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This has been the most requested story
Photo sent into the "Smiles" Share-mailer
a not-for-profit publication of Moments In Time
by Benny in Kansas...to subscribe to this mailer
write: SmilesNewsletter@aol.com in subject line
write: subscribe
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"Lucky"
A Hunter's Story
by Anthony Riccardulli
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So today is my birthday but that's not why I'm writing this letter. I'm not very
good at this but would like to share this with you all so hear goes:
Today I went hunting with my bud. As most of you all know I've been
chasing a 12 pointer for the last 5 seasons with no luck. Today was a different
day though. At 8:30 AM, I saw the buck we call "Lucky." He was not alone.
He was trailing a doe we call Lady. She is a very old doe we think maybe 9 or
10 years old. She is the Matriarch of the woods that we hunt and no one is
allowed to hunt her.
She is always allowed a free pass for her years and genes. She has produced
some nice bucks and does in her life time. We figure she's responsible for at
least 3/4 of the deer on our property. Now, Lucky is an impressive buck in his
own right.
Here is what happened today, 50 yards out and coming right for me......
I thought to myself today is the day at last! What happened next I've never seen
before in all my 26 yrs of hunting. Lady stopped to lay down in the open. Lucky
rubbed a tree behind her. Then he moved in next to her.
He started to lick her and nuzzles her ever so gently. I thought they were going
to mate right there in front of me. Then he just laid down next to her putting is head
across hers, just like we do with someone we love.
Now, I'm sitting down in the stand looking through my binoculars in amazement.
I can see the white hairs on their faces as old age has set in. You can see the scares
on Lucky's face from battles past which he has never lost. Now, he in his twilight
years. He's tired, not chasing does this year and just staying with lady. I thought
to myself, could this be the last year for them both and they somehow know it?
I was faced with a dilemma as to shoot the Buck of my dreams or to pass up this
opportunity. What am I to do? It's 9:20 AM now.
Just then some does with fawns passed by, each walking by the pair still lying
together. Then something strange happened. All the does and fawns started to lick
Lady's face. I thought this was odd!
One by one, they passed her, seven in all. Then Lucky jumped up and seemed
startled like someone was coming. All of a sudden Lady let out a "BAAAAA." We
all have heard that sound before! Then nothing .....as I continued watch her. I could
see she had passed away. There was no movement at all.
I thought, maybe someone had shot her? I looked more closely thru my binoculars
and didn't see a wound on her side. Then Lucky began to lick all over her face and
neck. I asked myself, "Is he trying to wake her up or what?" Then he laid down next
to her like before, only this time with his head held up high. He stayed with her until
10: 35 AM, over an hour.
He then got up. Somehow he no longer looked the same, more like he was lost
or something. He began to make a loud grunt and stared in my direction. Still
looking at him, he slowly approached me. I felt something special towards this
animal, like we shared something together.
About 28 yards out, I stood up bow in hand at full draw aiming right behind the
shoulder. As he turned he looked back a Lady lying their motionless, then let out
a very high pitched "AWWW" Never in my life have I heard such a sound from a
deer!
As he turned back towards me, he looked straight up at me. His once proud face
seemed sad at the loss of Lady. It seemed as if he wanted me to shoot him and
end his pain at loosing his long time mate, I couldn't! As I let the bow down, he
came even closer to me.
He stopped not 12 feet from my position and just looked at me. l too looked at him
for what seemed like hours for me (but it was just a few minutes I think). I waved my
arms and said, "Not today old friend, not today." He jumped a few steps, not far.
He looked back at me, pawed the ground snorted, held his head up high and proudly
walked away from me.
About then, I heard a noise from behind me, it was my friend coming towards me.
As he came closer he said he too had seen everything from his stand. Then he told
me that he was proud to be my friend, because I didn't shoot. I asked, "Why?" His
response was: "because you care for the game you hunt".
Just like the way you care for your family and friends! You are always there to help
or listen when we need you."
This coming from the man who taught me how to hunt was very special to me a man
25 years my senior. I was pleased at his words when he said theirs nothing else he
could teach me about hunting.
Now Lucky is a buck I've hunted hard for 5 years. To let him go like that ... what does
it say of me? I hope it says I'm a responsible and ethical hunter. Also that I've
learned that sometimes the memories we have are more important than the trophies
on the walls.
I don't think I will ever see Lucky again. It is just a feeling I have about him or if I will
ever take a Buck as majestic as him the rest of my years hunting. However, I know
he will always be mine in my mind.
Lady was buried on the hill she died on. No wounds were on her, just old age. I will
miss seeing her. She has given me so much to remember her by as I will miss
Lucky too.
I hope you like my birthday present it's one I know I will cherish the rest of my days.
~Anthony
© Moments InTime 1998-2004
All Rights Reserved ® Anthony Riccardulli
Bronx, New York *If you want permission
to use this article write to:
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