DECEMBER 2018 • NEBRASKAland 39
the late 1990s when I was in a goose
pit for the first time. From glancing
over to Sawyer and hearing his simple
declaration "this is cool," I could tell
that he was getting the same feeling.
When Olson was not working to
lure geese with the variety of calls
hanging from his neck, he was sharing
his hunting expertise and stories of
past hunting trips. Perhaps it was
Issy, his 9-year-old yellow Labrador
retriever, who worked hardest. Despite
her age, she retrieved like a champion,
although appearing to be a little
annoyed with Olson's 4-month-old pup
Roxie, also a yellow Lab, shadowing
alongside.
Even though we thought we were
in for a warm day with blue skies, we
were instead greeted with a goose-
hunt-friendly mix of clouds, stiff north
winds and temperatures not quite warm
enough to melt the blanket of snow
surrounding us. The geese kept us busy
and several big flocks of mallards also
flew high overhead.
With the last goose of a three-man
limit downed, evening sunlight casting
a long shadow from Chimney Rock,
and smiles on our faces, we headed
back north for Chadron. I know the
experience will not be forgotten any
time soon, especially by the youngest
hunter in the blind that day.
Later that evening, as Sawyer and
I were making one more memory for
the day with knives in hand, I was
thankful for the great resource of tasty
meat provided from hunts such as
this and a hunting heritage that helps
bond generations. Perhaps I am most
thankful, though, for hunters such as
Larry Olson who find enjoyment in
sharing that experience and are so
eager to do it. ■
Larry Olson, along with puppy Roxie, poses for a photo with guests Justin and Sawyer Haag.