It was dark but Kory heard his Dad strike a match to light the gas lantern. A warm orange glow filled the tiny camper and the lantern hissed as it came to life. Good morning buddy. said Dad. Are you ready to get that big buck today? You bet! said Kory as he hurried out of his sleeping bag and started to dress.
Kory had waited for this day long time. For as long as he could remember, he had wanted to go deer hunting with his dad. Every fall he begged his dad to take him along but he had always been too young.
Now Kory was twelve years old. He had taken the gun safety class that fall and he was old enough to go on the hunt.
Breakfast was ready. Kory had some juice, a muffin and a bowl of hot cereal. Dad said that would stay with him longer in the cold weather.
The sun would not come up for more than another hour but it was time to get ready to go into the woods. Kory pulled on his new blaze orange coveralls and parka. He had tried them on many times before but this time he could wear them all day. He knew the bright orange color would help keep him safe in the woods. Other hunters would see it and know where he was, but deer see everything in black and white and would see the orange color only as white. With fresh snow in the woods, Kory would blend right in.
The two hunters were almost ready. They put on orange stocking caps and gloves and stepped out of the camper into the cold darkness.
Korys dad turned on his flashlight and opened the door of their pickup truck. From behind the seat he pulled two long cases. He laid them on the seat, unzipped them and pulled out their rifles. He handed one to Kory. Be careful now. said Korys dad. Remember everything you learned in the gun safety class. I will. said Kory.
Kory held the rifle with the muzzle pointing up. It seemed heavy but Kory knew he could shoot it. He had gone target shooting with his dad many times that summer. Kory checked the safety to make sure it was on and would not accidentally fire. His dad held the flashlight and watched while Kory carefully loaded the bullets into the weapon. Then Kory held the flashlight so his dad could load his rifle.
Korys dad reached into the pickup and pulled out a bag. Inside were candy bars for each of them in case they got hungry before lunch. Kory put two in his pockets then looked at his watch. It was still an hour before sunrise. He look at the sky. Millions of stars twinkled in the blackness, but off to the east, towards the horizon the darkness was turning to the blue of daybreak. It was time to start into the woods.
Kory and his dad put their rifles slings on their shoulders. Using their flashlights, they found the entrance to the trail that would take them to their stands. Korys dad turned to him, Remember, be as quiet as you can and move slowly he said. Ducking under branches and stepping carefully over snow covered logs, the two slowly made their way through the woods. Twisting and turning, up and down hills and around swamps and thickets the two went in silence.
At last Kory could see one big hill looming in front of them in the darkness. They followed the trail up the hill to where three trees stood alone at the top of the slope. Well son, heres your spot said Korys dad as they reached the trees. Do you know how to get back to the camp? Yes sir, said Kory knowing he could follow the trail back to the camper if needed. Ok, said Dad. If you get cold head back. Im going to be on the next hill over there. Well be able to see each other once it gets light. Uh huh, said Kory. Korys father turned to start down the trail. Dad, said Kory. His father turned back. What is it son? Kory paused. Good luck Dad, he said. Korys dad smiled. You too son, and shoot straight ok? Ok, said Kory.
Kory stood close to one of the three tall trees and watched the beam of his dads flashlight as his father made his way along the trail, down the slope of one hill and up the next. When his father reached his stand, the flashlight was turned off and the woods were left in darkness.
Kory felt like he was all alone. He looked to the eastern sky. Above the treetops the sky was turning from black to blue. He was glad. Even though Kory knew his dad was not far away, it was still a little scary in the darkness. Kory took his rifle off his shoulder. He pulled back the bolt to load a bullet into the chamber, then shoved it forward again. Then he felt to make sure the safety was on. Now there was nothing left to do but wait.
Slowly the darkness surrounding Kory turned to gray. Almost before he realized it, Kory could make out the shapes of trees. He looked over at the next hill and seen his dad. His blaze orange parka stood out against the background of white snow and dark trees. Kory felt better. He slowly turned his head. He knew any sudden moves could alert a deer to his presence. From the top of his hill, Kory could see all around. Everything looked black and white. Fresh snow covered the ground and branches of trees. The snow cover muffled all sounds in the woods making it seem very quiet. Kory wiggled his toes inside his boots to keep them warm. He listened and watched hoping to hear a twig snap or see the movement of a deer heading his way. But all around him the woods were quiet and still.
The sun was climbing higher in the sky. Kory was getting tired and cold. He had been standing for hours and all he had seen were two squirrels and a loud woodpecker that flew from tree to tree looking for food. Kory sat down on the tree stump next to the tree he had been standing by all morning. His toes were getting cold and he began thinking about walking back to the camper to warm up. Kory started turning his head to see what his dad was doing when he heard a branch snap. Kory froze. His eyes darted from side to side but he could see nothing. The, to his left, Kory heard more branches rustling. Slowly he turned his head in the direction of the noise. There it was! A buck was slowly walking down the hill about one hundred yards to Korys left. The deer was heading into the shallow valley which ran directly in front of the hill Kory was on.
Kory slowly stood up, staying behind the tree so the deer wouldnt see him. He was careful not to make any noise, Keeping his eyes on the buck, Kory felt for the safety on his rifle and eased it off. The rifle was ready to fire. Korys heart was beating fast.
The buck reached the bottom of the hill and turned into the valley towards Kory. The big animal was unaware it was being watched. Every few steps it would lower its head to the ground. It was sniffing for the scent of a female deer or another buck intruding into its territory.
Kory slowly brought his rifle up to his shoulder, steadying it against the trunk of the tree. He looked through the scope sight. The buck looked large. Kory counted the points on the bucks antlers. There were six of them, three on each side!
The buck came closer, weaving through the trees, 75 yards, 70 yards, 65 yards away. On it came, 60, 55, now 50 yards away. The buck stopped. It raised its head and looked around, its nose in the air sniffing for danger. Kory held his breath. The buck took another step and stopped. Kory centered the cross hairs of the scope sight just below and in front of the deers shoulder. The buck continued sniffing the air. It had smelled something. Kory slowly squeezed the trigger.
BANG! The rifle slammed back into Korys shoulder. The buck jumped. Kory lost sight of it in the scope sight. He raised his head and watched as the buck fell, its front legs crumpling beneath it. The echo of the rifle shot rolled from hill to hill as the animal struggled to its feet. Kory fumbled with the bolt action on the rifle, hurrying to load another bullet. The buck, stumbling, began to run up the hill. Kory pulled the bolt back and the spent brass casing flew out to the side. He shoved it forward, loading another bullet into the chamber. The buck was moving quickly even though it had been shot. Kory brought the rifle to his shoulder again and tried to find the buck in the scope sight. Shaking, he caught sight of the animal just as it reached the top of the hill. Kory quickly squeezed the trigger. BANG! The rifle roared but the buck was already out of sight over the ridge on the top of the hill.
Kory stood looking at the spot where the buck had vanished. The echo of his second shot rolled off the nearby hills then faded. Once again the woods were quiet. Kory suddenly realized his knees were shaking and his arms were trembling. His heart was beating fast. Kory took a deep breath. He ejected the spent shell from his rifle, loaded another bullet and put the safety on. He wanted to run and chase the buck but his father had warned him a wounded animal will keep running if it thinks its being followed. So Kory stayed where he was. He looked towards his father and was glad to see the orange clad figure making his way to him.
Kory wanted to yell I got him, I got him! but he kept quiet until his dad got closer. Did you see him Dad? I shot him! Yes, said his father. It was a good shot too. I dont think hell run far. But lets sit and wait for a few more minutes to give him a chance to stop running.
Korys dad sat down on the stump. Kory began to look around on the ground. What are you looking for? asked his dad. the bullet casings. I want to save them! answered Kory. One of them is the bullet I shot my first deer with! Korys dad laughed and started looking too. Soon they found them, two bright brass bullet casings laying in the snow. Kory stuck them in his pocket.
Well, lets go see if we can find your deer, said Korys dad. Ok! said Kory. The two slowly and quietly started down the hill to where the buck had been standing when Kory fired his first shot.
They found the bucks tracks in the snow. There was a bright red spot and bits of brown fur where the buck had fallen. the tracks continued up the hill. Well follow his trail but try to be quiet so we dont spook him if hes still alive. said Korys dad.
Kory followed his dad as they made their way up the hill. Every few feet Kory noticed deep red splotches in the snow. The trail was easy to follow. They came to the top of the hill and there, just over the crest, the buck lay on its side in the snow.
Hes a beauty! said Korys dad as they walked up to the fallen animal. I told you he wouldnt run far. Kory looked at the buck laying still in the snow. He remembered how big and noble the animal looked as it walked toward his stand. Now, here it lay at his feet. Kory was quiet. Whats the matter son? asked his dad. I feel king of sad, replied Kory. Thats ok Kory. I think I know how you feel. It does feel kind of sad to take the life of such a beautiful creature but remember the ways of the wild. Its survival of the fittest. Remember, God put man on the earth to manage all the living things including the animals. If man didnt hunt, soon there would be too many deer and there wouldnt be enough food for them. Many would starve to death in the winter. More deer would suffer for a long time if man didnt manage the number of deer through hunting. Besides, son, were going to use this animal. Your shot will provide food on our table for a long time. You can be proud of that. Kory felt better. He remembered the delicious venison steaks and jerky he liked so well. He looked at the animal. He is a beauty isnt he? asked Kory. He sure is son. replied his dad. Can I hang his antlers in my room? asked Kory. I think theyll look mighty fine in there, said his dad. Now, lets get this big boy ready and take him home.