Behind You

Central Missouri. It's during the rut on an evening hunt. I’m in a tree with my bow, just the way I like it. The light is getting soft. It’s the magic time, when the woods go quiet and every sound matters. Then I hear him. He’s a mature buck, the kind I'm looking for...not a world-class Booner but a mature buck that is a trophy to me. I'm not a TV personality with a zillion followers on social media. I'm hunting for me and the way it matters to me. He’s coming, and there’s no time left to think. I draw. I settle the pin. And I let it go.