Leaves
changing colors and air becoming cool and brisk welcome the sounds of
autumn in southern Utah. Rustling leaves, scurrying footsteps, trying
to find warm socks and shoes or perhaps boots. Soft rumbling thuds as
coats, gloves and hats are rummaged through. Excitement in the air as
preparations are made for the family to go deer hunting. Dad sounds
the deer call and we gather in the living room. Family prayer is said
then the noise resumes.
“I
can’t find any gloves..”
“Get
in the truck.”
“Kevin,
load the guns in the back of the truck.”
“Has
anyone seen my glasses?”
“Kirk,
are you wearing my boots?”
“Dad,
where are we going this year?”
“Find
Jeff and get him in the truck. Let’s go.”
We
hear Jeff singing in the bathroom. The toilet flushes. Running water.
Out he comes. Kids run through the living room and out the front
door. The door slams shut. Dad kisses Mom goodbye. Truck doors open.
Kids scramble inside arguing over who sits where.
Dad
gets in and turns the key. The engine sputters a moment then roars to
life. “Everyone here?” As he backs out of the driveway, we wave
to Mom who is standing on the porch by the front door. The chattering
continues until we reach the mountain.
Dad
stops the truck. “Now you kids be quiet and we might see some deer.
We’re going to walk over to that rim there with that big rock. Stay
together and be quiet.”
Some
whispering happens but mostly we hear the leaves fluttering as the
wind blows through the aspen trees. Pine needles crunch under our
feet and once in a while a larger stick cracks or a rock tumbles down
a hill. We reach the spot Dad pointed out. He gets out his gun and
loads the ammunition. We take turns looking through binoculars for a
big buck. Mostly we just sit quietly watching the birds, the trees
and the squirrels, while looking for deer.
“There’s
a buck on the other side of that meadow standing back in the trees.”
Bart had been looking through the binoculars. We all squint to see
between the trees. Dad raises his gun and looks through the scope. We
all stay quiet.
“Boom!”
The gunshot echoes through the mountain but the target is hit
straight on. The deer didn’t fall though. Dad says it would
probably wander 30-40 feet before it fell. “Monica, take the girls
and two little boys back to the truck. You older boys come with me.
We’re gonna have to carry that buck about a mile and a half back to
the truck.”
About
4:00 in the afternoon we return home. As soon as we walk in the house
we smell the doughnuts Mom has made while we were gone. “Mmmm.
Yum!”
“Go
get your boots off and hats and gloves put away first.” Mom’s
guarding the doughnuts. “Then wash your hands!”
We’re
soon back for the doughnuts, eating and telling Mom of the days
adventure. Dad’s still out taking care of the deer. “I work all
day cooking these doughnuts and they’re practically gone in ten
minutes.” Mom looks tired but is not angry.
“That’s
what you get for having so many kids.” Bart grabs another doughnut.
Dad
comes in. “Well, we finally got one today. A four-pointer. It’s
hanging up in the backyard. We’ll have to get up early tomorrow
morning to get it all taken care of.” He washes his hands and gives
Mom another kiss. Then, he too, eats a doughnut and asks, “What’s
for dinner?”
Written
by Monica Zollinger, 1/16/12
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