Velvet Still

An early snow caressed the land with woolen forgiveness, as well as silencing his stealthy approach to the stand.  Calvin slipped quietly into position and sat quietly, waiting for the steamy puffs of breath from his climbing efforts to subside.  When the early rays of sunlight crept over the horizon, there must be very little motion, not even the steam of his breath.  This was the day he'd planned for -- the day he hoped to get the "big one."

Nature revealed herself slowly in the crimson tapestry of sunrise.  Like a strip-tease, she revealed layer after layer of her depth:  dim orange diamonds in the new fallen snow slowly changed to gold, then to sparkling white light that could blind anyone foolish enough to stare at them.  Hoarfrost hung in huge flakes, turning common milkweed to crystal flowers that flashed and danced in the light.  Pine trees were sagging under huge cotton pillows of snow.

A movement!  Calvin caught his breath.  Time seemed to stand still as he waited. Was it his imagination?

No, there it was again.  In a nervous step, a young doe slipped silently into the clearing, then looked back.  Calvin suddenly realized he was holding his breath.  He eased it out, gently downward to hide the steam.  Another, larger doe, and another.  They moved to the bait pile, and began to feed.

Minutes that seemed like eternity passed.  It looked like "Mr. Big" -- Cal's name for the maker of the heavy tracks he had seen -- was not going to show.

"May as well take the does," he thought.

Then the smaller doe looked back toward the woods.  Cal  froze.  This time he held his breath intentionally, and waited.  Eons passed. Nothing moved!

"There!"  A thrill ran through him.  "He's coming!"

In regal promenade and with no fear, the mighty buck stepped into the clearing.  Cal's heart leaped!  It was going to happen.  Eighteen points stood out in his antlers ... some of them still with shards of velvet hanging from them.  He was oblivious to the human lurking downwind.

A slow breath of awe slipped out,  "He must go two hundred fifty pounds," Cal thought.  His mind was beginning a rapid-fire count-down, as he went through his preparations:

"Easy!"

"Don't get excited."

"Move very slowly."

"Can he hear my heart pounding?  I sure can."

"Aim carefully!  There will be only one chance for a perfect shot."

"Breathe, Dammit!"

"Ok.  Easy ... squeeze gently ...."

"That's it ... just one more step.  Head up ... Yes!"

"Click!"

The buck was a hundred yards away, but he heard the click in the stillness.  In two bounds he was into the trees, and faded from sight.  The white flags of the does were still flashing through the trees after he was long gone.

Calvin smiled jubilantly.  "Got him!"

This perfect picture would grace the fall pages of calendars for years to come.  Calvin would be a legacy in his own time.  It was a good day!

Dallas D'Angelo-Gary 97