I kicked him up several times during the trek but only caught
glimpses of the stubborn, brave, noble deer; until, willing himself
to his hooves one last time, he started hobbling away. I fired again.
He dropped onto the white ground eighty yards ahead. As I neared I
could see he was still breathing and staring defiantly in my
direction. I walked close, fired my last bullet and ended my season
with his life. My watch showed three-fifteen but tonight I learned it
was running thirty-minutes slow. I won’t change the tag.
I was kneeling, filling out the ear tag when I heard, “Did you get
him, Keith?” I knew by the sound of his voice it was my friend’s
neighbor, Jack. He stood between two trees a hundred feet to my
right. I said, “Yes I did, Sir.” Jack said good job and walked away,
perhaps thinking I was saying a prayer of thanks. I was. I also drank
my last cup of coffee and smoked half a cigarette before getting off
my knees.
I had brought a camera and took a few less painful shots before field
dressing the buck—an eight-point. The latex gloves I carried in my
pack saved me from scrubbing my hands with snow. I saved the heart in
a plastic baggy; will pickle it in memory of Grandpa Whalen.
I dragged the buck to the front yard of my friends and visited a few
moments. Rene helped load it into my truck. I thanked him for
allowing me once again to harvest food for my family and another fine
memory from his land. I will return with a more proper expression of
my gratitude after butchering. _______________________________________________ Homestead list and
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