One of the oldest educational writings, although often self-contradicted, explains, "A righteous man leaves an inheritance to his Children's Children while the sinners wealth is given to the righteous". This term sinner can be paralleled to many English words and seen in many circumstances. The idiot, the foolish, the stupid, the bad, the wicked, etc.. etc.. etc.. In this instance, it is the foolish one that gives up everything. Is there a man, or a person, that wants to be the fool?
At the age of twelve I went deer hunting for the first time. It was on a friends property. A Farm in Williamstown. My friend's father afforded me the opportunity to hunt. He offered me, along with his young oldest son. I was even given a scarce firearm to use, an Over-Under 16-Gauge Shotgun.
It was during, "The Rut". Droplets of Doe-in-heat urine had been scattered in two key areas of the property. As it was explained, with the reservations of a man speaking to adolescent boys, "During this time of year, this scent drives the Bucks crazy. They won't stop for anything to get at a Doe". We were showed a bottle of Doe-in-Heat urine. It was a small plastic bottle with the image of a Buck bearing massive antlers. We were told, "Don't put this one you"!
It was during, "The Rut". Droplets of Doe-in-heat urine had been scattered in two key areas of the property. As it was explained, with the reservations of a man speaking to adolescent boys, "During this time of year, this scent drives the Bucks crazy. They won't stop for anything to get at a Doe". We were showed a bottle of Doe-in-Heat urine. It was a small plastic bottle with the image of a Buck bearing massive antlers. We were told, "Don't put this one you"!
During that hunt, we did not group together and push the deer to a man perched in an ideal location. "A Drive," was what I favored, when obtaining my Hunting License. We stood patiently and separated from each other's sight. We stood almost wide opened and obvious waiting for a massive foolish and careless buck to come along and give it's life. Tricked into thinking a Doe-in-Heat was in the area.
When one revealed itself, I didn't shoot the animal. As a matter of fact, I was amazed by him. Roughly thirty yards from me emerged a six-point buck. I heard it coming and I had my weapon ready. He walked right up to the little tree with the droplets and inhaled deeply, as if reading the scent. His exhales in the cold air where clearly visible and powerful.
After repetitively examining the scent through his nostrils, he began to rub his head and antlers against the tree. Maybe he was love struck or maybe he was sad because he missed the Doe. Regardless he was fixed on the odor and clearly everything else around him didn't exist. Including a young man with a weapon that could easily kill him. It was foolish!
After repetitively examining the scent through his nostrils, he began to rub his head and antlers against the tree. Maybe he was love struck or maybe he was sad because he missed the Doe. Regardless he was fixed on the odor and clearly everything else around him didn't exist. Including a young man with a weapon that could easily kill him. It was foolish!
I really saw no reason to kill that Buck. I realized later, I could have justified it for the benefit of the others. They either wanted it or needed it, whatever being their reason. I was only there because gravity pulled me that direction. I had Venison and enjoyed the taste. However, it didn't warrant killing over observing the animal.
I believe some people can kill when they don't have to kill. I can clearly identify that I am not one of those people. I don't want to kill anything that is living, without good reason. I do, however, regret at that time I didn't consider the wants or needs of the others. After all, the point of hunting together is to increase the odds of success. We were a pack of Wolves set out as individuals seeking meat for the benefit of all. I was selfish rather than selfless, luckily for the deer.
I believe some people can kill when they don't have to kill. I can clearly identify that I am not one of those people. I don't want to kill anything that is living, without good reason. I do, however, regret at that time I didn't consider the wants or needs of the others. After all, the point of hunting together is to increase the odds of success. We were a pack of Wolves set out as individuals seeking meat for the benefit of all. I was selfish rather than selfless, luckily for the deer.
The rest of my life I pondered, "How could he have been so careless"? I heard him coming from far away. He was so loud I thought another person was approaching. He held his head high and planted his feet firmly on the hard ground. He broke branches and plowed through thickets of briars. He was breathing very loudly, while smelling the scent left to attract him and zoned-in on it's location. The Doe scent worked, it worked great! This was not typical behavior of an animal in the wild and it was quite an occurrence to witness.
The lessons from that hunt, as understood today, are numerous. Foremost, it is passion and desire that make us vulnerable. This doesn't exist only in deer, but almost all living beings. Most certainly in all living mammals. Laziness and desire bring upon the worst circumstances in our lives.
Even within actions so primitive as a Buck determined to procreate, a thoughtful person can understand some things are worth everything. Buried within the risk of walking through the forest totally unguarded and careless is a chance to secure something that will last and carry-on the thing called, "Legacy". A continuation of oneself. The cycle of life, creation a new life! Carnal instinct and drive. Was it careless or was it of the greatest importance? Was it thought or subconscious innate senses?
But it's not the careless fool that is best to be. No, not the fool or the meek but somewhere in the middle. I can only speculate about what lied beyond my sight in those woods. As a figment of my imagination, I bet there is some accuracy. Somewhere behind those thickets were other Bucks lured by the scent of the Doe-in-Heat. Possibly one was meek and scared, although desiring. That Buck wasn't willing to contend with rival Bucks. Possibly even another was willing and knew he could dominate all the other Bucks. Easily conquer the Six Point. But more mindful and patient. Maybe he caught my scent. They had to smell me, as I did nothing to conceal. Possibly he thought, "Let me see what happens to that fool racing that way first"! Maybe he recalled what happened when he was meek, yielding to a middle aged Six Pointer. One of his time that got killed by people, during the rut!
It is there where the wise sit. Balanced within rationale, acquiring knowledge, and restraint toward aggressive quick action. His action stems from observation and experience. This primitive logic can be applied to many desires and it's on an individual level varying with time! Wisdom is not intelligence. It's the ability to apply knowledge, significant or insignificant, to life circumstances.
It is there where the wise sit. Balanced within rationale, acquiring knowledge, and restraint toward aggressive quick action. His action stems from observation and experience. This primitive logic can be applied to many desires and it's on an individual level varying with time! Wisdom is not intelligence. It's the ability to apply knowledge, significant or insignificant, to life circumstances.
