The Progression of a Hunter :: Hunting Sports Nature Papers

The Progression of a HunterIts three o quantify in the morning. Ive been sleeping since eight p.m., and now my alarm clock is telling me that its time to wake up. Most people are sleeping at this hour of the night, but Im just now waking up to study up my gear and head into the forest for the morning. Last night I packed my .30-06, tree stand, a small cooler full of food and a rucksack full of hunting equipment including deer scent, camouflage paint and a flash timid. Ive been planning a hunt for two weeks, and the weekend has finally come. I circumvent up from bed, shake off the cold of the morning and get ready to leave by four. Its five a.m. when I get to the dirt road turn into Ocala National Forest. I park my car in a clearing gather my gear and head into the forest with my eyes to the trees. By five-thirty Im set up in a tree, my rifle is loaded and Im quietly sipping hot coffee from my plastic thermos cup. Im well concealed by tree limbs, and I need a clear shot at the gro und below within my line of sight. My camouflage pants and jacket keep me hidden from the poor seeing of the deer below, and my height above the ground keeps the smell of a human away from the sensitive noses of animals on the ground.Six a.m. and the sky is turning a light blue. The nights shade is dissipating slowly, and I can begin to see my surroundings a little better. A shot rings out from the west, and that signals nearby hunters. I forecast they drove some game my way. Within a few minutes, there is rustling in the brush below me. A young buck is approach path within range. Hes a big one too I can see about eight points from where I am. He is cautious and sniffs at the denudate and flicks out his tongue often. His coat is a light brown color like khaki. There are white markings along his flank, and he has a short little white fluff of fur for a tail. I disengage the safety on my rifle. The bolt is forward on the gun, and I know theres a round in the chamber. I steady mys elf. I turn ever so slightly to get a better angle.