Trucks

Many times, a hunter is only as good as his truck. Trucks get us to and from and through the woods. They haul in gear and haul out deer. They pull boats and trailers and whatever else might be needed for a hunting excursion. All hunters have a special bond with their truck and for good reason. During hunting season, our rears are parked in one of two places usually, the deer stand or the driver seat of our truck while we are on our way to the deer stand. I love trucks and I love the depth they can bring to a hunt. Stories of hunts gone by soak into the paint and shine through on frosty mornings. Trucks are replaceable, but the unique dents and scratches they acquire are not.

When I turned 15 years old I became obsessed with finding my first truck. I knew that I still had a whole year before I could drive it, but I couldn’t resist the urge to go ahead and find one. I had been saving up my cash from mowing yards and collecting birthday cards for a few years and was determined to find a truck. I didn’t care what brand, style, or year it was. I just wanted a truck. All my friends drove trucks and I saw it fit that this wannabe redneck with a passion for the outdoors should have one too. About a month before I turned 16 my dad woke me up early one Saturday and asked, “Do you have your cash?” I answered with an excited and expectant, “Yes!”

I was sure that dad had found a good deal somewhere around town and we were about to go pick up my first pickup. We walked outside, crossed the backyard, and knocked on my neighbors door. I was a little surprised at our destination because I knew that this neighbor did not own a truck, so we couldn’t buy one from him. However, he did own a 2000 Honda Accord that would soon become my first car. I was a little disappointed at first, but I grew to love that car. I figured I would drive it for a few years and then buy a more suitable vehicle that matched my personality and my hobbies. I’d go on to drive that Honda for seven more years and put nearly 100k miles on it over that period of time. I drove it through all of highschool, college and the first several months of my life as an adult, but once I landed my job with the Tennessee Wildlife Federation I knew that I needed a truck. So, my search for a pickup began once more after a long term relationship with my faithful sedan.

That moment when beginning to look for a truck again would mark the beginning of what I am sure will be an ongoing affair with four-wheel drive pickups. Over the past three years I have had in my possession four different trucks. After driving one vehicle for seven years, this much truck turnover has felt overwhelming to say the least. What I want to do here is list, in order of possession, those trucks and spend a little time breaking down my relationship with each. They all served a purpose and through owning each I have learned more deeply to appreciate them as a useful tool that can carry much sentimental value, but should also be treated like sand in my hands, because they don’t all last forever.

One thing you might notice about each of these is that they were all made by General Motors. I love GM trucks and even though some have given me more headaches than miles on the road I don’t see a time where I will not own one, but I know that could change over time.

1996 GMC Sierra (Ol Blue)

This is the truck that started it all, but I must admit that I did not buy this truck. My dad bought this truck in 2006 when it had just over 140K miles on it. It was a weekend warrior and it was there in that passenger seat that my love for hunting developed. I sat there and listened to dad tell stories, I took too many post-hunt naps to count, and looked out the window dreaming of big bucks. I loved that truck and I was thrilled when dad signed the title over to me as a college graduation gift. I used it for work a few times, as you can see in the picture above. It was old when dad bought it and almost an antique by the time he signed it over to me, but that 5.7l Vortec engine will probably still be running when I am dead and gone. I sold this truck to a friend of mine earlier this year and I am happy to report that it is still hauling deer out of the woods and serving all my hunting buddies from back home well, even though it is nearing 250k miles. This truck taught me to appreciate old things because they don’t all get to be old.

2005 Chevrolet Silverado

My gold truck was the first one that I actually bought with my own money. The iconic Cat-eye Chevy was always a favorite of mine growing up and I was over the moon to have my own. I paid $11,000 for it and thought my $130/month payment was going to “break the bank.” I paid off the note within 7-8 months and felt so proud of that. This truck had just enough creature comforts to be attractive and modern, yet not too many to feel as if it should be babied and kept off any off-road trails. I drove this truck for a year and a half and put 30k miles on it before it caught fire in the middle of the night while I was driving home for Thanksgiving with my wife, dog, and all my hunting gear along for the ride. We were lucky to get the flames subdued, thanks to the kitchen staff at the McDonalds in Harriman, TN. The alternator was what burst into flames and even though my mechanic made quick work in getting it fixed I was a little nervous to drive it again. So, I sold it shortly after and decided I should buy something newer if I were to be on the road as much as I am. This truck taught me that no matter how much you might love it, it will still break down in dramatic fashion.

2016 Chevrolet Silverado High Country

Now we’re talking! This truck caught my eye and it didn’t take much convincing to pull the trigger on this much newer and much shinier pickup. This truck has a 6.2l V8 with high end leather interior, bed liner and cover, and more bells and whistles than I knew how to operate. This was a spaceship compared to all my previous vehicles. As nice as this truck was, I really don’t have much else to say about it, because four days after I bought it a tornado pushed an oak tree right on top of it and totaled it. What a shame for such a shiny truck to be put underneath a mass and hardwood and acorns. My natural inclination to become attached to my vehicle diminished quickly after owning this truck for a solid five days. This truck taught me to be content with cloth interiors and lesser trim packages because chrome is no match for mother nature.

2018 Chevrolet Silverado LT

After a two month battle with insurance and the tornado incidence, I was able to purchase this beautiful red truck which I have really taken a liking to. It is newer than the white one and has less miles. It does not have the fancy interior or the big motor that I liked, or even all the bells and whistles, but I think I like this truck more regardless. So far, I have put over 20k miles on this truck in nine months of ownership. It has proven to be capable in the woods and has officially carried out its first deer! I am still learning what this truck might teach me, but I know from past experience it will be valuable, yet potentially painful and heartbreaking.

All these trucks have played important parts in my hunting journey and my overall life experiences. The biggest takeaway from owning each has been coming to understand the magnitude of their value and meaning at a philosophical level, but also the very real truth that they are all just pieces of metal fitted together for utilitarian purposes. They mean a lot and not so much all at the same time. I look forward to driving my next truck, though I hope I don’t have to search again for a while.

I wonder what color I will go with next?