For those of you who are accustomed to seeing outdoors stories only on Sunday, I wanted to call your attention to a story that ran on A1 Saturday.

It was about the incredible number of hunting dogs that get abandoned this time of year when the seasons come to a close.

It was a really depressing story to write. It gave me a new respect for the folks who work at animal rescue facilities. I don’t see how they stand dealing with so many mistreated animals every day. I couldn’t do it. I’d be down all the time.

But hopefully, some of the abandoned dogs will get adopted because of the story. When people visit the facilities to see the dogs, maybe they’ll take home a couple of cats, too.

As I stated in the story, most of the hunting dog owners I know treat their dogs like part of the family.

My grandfather kept bluetick hounds for deer hunting when I was young, and they ate supper every night before he did. My dad and I kept squirrel dogs for years, and they were as much pets as hunting dogs.

But there are still a lot of people out there who do it the wrong way.

Believe it or not, when the story was published Saturday, I got an e-mail from a guy who says hunting dogs never get abandoned. That’s what he said, NEVER.

I wonder what dream world that dude is living in? I’d like to buy some property there.

For those of you looking for the usual Sunday outdoors content, I’ve got you covered.

I’ve got a column Sunday on a potential price increase for the Federal Duck Stamp and a centerpiece story on the new crappie fishing regulations in Mississippi. I’ve also got a new monthly feature for private pond owners, courtesy of Southeastern Pond Management in Jackson, Tenn.

Let me know what you think of it all.