On the Earth’s bare soil, I am taking in my surroundings. The complete darkness fills me with weariness. Cautiously, making no loud noises, I sit deathly still. The soft breeze in the rustling trees surrounds me. I’m blending into the background as if merging with the blades of grass. I wait here patiently but with alertness.

As the sun’s fingertips slowly arise across the morning sky, I easefully watch the woods awaken. Now that my eyes now clearly meet with the land, birds are singing, critters are crawling, and bugs are arising. My nostrils grasp the refreshing smell of moisture and moss that this place conveys. The rays beating on my slightly exposed skin warms me.

As I am waiting attentively a sound appears to my left. I spot the feature, and its true gentleness mesmerizes me. The animal takes each step with pure carefulness as he










approaches the spot I sit. His ideal body mass and seven points grasp my attention.
While my heart begins to accelerate he delicately steps toward the desired distance for me to ignite. I place the four cross hairs in perfect line with the dark tan fur of his inner torso. I rush to take off the safety. Nervously, I pull back the simple metal iron while causing an overpowering combustion. The smoke arises. I wait with anticipation for my sight to become clear. There he rests. It is unlike any sight observed before; yet it is a game I have played many times. The creature lies dead in his tracks. His white chest enhances the red gouge of exposed flesh. I bend down, feeling the warmth of his corpse, to make sure he is gone. Achieved? Yes. Adrenaline? Yes. Sorrow? Truly.

The human hand is evidence of true harmfulness. He came close enough for me to hurt him and now he lies here motionless. I realize now, this is only a war of one because I have taken his life for my own selfishness. His antlers now bring me ecstatic. His hide will show me warmth. His nourishments will now feed my hunger. The rest of his remains, are tossed aside. As I see my prize lying limp in the leaves at my feet, it causes a bitter sense of guilt to immerse inside me. Yet the thrill of the game will bring me back to this spot again and again in years to come.