Hunters In Our Woods

I saw them as I sat at the end of my farm table in the kitchen.
I wanted to make sure I saw them correctly.
I got up and walked into the dining room to look out the front window.
I saw them correctly.

On our front lawn, I saw two large bucks.
The antlers were there, though not at large as I know they will be in a few months.
I tried to count the points, but could not count them from where I was standing.
Well, isn’t that ironic? I said to myself.

A few minutes before, I got a text from the head of the deer management association.
Our township has a group of hunters who bow hunt in the woods with permission.
The deer population is exploding around us.
In a few months, driving at dusk or at night will be so hazardous.

There are no hunters in our family.
I wanted to hear all about the association when they approached us for permission.
We have thick woods behind our house.
If given permission, they asked to put a deer stand in one of our trees.

My husband talked to the man all those years ago.
A few other houses in our neighborhood had allowed them to bow hunt in their woods.
They have a clearly visible sign they put on their dashboard of their truck.
They call or text the night before to ask permission to hunt.

Sometimes, they arrive before dusk.
Other times, they come in the early morning hours.
They know where to park and their vehicles are clearly marked for us to see.
They face away from the house and know the paths the deer take through the woods.

The home owner is offered the meat, though we have declined.
We would rather the meat be donated to the local food bank.
From this perspective, people are fed and the deer population is monitored.
I told my husband and the head of the association, that I do not want to see a dead deer.

The rules are strict as to how many deer one hunter can get each season.
The rules are clear as to the number of does or bucks.
A buck is preferred by the hunters, but they seem to be trickier to find.
I enjoy seeing the little fawns each season with the white spots on their backs.

When I saw the two bucks on our lawn, I had just received the text.
I gave permission for the association to come that next morning and inspect the tree stand.
They leave it up all year, but inspect it before each season, to make sure it is secure and sturdy.
The association has their own insurance policy; they simply want permission to hunt our woods.

The irony is that I see the bucks often.
They always seem to outsmart the hunters.
If the hunters come in the morning, I will see the bucks in the evening.
It is almost as if the bucks know…

God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” (Genesis 1:25-26)

Man has dominion over the animals, the birds in the sky, and the fish in the sea.
We no longer live on the prairie where our every meal depends on the success of the hunt.
However, the meat we eat, the fish we enjoy, and the fowl we roast, are gifts from the Giver.
We may not eat the meat of the deer from our woods, but someone is being fed and blessed.

The wolf will live with the lamb,
the leopard will lie down with the goat,
the calf and the lion and the yearling together;
and a little child will lead them.
The cow will feed with the bear,
their young will lie down together,
 and the lion will eat straw like the ox.
The infant will play near the cobra’s den,
and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest.
They will neither harm nor destroy
on all my holy mountain,
for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord
as the waters cover the sea.  (Isaiah 11:6-9)

One day, there will be no hunters and no hunted.
One day, but not yet.
Maranatha.
Come, Lord Jesus.

2 responses to “Hunters In Our Woods”

1. Interesting. I enjoyed my read. Thank you

   Reply

   • I am so glad you were blessed, Marilyn.
     Gina

     Reply