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 Quietly, an elusive shadow moves through the woods in Hickory County. One could only imagine if it's a deer or a hunter. Stepping along a faint trail that is almost invisible to see, a figure disappears within the cover of woodland growth. Before stepping out into the open, keen eyes search for the slightest disturbance of the natural surroundings. With the sun to her back, the vision is clear for this one, whose success depends in part upon the element of stealth. Her quiet progress is not only evident in the hunt itself, but may also be shown in the increasing number of her hunting constituents. She is no longer an occasional bystander or tag along pronoun stumbling through the deer woods. She has consistently scouted and tracked in this particular area which has also given her an edge in knowing when and where the deer move. Up ahead in a grove of cedars, a tree stand sways slightly in the breeze. Will the wind give away her position? Ignoring the doubts of her limited experience, she gathers her new found independence and carries it up the steps with her. Seating herself beneath scented evergreen branches, she waits.
The memory of my first venture into the woods alone fades away as I prepare for another trek through the timber, only this time it is in search of turkey. I think about how blessed I am to be in a family who appreciates hunting as well as the reverence for the Maker of the creatures we hunt. Never mind the insecurity of having yet to bag the turkey I aimed my shotgun at, or for the so close but not a clean kill shot I had to pass with my bow. Maybe these losses will bring me to surrender a greater appreciation when God gives that moment of success to me.
When I first started hunting, it was an adventure and a friendly competition with my husband. The next step I took was bow hunting. It is the bow that brings me the greatest satisfaction. The combination of success in target shooting with my husband and finally finding the right fit in a Parker Challenger bow has helped me build confidence and tune my abilities. Today I know I will see another of God's creatures. I may or may not have the opportunity to take that first turkey, though it is now coincidental, as I know eventually that day will come. It is other priceless gifts like discovering the wonders of nature so close that continue to reward and thrill my soul. The anticipation of a new hunt folds into patience as I am distracted by a couple of squirrels chasing each other beneath me. In the distance, heads bob through the brush bringing that chirping sound toward me as well as a loud gobble.
The quiet explodes with continuous noise as they all call at once. Dare I breathe? As I prepare myself, I recall the quiet concentration that I settle into when taking aim upon a practice target. I relax into the shot with a deep breath and pick my spot. Then when I've chosen a place on the target, I release in confidence as a reassuring thump shows an accurate hit. If only! The pressure of real live game in my sites somehow upsets my deliberate attempt to be calm and focused, let alone a smooth draw and release. No matter how much practice I've given myself to, the moment of an encounter like this is unnerving!
 I wait...breathless...sitting stone still...perched in draw ready position in anticipation of their inevitable arrival within my sites. They are closer than I expected and following in behind the hens are two toms. I take a deep breath and draw, but I cannot site the tom without turning and he is still coming closer. I have to turn to get a shot at him through the branches beneath me. Their heads bob up and they all freeze. An eerie moment of silence is spent staring into a mass of watchful eyes and then my window is gone. With a single alarm, the largest tom peeps an exit call and they all answer as they follow him at a dead run retracing their steps away from me. I had missed an opportunity, although I'm not sure how I could have been able to drop him without giving away my position. Maybe if I build up my endurance I could hold at full draw longer next season. Should I have waited for him to pass and then attempted to draw on him? More than likely I wouldn't have been satisfied if I had not taken that chance when I did. It has been a hunt of disappointing result though I will not leave the woods empty handed. As I reach the ground, my shadow rests beside a black tipped tail feather whose owner still eludes me. A trophy? No, but an unforgettable piece of his unharmed display.
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