Ahh, yes the "red gods". Kipling, Buckingham, Romig - a good cast of characters for sure. Certainly the hunt is the entire experience, not just the squeeze of the trigger, which is but a moment. And... if there is known to be a big buck in an area, there will be many hoping to be the chosen one at the intersection you mention. There may be some whose goal is nothing but to break big buck records yet the records are fortuitously broken by ancient hunters or a youngster lucky enough to be at the intersection.
Now the Four-way Lodge is opened, now the Hunting Winds are loose
Now the Smokes of Spring go up to clear the brain;
Now the Young Men's hearts are troubled for the whisper of the Trues,
Now the Red Gods make their medicine again!
Do you know the world's white roof-tree do you know that windy rift
Where the baffling mountain-eddies chop and change?
Do you know the long day's patience, belly-down on frozen drift,
While the head of heads is feeding out of range?
Excerpt Rudyard Kipling The Feet of the Young Men.
He relates his appreciation of the full experience of the day, the mountain, the wind, the trees, the snow and the reason to be there - that big rack still out of range.
I have taken my share of game over the years, none of which would make the record books but every one of which is in my life's record book, which can be recalled without the turning of a single page. I am content to leave it so and enjoy the days afield for what they are - a gift freely given and accepted with grace.
Cheers,
Jack
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Hunt ethically. Eat heartily.
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