12/04/2023
Darkness falls on another hunting season , a few distant shots, a truck door slams and 3 does meander their way like shadows in darkness along the edge of the field.
All is quiet, a stillness sets in, and a darkness like no other takes over the woods.
A darkness that also settles into the hearts of ole woodsman.
For a day or two they may seem in their silence to gaze off or be distant. Soon that will pass,
Soon there will be traplines to run, dogs to chase and the squeak and crunch of snowshoes breaking trail.
It’s a change of season you see. A season that began with brightest gold of the tamaracks, the blazon colors of far off maple ridges and rushing waters of the Raquette , the Beaver and the mighty Mad River.
A change of season that gives way to the cold, damp days of November with its shades of brown and grey and yellow grasses of a frosty marsh.
Time has brought us to another change of season. One that’s hard to swallow.
The mountain get steeper, the trail gets longer and the air gets thinner.
The ghost buck you can no longer find. His track is there but his trail is too far, too hard.
You have to turn back. What used to be a 10 mile chase now has you with an aching back and sore knees after 4.
You envy the strong young men who stay on the track where ever it takes them. Sometimes all the way to Shingle Shanty. Just like you used to.
Oh sure you will hunt hard and probably get your buck but it won’t be quite the same.
You see
the king of the woods after 40 years on the trail is just a ghost to you.
An image of the biggest of all is out of your grasp…a disappearing dream.
You tip your hat to that young strong tracker in the photo holding the biggest of them all. You know what it took to achieve such a feat as you once did.
You now realize you are in a changing season as well one that you’ll fight to accept.
You push on, force yourself to go on but as the day ends the track you follow continues on thru the dense spruce and fir.
You turn back and find value in the seat of your truck It’s a long drive home as you contemplate this change of season.
Despite your disappointment, your disbelief in times gone by… youll remember each step you take on the trail, each dam you cross, each ridge you climb.
Well sir ….it’s one you better enjoy. Cause the season is changing
-Daniel Christmas
