In a way this was all too familiar. I had knee surgery a year ago, and not knowing recovery time, I put off my deer hunting licence. I had crutches, and braces, and knew I couldn't walk far in brambly trickery. The cooling weather raises the cougar in my blood, my eyes stereoscopic for a timed attack, I caught a glimpse of deer on a right of way almost home. I was carrying a rifle, and there was a dim road leading into the tract of woods (for sale) and I pulled over to see if I could 'sneak' up on them. I did. And in the tingle of blood convinced myself I could shoot and scoot and purchase the license and return to claim all that wonderful meat. I strained my knee dragging the deer to a safe spot. The owner heard the shot, and blocked my path. It didn't help that the battery connection failed and I couldn't start up. The one victory as he held me up with a pistol is that I feigned panic, acted nauseated, and carried my rifle into the woods and hid it pretending to vomit.
I had a cheaper one to turn in to the wardens when they got there. They were amazed at the shot with that old 30-carbine. I just looked bored and said, "I'm good."
The wardens said, You're not a bad person Mr. Moon, Just pay your fines, get you license, and do it right next time. I plead guilty to trespassing and they dropped the other charges. Turns out the man was a retired cop. He feeds the deer to comfort his sick wife. When blokes shoot at them, he rushes out and justifies his existence and becomes his wife's hero. The game people get an entrapment at no tax costs. Everyone happy but me...
They have a rag newspaper here called the Inquisitor that prints out all the misdeeds. I only heard back from one-
They still have my rifle (but I have quite a few more)
I found I couldn't shoot later. I have a little spot across the street where I feed and sit in a ground blind when the wind is from the north. I had two does who would come out. I had three chances to take one, but I couldn't. The deer were twins, sisters, I think. And the word sister had become too important to me to leave the other alone in the world...
I wonder If I'll be able to kill this year.
Damned dropping testosterone levels...
Comments
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Exquisite way with words and stories. I cannot relate exactly to your predicament but at one time was well on my way. I and my nephew of almost the same age were growing in our skills when he became terminally ill with Hodgkins disease. I have not been able to bring myself to hunt since he has passed. It was 'our' thing. RC
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Weeell, I have gotten eyes on 7 deer. Scope on 4. trigger pulls... zero. There will be someone who you can share hunting with. I hope they will realize what a big thing that will be...
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Ah you gentle heart ...
you discover your core in ways not always considered rational. God does weird things.
I love how you write. Every sentence of you carries provocative thoughts ... so many stories within your stories. And, as a true narrator, you let the reader in on your many secrets ... right into the fallible and not so fallible heart.
Love
Myra
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May the levels continue to drop...
Nice write, your compassion shines through. -
Paper targets
may be in your future.
I hope to go this year out behind the house. As easy as that sounds I seldom have the time. I have a cougar who took three calves over the last year I need to nail but again seldom have the time. The beaver are tearing the hell out of my black walnut trees at the pond, they need to go but I seldom have the time. I really hate retirement! I used to have a job and found the time when I needed it.
Jim
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