Girls Hunt Too!

Last deer hunting season my husband woke at 5:00 a.m. to brave the wind and the cold as he tracked his way out to his deer stand. I woke with him and wished him luck on his opening hunt. I tidied our little cabin and anxiously waited for his return.

Two hours later he arrived home empty handed, hungry and cold. I fixed breakfast and we watched the snow start to fall outside. Casually I asked him how cold it was outside. He said, "Pretty cold. Why? You want to try it?" Mmmmmm...."Maybe." I reply.

Shortly after breakfast, I laid down for a nap. When I woke up, my husband was dressing to head back out for more hunting. He asked if I wanted to tag along. He explained to me there was a deer stand close by that we could both sit in comfortably. I thought to myself, why not? I would finally get a chance to see what all the fuss was about.

We hiked out to the deer stand. It was 20 feet in the air. I looked at my husband and said, "Uh, no way. I have to climb a tree?!" He just laughed at me and said I could use the stairs if I preferred. "Oh," was all I could muster in response.

Once we were settled in the stand, I wondered how long we'd wait to see a deer. My husband was gracious enough to let me use his binoculars so I could look around. As I adjusted to using the binoculars, I realized how quiet and peaceful the woods were. There was a different pace about the woods with squirrels running from tree to tree and birds flitting about. I noticed I couldn't hear cars running, trains whistling, sirens blowing, dogs barking, or planes flying overhead. Instead I heard leaves rustling in the breeze, birds chirping their songs, squirrels gathering acorns, and the sound of my own heart beating. It was amazing. At that moment I had a glimpse of what God had in mind as He set forth and created the earth and life.

As I sat soaking in all God's wonder, something caught my eye. I looked through my binoculars and there she was. A doe. So beautiful. I quietly motioned to my husband. Just as he raised his rifle to shoot, she moved. Swiftly, graceful. From that moment I was hooked. I knew now why hunting was so important to my husband.

This year I'm preparing to be the huntress in the woods. I've got my blaze orange. I've got my rifle. All I need now is my perfect spot in the woods.