I was going through some old college papers and found this story I wrote for an English class. This is a hunting trip when I was stationed in Alaska a few years back. Reading it again brought me back to that day. I hope you enjoy it. I was a criminal investigator for the Army, and hunting was the ultimate stress relief.
This is Hunting
The leaves rustled and sticks broke. I froze and lowered myself to one knee. My recurve bow, which had become an extension of my arm, swung to the ready. The wooden arrow, crafted by my own hands, was put in place. The razor sharp broadhead, had been stropped to a finely honed edge. It was ready to be launched into my quarry. I was very aware of the primitive tools that I had in my hands. My ancestors had used this tool for generations and had been successful, taking game and protecting themselves.
“I’m heading out to my bear bait station tonight, I may be late tomorrow depending on what happens.” I tell my friend Jake.
“Ok, I’ll cover for you.”
“Thanks, I just finished some new arrows, hopefully they’ll be lucky ones.”
“Why do you use a bow and arrow when hunting?”
“I do it out of respect for the animals I hunt.”
“What?”
“I respect the animals I hunt. I don’t do it for the kill.”
“Then why hunt if not to kill?”
“The killing or harvesting is the last part of the hunt. The hunt is the planning, scouting, practicing with the bow, and becoming proficient with it.”
“Ok, ok, but why not with a rifle or compound bow?”
“It’s too easy”
“Too easy?”
“Yeah, I got bored with it, I could sight it in and not practice very much and still hit the target. I like getting close and with the rifle or compound I could be a ways back and still hit it. I like being up close smelling the animal, seeing it’s breath on a cold morning, watching the flies or mosquitoes buzzing around it.”
“But you take a back up gun with you right?”
“Nope, just me and my bow.”
“You’re crazy”
Yeah, I guess I am. He was probably right, I thought as I scanned the woods to see what was making the noise. I’m in the woods with a wooden bow and wooden arrows, relying on my skills to keep me safe from 500lbs of teeth, claw and muscle.
My heart was beating fast, my breath quickened, and the creature got closer. I saw movement in the brush!
My bow arm was steady and my back muscles strained to get the arrow back to full draw.
Pick a spot, control your breathing, smooth release. I told myself.
The brush parted, it was only a porcupine looking for food, not the large bear I had hoped it was.
I slowly let the arrow down and put it back in the quiver. I stood and continued my journey to the stand.
Yep, this is hunting. I thought to myself.
I got to the stand area; a bear had hit the bait station. Food was scattered around, the barrel was knocked over and the branches had been tossed away, like wrapping on child’s Christmas present. I had a feeling that something was going to happen tonight.
I climbed into the tree stand and settle in. The sun is setting lower in the sky, but I knew it would get close to the horizon and then start its journey once again to it zenith, never becoming completely dark.
The woods got back into their routine. The squirrels scampered around and frantically searched for forage. They argued and chased each other away from prime picking areas. The birds were flying, flitting around and singing.
Yes, this was hunting.
No phones, computers, or busy streets full of vehicles rushing to nowhere. No parents abusing their children, thieves stealing from friends and neighbors, or people killing and hurting each other.
I sat back, relaxed and thought about times when life was simpler. Tougher maybe, but simpler. Sometimes I wished I could go back in time, live off the land build and my own shelter. Having to rely on my instincts and woodsmanship to survive, like the animals I was pursuing. Then I thought about how much I enjoyed relaxing and watching a football game while having a cold brew. Maybe this life isn’t so bad, when I could have an evening like this to get away from craziness of modern life.
I guess that’s why I went back to traditional archery – simplicity. A piece of wood with a string and a small branch with a few feathers and a steel broadhead. No sights needed, no pulleys or cable to freeze up or break. I didn’t have to worry about losing a release. I’m using my own muscles to hold the string back at full draw.
A low growl and a click brought me back to reality.
My primal instincts had taken over, the predator was awakened. My muscles flexed to test the string, my breathing quieted in order not to give my position away. My senses sharpen; I could smell the rotted leaves and damp earth. My ears tuned in to the smallest sounds, the bee searching for the nectar from a flowering plant, the beetle crawling across the bark of the tree I was sitting in. My eyes seem to be able to detect the smallest differentiation in hues of the green foliage.
“This is hunting.”
I noticed movement to my left. Just a small rustling of bushes and a black fur.
It was a bear!
Then I heard movement behind me. I slowly look over my shoulder and see a glimpse of black moving quickly towards the bait station.
They moved into the clearing, it was two small black bears.
They were cubs, the sow was somewhere close by. The cubs went directly to the bait and began eating. Like young children, they weren’t aware of the potential danger that lurked near them. They fought over the choicest morsels of food. Snapping and growling at each other. Like my brother and I used to do over the last piece of fried chicken or biscuit. They soon tired of the squabble and continue to eat.
Suddenly, the sow appeared below the tree I was in. I didn’t hear her approach. She was on the edge of the clearing making sure there was nothing to threaten her or her cubs. I was amazed she was able to move through the woods with such stealth. She was quite large, I estimated her to be over 350 lbs.
She moved to the bait and the cubs moved away allowing her to eat. The cubs began playing with each other. Wrestling and chasing each other. The sow still was nervous; she knew something is not quite right. She looked towards the tree I was sitting in.
“Woof” she sent a warning out to the unseen danger.
The tables had turned; the predator had become the prey.
The sow moved from the bait and ambled under my tree. She was searching for the danger she sensed.
I should have been scared, but amazingly I was calm. Nature was playing out. Two predators trying not to become the others prey.
The sow was directly under the tree, sniffing around; trying to figure out what was amiss. She looked up and I froze. Her small black eyes bore through me. I looked back at her, deciding where to place the arrow should she try to climb the tree.
Jake was right, I am crazy. I should have brought a pistol with me.
I could not take the sow because she was with the cubs, but that was okay, the hunt had been successful in my mind. My quarry had come into the spot I had chosen after reading the land and signs. I had chosen well, and had not been detected.
In my mind’s eye, I had drawn my bow and released the arrow, perfectly tuned to the bow, straight and true. The shot was perfect. I saw the arrow find the spot, just behind the right shoulder. It buried itself, only the white fletchings showed. The bear quickly turned its head to snap at the object which had interrupted its meal. She ran off and I heard her crash nearby, knowing her life was over.
The cubs squalled and ran off after their mother.
I climbed down from the tree stand and found her under a tree. The sow was huge. Her coat is thick and shiny.
I thanked her for her sacrifice. I felt a tinge of sorrow at the taking of her life. But, she would provide food for my family and the hide warmth for the cold Alaskan winter.
Finally, I am brought back to the present. The sow seemed to sense that I was no threat. She turned her back and went on her way. She called to her cubs and they followed.
Next year I told her, next year.
I reflected on the events which have just unfolded.
“This is hunting.”
Thanks, Nick
Topic: Alaska Hunting story (Read 344 times)
