On a Crisp October Morning

On a crisp October morning almost 25 years ago,  I arrowed this buck using a PSE Carroll Intruder bow and aluminum arrows.  My Dad helped me pull it several hundred yards through the pines and oaks. The sun was shining yet we could see the moisture in the air from our breath. We took several short breaks and discussed how fat this buck was and bounced ideas off each other about the different cuts of meat and venison jerky and sticks that could be made.  Dad was all work so we didn't stop much, we just kept right on marching; 10 steps, 10 count rest, 10 steps and repeat as we pulled the deer across the colors of the leafy forest floor. When we finally reached his truck we hoisted it up into the back. In 1993 we both were fairly strong and I don't recall that it took all that much effort. I was putting my archery hunting gear away in his truck when I heard his whistle, a low whistle under his breath that very few would have noticed except those that spent a lot of time around him. I believe he did this when he was in a relaxed deep thought... here he whistled as he rolled up the pull rope and was putting it into his tool box. We drove back home where Mom came running out with the 35mm camera.  She snapped a quick photo while wearing her moo moo and hair curlers and then went back inside the house to pour coffee and put baked goods on the table for us.  Dad and I then rinsed the deer out using the water hose.  We hoisted it up in his garage over a piece of cardboard so it could drip.  We finally then washed our hands and enjoyed coffee and doughnuts. The kind of doughnuts that came in a bagged tray with chocolate coatings, plain and powdered sugared ones each in rows. I ate two of the chocolate ones, my favorite.  Mom had WCCO radio on in the back ground and she took a phone call while dad and I were having coffee at the round kitchen table. I'm not sure who called Mom but as she was talking she made a point to proudly tell them that I had shot a deer with the bow that morning.  She sat in her favorite chair located in the NW corner of the living room with her coffee cup in her hand. The sun was still shining and coming through the windows.  My nose was drippy from the temperature change between the crisp air outside and nice warmth in the house.
Since that day I have taken over 100 more whitetail deer, but none other can measure up to those memories right there.