way, it will surprise even you. By By Gary Miller Gary Miller Aiming Outdoorsmen Toward Christ GARY MILLER Gary has written the Outdoor Truths article for 20 years. He has also written four books which include compilations of his articles and a father/ son devotional. He also speaks at wild-game dinners and men's events for churches and associations. gary@outdoortruths.org Chase High School Senior Reagan McCranie signed to play football at Duke Wednesday morning. Pictured with McCranie are (front row, left to right) sister Sydney McCranie, mother Kim McCranie, Reagan McCranie and father and CHASE Offensive Line Coach Jeff McCranie; second row — Chase head coach Chris Cogdill, Athletic Director Daniel Bailey and Principal Kevin Bradley. McCraine signs to play at Duke Article Provided By: Jean Gordon. Photo Contributed. According to data from the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are traditionally the most active hunting days of the year. Fishing is also popular, from the mountains to the coast. Enjoying the outdoors with friends and family is a great way to spend quality time together, but it's imperative to not become complacent about safety, especially when using fi rearms or in a vessel. "Before you head out the door to hunt or fi sh, it's important to make sure you have everything you need for an enjoyable and successful outing on land or on the water. Keep safety as your number one priority so you can continue to make memories for many years to come," said Captain Branden Jones of the agency's Law Enforcement Division. Jones offers these basic safety tips: • Let someone know your whereabouts and an approximate return time. • Always practice fi rearm safety and point the muzzle in a safe direction. • Be aware of your surroundings, especially when preparing to shoot. Ensure that there aren't any houses, vehicles or people in front of or behind your target. • Wear an article of clothing featuring blaze orange when hunting. When boating, always wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved personal fl oatation device. • Do not consume alcoholic beverages before or during hunting or boating. A more in-depth review of safety precautions is available on the agency's Home From The Hunt™ webpage. Review the 2022-2023 Inland Fishing, Hunting and Trapping Regulations Digest to learn seasons, bag and creel limits, county-specifi c rules and more. There's No Place Like the Outdoors Article by: ncwildlife.org. Always point the muzzle of your fi rearm in a safe direction, and wear blaze orange when deer hunting. WEEKLY NEWSPAPER 828.248.1408

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