This fall I was fortunate enough to be invited on a bow hunt that brought together an unusual cast of characters for an unforgettable experience. It all began when I received a call from "Bucksmack" Hines inquiring if I would like to bowhunt a piece of property with him that afternoon. Well, that is a no brainer--so in an hour we were on our way to sit in a set of tree stands he had placed there earlier in the season.
The stand I was in had been well positioned in the top of a bushy tree with several evergreens lending further depths of concealment. It had two well used trails intersecting thirty yards away . An additional feature was the proximity to a grassy bottom where the deer were often feeding. I was in a primo location and I did see deer, but that is a story for another day. The real excitement happened at Bucksmack's stand some 150 yards away.
Bucksmack Hines had his stand on the outer bank of a pond. He could see the waterhole, several trails leading to bedding areas, and a crop of oak trees that were having their acorns gobbled up by the local deer herd. A great site that carried with it a good chance of seeing a buck well before the rut came in.
Bucksmack and I had been Ranger/Scouting leaders together for several years. One of the merits that I really enjoyed, and taught the boys in my care, was that of Indian Lore and Native American, or First Nation, studies. It was at this point that the hunting trip took a more "Twilight Zone" turn.
We have often discussed, examined, and admired the beliefs, understanding, and way of life of this continents First Nation peoples. One symbolism held by many bands, societies, and nations concerns the owl. Many considered the owl to be a creature bringing you the message of an imminent death. If an owl appeared to you a death of some sort was to soon follow.
I had been in my stand a few hours just watching the wildlife and soaking in the day. At around 4:30 I heard a bow shot followed by a loud CRACK, at least that is what it sounded like. Then I thought I heard a second arrow released followed momentarily by something that sounded like about 10 cows wading the river. I would have to wait until dark to get an answer to the questions that were racing through my mind.
At dark I found out a most interesting thing. Things had been inactive at Bucksmack's stand and he had become a little bored. He had taken his binoculars and counted seventy five frogs around the ponds edge and in the grass. After the frog count, he settled back in his stand and a most remarkable event occurred. An owl, about twelve inches high with a wing span of four feet came gliding silently thought the opening and perched on a limb two feet from Bucksmack's face. In his own words Bucksmack told me, "The owl's eyes were like glowing binoculars opening and closing to focus. First he looks at me, then into and through me. The eyes and talons were beyond intense. The talons were like glimmering knife blades. After looking me over the owl made noises like he was trying to speak to me. I moved my finger and the owl's entire attention riveted on that finger. He then "talked" to me again and momentarily flew away as silently as he came. It was intense and an experience I will never forget---his eyes, his talons, his means of speech - intense and incredible".
While relishing this experience and enjoying the "charge" of this encounter the evening then moved again. Less than sixty seconds after the owl had flown away an 8 point buck stepped from the brush at about 30 yards. Bucksmack drew his bow to full draw, settled the pin in, and loosed a shaft at the muscular buck. The arrow hit just a little high. It caught the bottom of the spine and the top of the lung. The deer dropped to two legs and Bucksmack quickly sent a second shaft, this one a double lung, into the deer. The buck then ran downhill toward the pond on his front legs. Perhaps "dragged himself" is the best way to describe it. He drug himself into the pond and got in over his head. The thrashing he made was the noise he had heard earlier. The deer was dead before Bucksmack could get out of his stand and over to him. He felt the deer drowned before either shot could have a chance to finish the job.
The most interesting thing to me is this. In relating all the specifics Bucksmack considers the encounter with the owl to be the absolute highlight of the day. In fact, one of the highlights of his life. Although he bow harvested a beautiful buck he kept coming back to the great fortune of this interlude with the owl. I know Bucksmack and he has always shown the highest ethical standard in his hunting endeavors. I have never seen anything but the greatest honor and respect shown for the animals he pursues and that I have seen him harvest.
Maybe that owl has seen it too. Maybe that owl showed up to say, "Thanks for respecting nature and creation", and maybe he showed up to say , "Thanks for taking so many years and so much time to mentor and teach these ideals to the boys you were a commander over". Maybe that owl said, "Today there will be a death. Today you will harvest a buck. Receive it with thanks, and show honor to it by your gracious attitude and proper use of it".
Now I don't speak owl yet. Maybe someday I will. But if I could understand that owl I bet what he said was something like that.
Let's All Set An Example Worthy Of Following,
Jason "The Fisher" Pence