In times like these it should be the season of Thanksgiving with a lot of turkey and dressing followed by a big piece of pumpkin pie; however, many today find themselves in troubled waters with very little hope on the horizon. I feel it is in the storms of life when we discover the true value in the treasures we have. Spring brings life back to the slumbering trees of winter, likewise it is your faith that better times will return that sustains you through the storm. I know I’m sounding melancholy but come along as we discover things to be thankful for.

For the hunters in the audience be thankful because there are reports that the deer in some parts of Oklahoma are overpopulated. According to Sean Hubbard, Communications Specialist with the OSU Agriculture Communications Services, deer become a pest once they get past a certain population point. Archery season in Oklahoma has been open since Oct. 1 and runs through Jan. 15, 2009. The bulk of the deer harvest will come during the first weekend of gun season, which opened Nov. 22 and runs for 16 days.

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) manages and maintains 64 areas named Wildlife Management Areas or (WMA). A WMA provides public access for hunting and are located throughout the state offering a variety of hunting adventures including waterfowl hunting, trophy whitetail or a bobwhite quail.

Public Hunting Area (PHA) Areas where most forms of wildlife harvest are permitted under statewide hunting, fishing, and furbearer regulations, unless specific regulations for the area indicate otherwise. So before you just grab the gun and take off shooting you need to check the WMA general regulations and the PHA restrictions for each specific area. Go to www.wildlifedepartment.com/wmastate.htm.

Ok you’re not a hunter and it’s getting colder so what better time to go find a great hiking trail? I prefer hiking when it is colder because the under brush has died away but more importantly the snakes have gone into hibernation.

The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge near Lawton has four hiking trails offering hours of relaxing and sometimes challenging excursions. Try the 2-mile Elk Mountain Trail through Charon Gardens Wilderness Area around the west end of Elk Mountain that snakes past the 25-ft. Post Oak Falls. Or travel down near Wilburton to experience Robber’s Cave 12-mile network of trails passing the mouth of the park’s namesake cave and through large boulders. There are many backpacking trails located across this great state providing great outdoor experiences to be thankful for.

I took my own advice this past weekend and took my 18-year old son Trevor to the OU-Texas Tech football game. We had a great day together and it will be times like these we will always remember. This got me to thinking about the one gift we each should treasure and it is time itself. If not already it will happen to you soon enough; your child will no longer sit on your lap and you’ve read your last bed time story. One day you take them to a game then you blink and your child is graduating from high school, and then moving out. You find yourself crying in their empty bedroom realizing how fleeting time truly is. Was your time with them spent wisely or will that moment find you in regret?

Consider this a wake up call to take time this Thanksgiving and evaluate your priorities to see who or what tops your list. It is family, friends and most importantly how we spend our time that we should value the most as we celebrate this Oklahoma Thanksgiving holiday. Put down the turkey leg and go outside to play catch with your child being thankful for times like these.

Rocky Anderson’s column appears on Fridays. Send your comments or ideas to Ra101460@yahoo.com or reach him by phone at 351-5545.