Loveless/Shore Deer Hunt

~John Shore watching over the deer woods

A few years ago I invited a good friend of mine to bring his son and anyone else he wanted out for a deer hunt and related festivities. So, in addition to his son Luke, Matthew brought his father-in-law, brother-in-law and nephew. We had the usual good time guys have at deer camp and although it was only for one night and the following day, we created some good memories. It was definitely worth everyone's time.

I took this picture as Matt's father-in-law John kept watch from the relative comfort of our wraparound deck for any unsuspecting deer that might pass within an unsafe distance of the cabin. Like myself, John had apparently decided that for him it's not so much about the harvest as it is the experience surrounding it. I suppose he may have been standing there thinking more about his son, son-in-law and two grandsons having a good time in the deer woods than he was about actually shooting a deer himself. Time has a way of doing that: changing our view on some things and rearranging our priorities on others. In my view, there would have been nothing at all wrong with John getting up at 5 a.m. and heading straight to the woods to sit all day on a deer stand in the hopes of bringing in a nice deer--nothing at all. I just find it inspiring that O' John was simply having a good time spending a little time on the edge of civilization with his boys and grandsons. And as far as I know, he didn't have any idea I took this picture--and that's also kind of cool.

PS. Hard to believe it's dear season once again in Missouri and Arkansas. I'll of course keep you posted....