Tonight he watched me move
across the hard pavement with curiosity. We have rendezvoused at the same time
for the past couple of days. He quietly stands watching as I take my evening
run, not phased by the presence of a human. His muley horns have lost most of
their velvet, and by opening day of deer season I’m sure the velvet will be
completely gone. I’ve asked the guys if they have seen him, “the big five by
six on the south circle.” No, they shake their heads, “Haven’t seen him.”
I paused for a moment as his
eyes met mine, “Why do you only come out for me.” He snorted, raised his head
and stared at me. He didn’t flinch or move a muscle. His ears twitched in the
gentle sandhills breeze. Back in the trees behind him I laid eyes on two does. Their
heads were raised also, but they were more nervous. They turned and ran off
deeper into the trees, out of sight. He turned his head to look at them; he
looked back to me and snorted again. “We’ll see.” I whispered then moved back
into my run.
He was gone when I made it
back to the gate. I imagine he had followed the does. He leaves me wondering,
why he only shows for me. Each nigh he is in the same place waiting patiently,
it seems, for me to pass him. He isn’t scared of me, isn’t nervous as my shoes
hit the pavement, he’s content to watch me pass. His muley ears are always
moving, listening to the hills around him. He’s keen and alert. The one time I
passed him in a vehicle he ran quickly, but me on foot he doesn’t mind.
I’m sure when the time comes
to draw on him I’ll be left wondering why he isn’t running. Maybe our paths
were meant to cross, maybe he’s meant to be my first buck. But as smart as he
is I’m sure he’ll disappear the first day of deer season, they must have a calendar
somewhere that tells them what day deer season opens. But maybe he’s just meant
to teas me, to get me pumped up for the season so I can take something just as
big or bigger. Either way I’d be happy, if he’s staring at me on my wall or out
in the pasture, he’s something special, I just haven’t figured out what yet.
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