You wanna hear something funny?  Well, this evening I retrieved the mail, a bulky bunch bound with a rubber band.  Part of the reason there was so much bulk was that there was a rather large envelope with the following large black captalized letters on its outside:  WE’RE LOOKING FOR PEOPLE TO TEST HUNTING PRODUCTS!  (And, Keep All Test Products FREE!)  RESPONSE REQUESTED  (Within 10 Days Please).

I could hardly believe my eyes, or suppress my laughter.  In fact, I didn’t suppress my laughter.  And the mirth continued to build as I opened the envelope to discover the deputy director of an organization titled North American Hunting Club addressing me as “Dear Fellow Hunter.”  He went on to tell me in this 10 x 15, 4-sided epistle that the reason I’d been nominated to be in the club was that “it’s no secret among your friends and family that you’re a dedicated hunter” and “as someone who is devoted to the sport” I was exactly the kind of person his club is always looking for!  For just $1 a month I would receive hunting gear to test and then keep, the members-only magazine and free “welcome aboard” gifts, a free hunting directory, the exclusive e-mail newsletter, and the ability to preview hunting books or DVDs before others saw them.

The real reason I found this offer so amusing was not only the impeccable timing of its reception, it was the free stuff that both accompanied the offer in the envelope and was promised if I joined.  As I dumped out the contents I found a hunting license holder (boy, I coulda used this a month ago) and two decals called “Big Buck” and “Club” to put in the window of my car.  Oh, yeah, I almost forgot the camo colored official member key-chain. 

And then there were the three gifts I’d receive after I actually sent in my reply for membership:  The “Wild Bounty Cookbook” with 100 easy to make recipes for every type of game (including whitetail deer), The Field Knife Set, and best and most ironic of all, the “Whitetail Pursuit” DVD with heart-pounding coverage of whitetail hunts, valuable whitetail hunting tips, and expert advice to help locate, hunt, and tag bucks.

Are you laughing yet, with me, I mean?  If not, try this final rib-tickler at the bottom of the last page of the letter:  “P.P.S.  And remember, your FREE Bonus Gift of Venison Seasoning will be sent in your Member Welcome Kit.”

I’m about to fall off my chair here.  How about you?