A Peaceful Day of My Life

I was up bright and early 4:30 AM. Have to say it was not so bright out yet. I just love to be in the woods before light. Had all my hunting gear, bow and clothes prepared the evening before. All I had to do was get ready and go.

I always enjoy my hike to my destination in the morning. The stars are still out. When you are out from any kind of city lights you see more than ever. I usually walk down a dirt road across a long field until I reach the woods.

This year there was field corn planted along the dirt road which we had checked out a few days earlier. I noticed a paw print. A bear track which was smaller than most. This meant there had been a bear cub there which would have included the mother close by.

Black bears are usually as anxious to get away from you as you are them unless they feel cornered. The worry here is if there are cubs involved and the mother feels that they are threatened she will attack . My biggest fear in archery season or anytime is having a bear cub walk up to me out of curiosity.

This morning I am walking down this road in the dark so I have to be extra aware and a little noisier than usual. I rarely have my light on because I tend to see better without it if that makes sense. When walking with the light on I can only see what's in front of me because my eyes are used to the light.

My husband and I have headlights you can strap on. They also have a bright white light or a red light which to me makes it easier to see. We went our separate ways and I started down the road whistling with my red head light on. I can almost see a joke there.

I reached my area I had scouted out earlier. It was chilly that morning. I always pack a couple layers of clothing in my backpack. Once I get to where I am going I then add more clothing, get myself comfortable and watch the sunrise.

I sat there about three hours when three deer came walking out of the brush onto the bench below. There were some trees in the way so I had to be careful. I had my bow sights set of the first deer when I whistled for her to stop. She did, right behind the tree. All I had was her head which I of course, would not shoot at. They started walking again so I set my sights on the second deer. I whistled, she stopped and I shot. I heard the arrow hit something and the three deer ran up past me and stopped for a second, then moved on. They had no idea where I was.

After they were out of sight I went down to mark where she had stood, looked for blood in that area and then found my arrow in a tiny tree which stood between deer and me. I was a bit frustrated but glad it was a clean miss.

It was such a beautiful day. I sat and watched the squirrels out gathering their food and scratch around. I saw turkeys and a couple deer too far off to shoot at. Couldn't complain about anything.

I watched as the sun set and decided to head back out across the field. Of course, it gets darker in the woods before out in the open field. There are still a lot of leaves on the trees although they are now in the process of changing into their beautiful colors of fall.

As I hiked back up the dirt road I saw the beautiful full moon just cresting the top of the mountain. It was a bright yellow and I stopped and tried to take pictures with my point and shoot camera without much luck.

As I approached the end of the corn field I remembered the possibility of running into a bear and had totally forgotten my light. Just then I heard a loud snort, then about ten yards from me a doe jumps out of the corn field clearing the dirt road and running away across the field. They are amazing animals.

After calming down from my near heart attack I had to laugh and then finish my walk to my truck.

So you understand about deer. They snort when startled. It is also a warning which I had gotten only too soon. Thank God it was not mother bear. After all, I am in their territory.

Except for that, that was one peaceful day of my life.