deer hunting, hunting gear


     Deer hunting in a certain Southern Oregon agriculture farming area has been a part of my familys recreational activities for over sixty years. The lush open fields offer a great place for deer to feed and relax; and also a perfect spot for bowhunting. It is the ultimate hunting spot. Growing up in this area of Oregon has enabled me to see and do things that hunters around the world only dream of. I have chronicled the deer that inhabit this area, and I have paid special attention to a certain buck that I have known for over twelve years. I watched him run and play with his sister and his mother. I watched him get a thorough thrashing from a much older and stronger buck during rutting season, which eventually led to him leaving the area. After a little over four years of him being gone, I resided myself to the harsh reality that he was probably dead and on someones wall, next to antique hunting gear and old family photos.


     On the fifth summer of his disappearance when I was making a map of all the game trails in our area, I saw a huge buck. He had to be at least 300 to 400 pounds of muscle, and his rack was awesome. 16 points, perfect spread, his stance was nothing less than majestic. I followed him all that morning, into afternoon, and eventually lost him in the gloaming of the waning daylight.


     I watched him all summer and into fall. He fought for the right to breed and won. The battles could be heard echoing throughout the forest, and the sound of his triumphant baying brought a smile to my weathered, worn face. That little buck came back home.