Life by the Antlers Part 1: Begins with a Buck
“We took their land away from them. We forced them to live on reserves. We gave them only limited legal rights. Their numbers plummeted…
“We took their land away from them. We forced them to live on reserves. We gave them only limited legal rights. Their numbers plummeted and their societies collapsed.” – Paul Taylor
The elk forest trail hidden deep in Elk County was mesmerizing to Dawn and Thomas, a newlywed couple excited for their two-week-long getaway from their busy lives. They both had been going at a hundred miles an hour since their wedding and it was time for a break.
“Oh, this is it,” Dawn said smiling happily.
“Yeah, I think so. Man, there’s like no one here,” Thomas chuckled as he grabbed her hand.
She sighed, “I’m so happy we’re doing this. I don’t think I’ve ever seen elk before.”
“No? I thought that time when you were young.”
“What’d you mean?”
“Remember? I think your Dad told the story. When you guys saw that elk on the side of the road all cut up. It looked like it was hit by a truck or somethin’.”
“Oh, that was a reindeer, babe,” she said laughing. “Yeah, he was a big guy. Can you imagine if one was though? It was nasty and bloody…” she shuddered.
“Yeah, maybe don’t think about it,” he reassured her.
“I can’t wait to just breathe, you know?” she huffed. “Work has been so stressful.”
“Yeah, hun, but this is our vacation. Alright, relax,” he said, kissing the back of her hand.
Thomas pulled their Subaru into a wooded area trail where they wanted to see the elk out gallivanting. He parked it on the gravel road as the dawn was fresh. The dew was wet on the grass and the crickets chirped in the twilight air.
Thomas and Dawn both got out changing into hiking boots and packing their backpacks with food and water. Excited, they walked to the welcome center building.
Inside was small and quaint as an old ranger greeted them. “How you doin’, folks?” He gave a nod.
“Good, good,” Thomas said. “This is our first time coming this way. Anything we need to know? Any good spots?”
“Yeah, yeah, here I’ll give ya a map that shows some nice spots. You can hike all around this area and see countless numbers of ’em. It’s early so you’ll see ’em for sure, that’s when they feed. Bein’ fall, you may see some of the male elk fighting for their mates. Watch out when they do. Always keep a safe distance, alright?”
“Yeah, thanks. Just go down any trail?”
“Yep, there are some good spots marked there all around. They’re all out in the fields, you’ll see ’em. Usually, there’ll be an openin’ like a wooden fence to protect you but it’s not foolproof, but you folks look alright,” he said winking at the young couple as they chuckled.
“Wow,” Dawn said. “That’s amazing. Can’t wait.”
“They sure are beautiful. Majestic, but they live by their own rules. Oh, and one other thing — don’t name ’em. Let the wild be wild. Don’t go ‘round countin’ and namin’ all of ’em. Let nature run its course. There’s enough people already that try to outsmart the wild. I’ll tell ya one thing. You can’t.”
“Yeah, okay, great! Thank you, sir,” Thomas said as he shook hands with the ranger.
“Be safe out there, now.”
“Thanks,” Dawn called back. “Wow, sounds a lot of fun. Where do you wanna go, babe?”
“Let’s see.” He looked at the map and showed it to her. “OK, so we can go there.” He pointed to one trailhead about six miles away.
“I don’t know if we’ll make it in time, babe. Why don’t we try that one?”
“The first one?”
“Yeah, come on. If we miss ’em, we’ll be mad we did when we had a chance. What do you think?”
“OK, yeah, let’s do it, and if we want, we can go around the whole place after we see ‘em.”
“Exactly, silly,” she smiled, squeezing his hand and drawing close.
They walked through the deep green forest on the trailhead that took them to a cottage. An old man was outside raking some leaves. His house was situated right on the trail.
“Whoa,” Dawn called out. “Must be nice being on this trail.”
“Not really, It’s these damn elk everywhere. But, it’s my home. I don’t have a choice. The wife loves it though. Been here thirty years.”
“Whoa, that’s great.”
The old man’s wife came out after hearing their conversation. “He always says that. The old fool jests! You kids enjoyin’ yourselves?”
The couple stopped to chat.
“Oh, yes,” Dawn said. “It’s beautiful.”
“Not when there’s a death,” the old man said.
“What do you mean?” Thomas asked.
“Stop that, John,” his wife said, hitting his arm.
“They should know.”
“That was ten years ago. Freak accident.”
“It was horrible. You didn’t see it. I did!” They nagged each other playfully.
“See what?” Dawn asked curiously.
John paused. “It was a long time ago, but a young family came down this way. Same as you and… they were nice. Three kids, the sweetest kids I’ve ever seen. Krystal can attest,” he said pointing to his wife.
“Delightful,” Krystal said. “A shame.”
“Yeah, but they were found gored to death. They think it was maybe some big rabid elk, but never did it happen ever before or after. Not to my knowledge, but watch out. Let the wild be wild. I’m sure Big John told you that.”
“The ranger?” Thomas asked.
“Yes, he’s been around longer than I have. Good man. Just take care of yourselves. Check yourself for ticks too.”
“Damn,” Thomas said. “Well, thanks.” They said their goodbyes formally and then went their separate ways. The quiet of the forest came upon them as they walked nearer to the elk sanctuary.
“That’s crazy,” Dawn said. “Can you imagine?”
“Yeah, death by elk,” he said, grabbing her from behind.
She screamed, but then laughed, “Oh, my God! Stop, hun.” But then she laughed again. “If that’s true, then we gotta look out.”
“Yeah, you never know when an elk will be waiting with a shotgun up in a tree,” He said winking at her.
“Come on, I’m serious. If you get caught by one at least I can run faster than you.”
“Oh, is that a fact?”
“It is.”
“Well, let’s see. Why don’t we race?”
“To where?”
“When we come to the first fence.”
“When is that?”
“A long time.”
“Alright, fair enough.”
“Ready? Go!”
Life by the Antlers Part 2: Invasion
“He who stands lives; he who sits perishes.” — Māori proverbmedium.com
Life by the Antlers Part 3: Retribution
“Wildlife conservation doesn’t have to cost a cent. All we have to do is leave them alone…” – Scott Levymedium.com
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