The long day of hunting in nearby sloughs and lakes is over. The party has returned to the Lakeside Lodge and is inside resting, taking on refreshments and perhaps telling a tall tale or two. Can you hear the muffled laughter? The sign nailed to the lodge wall, “Last Chance-Inventory,” informs us that the owner understands what his hunting friends require. After many years of use, the tree has become the official place to stack guns, hang out wet clothing and repack shells and other gear. Every sportsman, the lodge owner knows, wants to be ready for the next day.